Travelling to school

[morethanpotatoprints]

Have found the perfect school but not sure about travel, how much if any to allow dd to do by herself and how much accompanied.
Would appreciate your views.

The school is situated in Manchester v. close to railway station.
School starts at 8am so dd will need to be on the train at 7.00 am.
It is a 10 min walk to station from our house, through the town centre.
She will be 11.8 when she starts. The train takes aprox 45 mins and has about 9 stops, if this makes any difference.
Obviously the return journey is the same and will usually return at station about 6pm

Would you allow the entire journey yourself, none of it, or some of it.

Tia of your replies.

Hak

There has never been a question of us not allowing her to go, just sorting out the logistics. Trying to sort transport so that boarding isn't the only option. No doubt a couple of terms in she will be begging to board, but I don't want her to right at the start.

Hi morethan, you're right. I have one current and one ex-chorister. Just wondered if it was worth asking about boarding a couple of nights per week but it may not be possible. My DS has a friend who has just gone to your school for 6th form. Great opportunity and good luck to your DD.

I used to do the opposite commute, iykwim, travelling out from Victoria station on the 07.48 train, there used to be lots of kids coming in off the trains heading to that school (identifiable by massive instruments!), and down Oxford Road to MGS, MHSG etc… It's definitely do-able.

Another one here wishing your DD good luck, morethan. It's wonderful that she has such a gift and the motivation to go with it. I'm sure you'll find a way to make it all work out somehow.

Sorry, morethan, I know that- my reply was to Taz!

Sorry Hak, got a bit lost then

Toffee

Many thanks, that means a lot coming from you, you know the road we have travelled.
I'm past caring tbh, seriously. I think a school either fits or it doesn't and this seems to fit well, but who knows. I have told dd she is auditioning them as much as they are her. She met a boy at choir tonight who attends the school so she has a partner in crime now just hope they don't chatter too much now.

Would boarding really be so bad compared to that commute every day? Presuming there is lots of time in the day for music practise as well as academics, but still it seems like a lot of commuting for anyone, let alone a nearly-12 year old...

This sounds obvious, but have you tried the walk at the times she will be doing it to see if it's lonely, or busy with lots of other commuters? If there are lots of other people about I wouldn't have a problem if she doesn't.

And have you considered a bike?

I did consider the bike option as suggested up thread, thought it a good idea until dd reminded me she would have several instruments to carry.
Its still a possibility for me on the way back though.
Good point about doing the walk, will have to try that next week sometime.

ohtobe

Boarding would be a brilliant idea and its what she would like (or thinks she would)? but we are being selfish parents and don't want her to go so young. The majority of boarders are upper school as well, so not many of her age aprox 20/30 in any given years.

My ds sometimes carries two instruments on his bike. But he is a crazy boy and doesn't have to ride on roads.........

Hak

Ah, bless him. Is he not worried what will happen to instruments if he falls off.
They can be mighty expensive to fix, but kids just scuff knees and plasters are cheap
What does he play? Please don't say tuba or tenor horn as surely he'd be top heavy.

Guitar on his back in a gig bag. With school stuff and usually a games kit shoved into the front pocket. Trumpet on the back carrier with bungee cords.

Fall off? He won't fall off! He's 13, he's invincible...........