How far would you be willing to make your DC walk to school?

[WaftyCrank]

DS is 3 and due to start primary school in Sept 2011 so having to apply soon.

There is a school which is less than a minutes walk away from us and it's a good school so obviously it's our first choice but it's very oversubscribed and I am worried he won't get in.

There is another school which is about a 5 minute walk away however their recent Ofstead report which was in May was awful, all 4's and they have been told they need to improve.

The other schools nearby are all a 20-45 minute walk away.

So I'm not sure what to do. Do I apply for the closest ones even though one got such a bad report. Or do I apply for ones further away as they are better schools?

I will have DS, DD who will be 2 and a 6mo old when he starts.

20 minute walk for them or you? Our walk takes the children 20 minutes, but I can do it much faster. Think I could personally handle up to 30 mins each way at child speed, but not more.

Have you been to visit them yet? I'd make up my mind depending on how the school felt and then consider distance.

Practically I probably wouldn't consider anything longer than a 30 min walk - we currently do 20 mins which is fine - as they get older they can cycle etc which makes it quicker.

Hi,

My Dds started walking to school every day when they were 5. Before that we walked and drove 50:50. It's about a mile and a quarter each way. It takes them (and me/another adult - we have a walking bus system, see if there are any near you) 25 - 30 minutes in the morning.

How big is the school very near to you? If you are very near to it then that should at least improve your chances of getting in there.

I would say up to about 30 minutes walk should be all right and would apply for the schools you like. It doesn't mean that you wouldn't be allocated the school you don't like, but I think you should at least try for the ones you prefer.

Also - if the school you like is a minute away, surely you're in catchment and would have a really good chance of getting in? Go and look at the on with the poor report and talk to them.

When both my DC started school they were absolutely shattered at the end of the day.

So while a 30 minute walk might be ok first thing, at the end of a long day in the rain /wind / snow it may be a bit tricky. Although less so as they get older

I have looked round the closest one and really liked it. I was put off the other one due to the Ofstead report but will go and have a look and talk with them.

If he got into the closest one then that would be perfect as DD starts the local preschool in September but if we have to walk 20-30mins to school then she wouldn't be able to go.

I am hoping to learn to drive soon so if he does get in one which is quite a walk away at least I could get him there but it would be until next year at the earliest so would need to walk for at least the first few terms.

I really hope we have a good chance of getting in the close school as I'm really happy with it but they take children who's parents have attended church first and as I wasn't aware of this we haven't attended and have missed the cut off point for attending.

DS has a speech delay and is being assessed for aspergers so I really want to make sure I make the right choice for him.