Secondary school commute

[Chooseyourhard]

How much time do you think it is acceptable for a child to commute to their secondary school?

We are looking at 2 hours (although the distance is not that far, its rush hour traffic) for the most suitable school, 30 minutes for one that is not as suitable.

The social element needs to be taken into consideration too of course.

DfE recommendation, July 2014, is that 75mins max is reasonable for children over 11. Irrespective of how they travel eg: walk, bike, bus etc.

2 hrs seems a very long time - morning and evening.
What does the commute involve? Lots of changes of transport/walking or a sustained period on a bus/train where they might be able to get some homework done?
Also if they are staying for after-school activities/sports, that would make a very long day.

Is that 2 hours each day (an hour there, an hour back)? Doable if it's a straight forward journey.

Or 2 hours per journey? Because that would be insane IMHO - few adults would want to do a 2 hour commute at the start and end of a working day, 5 days a week, nevermind a teen for potentially up to 7 years.

I wouldn't contemplate putting my child through that: either move closer or choose a different school.

Is this to help form an appeal?

Through bitter experience it rarely holds much weight.

My ds has autism and was expected to get 4 buses a day at 11 and go to a school miles away with dangerous roads to cross.

Only asking because i was asking the same question 3 years ago.
I would say under an hour travel maximum for secondary.

well dd's is 20 miles (train (with one change) then bus) - she leaves home at 7:15 & gets back at 4:15. It's fine, the trains are packed with school kids at that time (though most going in the opposite direction to dd!). She's going in from out of catchment but doesn't have the longest commute (rural area, huge catchment). It's an area with lots of private schools & a couple of grammars so long commutes is not unusual.

2 hours is ridiculous, IME
Would you like to spend 4 hours travelling to and from work?

Is there the option of a train?

An hour door to door seems normal and reasonable round here, one way. much more than that is too much I'd say, hour and a half max. Though DS is at school, in Croydon, with someone that comes in from Islington which seems a long way to me, not sure how long that must take.

2 hours one way: insane
1 hour one way: just about ok for the right school

2 hours each was is insane, to where I'd say it's not the most suitable school due to distance. I wouldn't want to spend 4 hours a day travelling in rush hour traffic, I wouldn't expect a child to either. If they do after school activities the commute means they will drag well into the evening. Their friends will be far away. I wouldn't do it.

Wow some of these commutes sound awful! I'd draw the line at 3 miles!

Private or State?

If state, then how does someone in Islington even get into a school in Croydon?

@gavelravel the overground goes From Highbury to west Croydon so dependent on where school and home are it could be as little as 50 minutes on one train

I'm not sure where he lives but he apparently does tube, train to EC (from Victoria I think) then the bus. I'm getting all this from DS though so could be nonsense. he definitely comes through Clapham Junction to East Croydon then onto the bus which is quite a shlep anyway. mind you lots of them do. I think number of hops count too so more than 2 forms of transport would be hard work I think.

Also know a family who go to a state school similar area who moved to Brighton after last sibling got in so that's Brighton to zone 6 Surrey every day. Not bad journey I suppose when the trains are working (loads of people commute London to Brighton for work I guess) but that just seems weird to me to be at school completely, way out of your local area. Again though, loads do it.

Heck of a hike. I guess he gets victoria line from Highbury (which I do and is horrendously busy although he may get it earlier than me). Agree that number of changes bothers me more than numbers of stops

If you are talking 2 hours each way that is far too long.
It will be exhausting. Then homework to be done. Massively eats into time for clubs etc. Socialising will be nigh on impossible. No way would I consider it. It is not suitable, as it is way too far away.

If you mean 1 hour each way I would still think again. DD1 has a 1 hour commute to 6th form (2 trains plus a walk at the far end). It is a lot and it is a real pain if trains are late etc. She finds it pretty tiring. Unless perhaps you live in London and this is standard commute for many pupils.

However I've never commuted for longer than 30mins, and my DD's secondary is a lovely 15min stroll away, so I may be skewed against travel.

2 hours each way?!
No - that's too far!
I'm stressing about a 50min commute

A 2 hour commute doesn't make it the most suitable school, it makes is completely unsuitable.

DH does a two hour commute (each way) to work and back every day. It is relentless. Don't subject your child to that for seven years (beyond ).

Too much, I remember a student last year having an awful journey, at least 2 hours.

I would (and did) draw the line at a 45 min commute. Currently Dd does 10 min slow walk to train station 20 min train journey then 15 min slow walk...sometimes there are faster trains home. Do not underestimate the effect of getting up earlier/starting a new school/after school clubs has on energy levels Dd was shattered through most weekends of y7.

're social element...a lot depends on the school. Dd school isfull of after school clubs and takes from quite a large area ..socialising during week seems to happen at school in these clubs or a trip toCosta in town after school etc. Weekends consist of shopping trips to a bit city that is actually nearer to.my home then the school is or another big town..which is an easy journey for all on the train

smelly

That's the same journey as my child's.

He socialises after school with the pals from his train and who live relatively nearby, though.

Hello mums, i'm thinking of Kingham Hill School in Oxford for my 12year old son to start year 9 this September. I get a good vibe about the school but concerned that it's not listed in the good school guide and the Academics not so great. Please can I have your thoughts and any existing parent who can please shed some light. Thanks

Kemmy

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