What age did your children start walking to school alone?

[NotSoCheerySnail]

When did your children start walking to/from school by themselves?
We live in a small village and the walk to school is only about 8–9 minutes, but there’s one fairly busy road they need to cross, plus several smaller ones.
DS has just started Y5 and they’ve been told they’re allowed to walk to and from school independently. Obviously, all his friends are now keen to do it, and DS wants to as well!
He’s very sensible and I do trust him — he already walks to friends’ houses by himself and pops to our local shop. I think it’s actually the group aspect that worries me more, as I can imagine them getting distracted or messing about near the roads.
What age/year did you let yours start walking independently? And would you get him a smartwatch so he can call me if anything happens, or is that overkill?

Mine started after about the second week of school, so age 5. There was a lollipop man to help them across the busy road.

Year 6.
There's a busy A road to cross. I worry every day.

Oh wow! My daughter is starting school next week & can’t imagine sending her in by herself! There’s a high chance she’d end up somewhere chasing butterflies or collecting pebbles 😊
i wish there was a lollipop person in our school too.

Where and when? Most UK schools would not consider this acceptable or safe.

At age 10

Understandably!

Mine were last year of Primary I think, so 10-11. It was about 15-20 min walk but they walked together and with a friend from our street. There is quite a busy main road along the route but only had to cross once, and it’s a proper crossing with lights. There were also lots of other families walking the same routes as there are several Primary schools in our area.

In the 90s? 🤔

Year 5. It's a busy route though so plenty of parents who will report in silly behaviour like walking out rather than using the crossing.

7 . But it was back in the early 80s. I got 2 busses to school on my own at 6 in the 60s

After Easter in year 5 (school policy) but I made them walk a slightly longer route so they could cross the main road where the lollipop man was.

Beginning of year 5. Neither of my boys have been an issue and it’s about a 20 minute walk. Couple of busy roads

can you request a lollypop man?

Never lived within walking distance of school as we don’t use the local catchment schools so will never have to consider this but those who do look about year 5/6 when they’re unaccompanied.

NE Scotland. Kids still do this.

Yr4... but we can pratically see the school gate. Busy road, but a Lollipop crossing at school times, and a pelican crossing further away. I had to pick her up until Yr5 though. They had a road safety lesson before being allowed home alone.

Can you compromise eith seeing him across the busy road initially?

Primary 4 in Scotland - that’s when the parent doesn’t need to collect from the door. So age 8. New build estate so all kids walking home to same area

Our schools don't lay down rules about when kids can walk to and from school.
Loads of them walk home for lunch too.

Mine started walking home in January. Now he’s in year 6, he’s started walking to school as well. It’s quite handy as his younger brother has just started reception at a different school in the opposite direction.

End of Year 4.
2 busy roads with zebras and a 1.3 mile walk.