20-25 min walk to school

[Mycuppatea]

Trying to decide on primary schools for reception next Sept. My preference is a 20 min walk away, does anyone do similar? There is no parking and standstill traffic so driving isn’t an option, just worried about the heavy rain days and the knackered 4 year old (August born so one of the youngest). The schools we mostly like the sound of are all 20, 25, 30 min walk.

There is a school closer, just over 10 mins walk but I’m not as keen. It’ll go on as one of our six options but not very high up.

I understand that I may not get either (application is a preference, not a choice etc.) so just trying to get opinions on the walk.

Is that at your walking speed, or his? Only asking as our school is allegedly 11mins walk away but it always takes us at least 20.
Saying that, as he won't always be 4 and you will have several years there, I would put your favourites down.

Great question! It’s more like 30 mins at her pace, I was planning on doing a test walk before the application deadline.

She’s got a scooter but isn’t massively into using it, could try and encourage that more in the lead up. Although lots of roads to cross so may be more hassle than it’s worth 🤦‍♀️

I wouldn't rule a school out because of the walk, like a pp said he wont always be 4. My ds school is about a 15 min walk away if I'm walking on my own but 20 or so with ds walking. The scooter definitely helps though!

I've gone from a 5 minute walk at inquisitive 3 year old speed to a 10 minute adult brisk march.

School age DC is fine, the problem is younger siblings once they're less keen on the buggy...

I'd have no problem with a 20 minute walk with 1 school age DC, add in younger siblings and it gets to be much more of a mission!

If 30 minutes is your longest option I can't see any problem with this at all. I'd say it takes us 20 minutes to get to school but we walk 30 minutes walks (and more) almost every day

Can I just say though that honestly from now until she starts school she'll be so different, walking wise
I would honestly say don't let how she might be now put you off
I was a bit put off by how far away a school was but looking back I needn't have been we'd have been fine

Thanks! I guess she’ll only get faster right?! No siblings to worry about.

The 20 min option is a less busy walk, mostly side roads, the other options 30 mins etc are really busy dual carriageway walks, which even when it’s not hammering it down are not very pleasant.

When she’s motivated (a farm or the seaside) she will happily walk for hours. I’m really trying to follow my gut, just second guessing myself because it’s further than the easiest option

Ours is about 25 mins each way and we walk (7, 5 and 1 year old).
7 year old still moans a bit in bad weather even though we’ve done it since she was 4. I just don’t listen!

That length of walk for that age group is actually a positive thing. The walk became our 'extra curricular activity' so to speak.

Defo Put the ten minute away school down though. I don't know what your area is like but round my way you wouldn't have a hope of getting a school a twenty minute walk away; there'd be too many closer children.

With the weather, do they go in wellies and change? Just imagine she’d be sat in soaking tights all day if not.

The closer schools are crazy over subscribed, last year one had 554 applications for 90 places, 41 places went to siblings. On paper we have more chance with the further away schools, but I know that can change in a year

Ours was that far, and it was worth building up stamina for long walks over the summer before starting - ds coped pretty well walking and later scooting, but other kids on the same road, who were generally fitter, struggled.

Worth checking for decent coverage shoes though - you want boots for a walk, not crappy Clarks girl shoes which are open over most of the foot. Luckily DD can wear any black footwear - and I've found Shoe Zone black boots to be better quality than both Clark's and an expensive brand from Battersea which both split after a few months.

And good warm waterproof coats, for you and them.

You can always tow her on her scooter if she gets tired or you are in a hurry.

Scooters are great for pulling along tired little ones at the end of a long day. I used to get my 4 year old to stand on hers and I'd pull her home! We have a 20 min walk and it's fine

My sons is two miles away and we've walked every day since he started (in yr 5 now)It's fine, they quickly adapt.
Agree with good proper shoes. we've walked in storms,snow,haill and heat waves and good shoes are a must.

Now he's 10 I value the walk as it's time it's just me and him just chatting away.

It's fine. Ds's now at secondary but primary was just under a mile. Took 3 minutes to drive, 20 minutes to walk which was through the park and really pleasant.

My August born walked for 40 mins every day to school, and his brother walked with us from about 2 (refused to go in pram)

Waterproof trousers, good waterproof coat and wellies which we'd change when we got to school.

Don't rule out your fave school because of a walk. They do get quicker, by yr 6/yr 2 we could do it in under 30 mins.

Used to take us 20 minutes to walk to school in reception. Climbing on walls and and completely not rushing. Y5 now and it takes 6 minutes.

We walk 10 minutes each way each day. A scooter massively helps. It is really good for fitness levels. 20 minutes may be tiring up until about year 4 especially if school is very sporty but great opportunity for chats. We have ear muffs, gloves etc and she wears trainers not shoes as more comfortable. Fitness level is great.

Thanks so much, this is really reassuring!

Also pulling the scooter, hadn’t even thought of that, great idea!

It'll be fine. Get a bike and attache a trailer the kids can sit in and be covered in bad weather if need be. Half the parents at my DD's school use these as there isn't any parking and traffic is a nightmare. I do the walk which is about 20-25 minutes and its rarely so wet we can't do it. A good raincoat with a hood can deal with most of the weather in this country!

They have versions of the trailer that attach to the front or back of a bike and they can be used with an electric bike if its hilly.

www.aosom.co.uk/item/homcom-2-in-1-child-trailer-in-steel-attribute-black-red~5664-0101RB.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1aNe-JxY2It2rvVLLZplnQa7_mCJ47boz4LPne3EHbnnEOphDjlHiRoCG9UQAvD_BwE

My DS started reception in September and it takes me 15 minutes adult casual stroll which equates to about 25 minutes with DS. Half is through a park and half is next to a main road.
Sometimes we use the scooter. If the weather is bad then I drive half way because the parking is awful near the school.
And, like a PP, we consider the walk an activity together as DS loves buses so we look at them and the different types of cars/minibuses/look at road signs etc. I really enjoy it and it’s good exercise for me.

Scooter or bike. Both can be pulled along if needed. I used to hold my youngest's elbow while she was on her bike to help her along.

A 25 min walk is fine for a child - but you will actually be walking for an hour and a half a day, possibly whilst carrying/pushing a scooter for some of it. Do you have time in your day for that?

Ours is about a 20 minute walk and ds manages it fine. I also have a buggy with me. We do it in all weathers as I cannot be bothered to fight for a parking space in the traffic. I just put his puddle suit on over his uniform and wellies and then change him quickly before he goes in (luckily his classroom has a waiting area under a roof). Don’t let distance put you off a good school x

I was going to say what @BestZebbie said.

You are going to walk 30 ins there - few mins hanging around, then 30 mins back. Then, in the afternoon 30mins there - 10mins or so in the playground waiting, then 30mins back. Do you have that time, for the next 7 years ? Do you not work, and are you planning not to for 7 more years ?
At a local school, they will be able to walk home themselves in the last couple of years (perhaps more difficult for a 30 min walk along buy roads), but, more crucially, you will get to know other families near by, so, when you are out of action for one reason or another (lets face it, any of us can need an operation, or have an accident and break a limb, or even just have d&V one day) they will take / fetch for you. a 30minute walk away means you will be unlikely to have that sort of support.

Plus, what about when they take up cello lessons ???

It depends, obviously, on how great the difference between the schools is, but I would consider living near to the school a real plus.

If you really like one that is 30mins away, which you say has no parking / traffic is bad, is there a place you can drive to that halves the walk, on those days when it is more of a challenge to walk.