May I point out that, if your child goes to its catchment school and you live more than two miles away from said school, the council is obliged to provide free transport for your child to and from that school? Not only that, but if your children do not go to their catchment school, you may still be eligible for transport, although you may need to pay.
My children (who do not go to their catchment school) are picked up from my drive at 8:20 every morning and returned at 3:45. Which means, no school runs, no school-gate politics, no stress, and a longer working day for me. Everyone's a winner. For this privilege, I pay the equivalent of £1.70 a day for two children (less than the cost of time and petrol that two trips to school would cost). Obviously, I can still go into school as and when for specific occasions ... but I can avoid the hassle most days.
While I understand that not everyone wants to put children on a bus, I am constantly amazed at how many people do not even know the option exists. I also think it could significantly help reduce school run congestion at rural schools if more people took up the option.
So, do you use it, or could you?