walking to school

[eddiemairswife]

What do people think is a reasonable distance for a secondary pupil to walk to school? I am tired of hearing parents (during school admission appeals) insisting that their child can't possibly walk more than about a mile, especially in the winter when it is cold and snowy. We haven't had snow here for several years, and, and anyway schools seem to close when the first flake is sighted. I know what the Government guidance on distance is, but would like to hear what other parents feel.

@SilkieRabbits

I would say 30 mins but depends on safety of route and what its like, mine have a 5-10 minute walk to school but to get to another secondary they've have to walk down country roads with no pavements and cars going 60mph. In some areas there's a lot of crime, if it was a route there'ld be incidents of kids being stabbed etc, mine would not be walking it.

I agree. One of mine goes to school in an area with high instances of crime and teens being stabbed. Another was stabbed last week, aged just 14. Kids are attacked on the bus etc.

He gets a lift to school.

I dont think it's as simple as just distance, a walk across a safe town - loads of us used to walk 50ish minutes or cycle it. No footpaths or walking across fields to get to school, more than a mile seems a bit horrible in winter

I think time rather than distance. Also, I would not be happy with my teens (or younger) walking on dark roads loaded down with heavy bookbag and sports kit in winter in a school uniform. Plus with the amount of homework any more than half an hour and it would be: 'I know you've just spent 8 hours at school then long walk home but get your books out for homework'.
30 minutes journey tops, whether walking, cycling or public transport.

It’s quite sad (and a bit nuts) that school appeal panelists think it’s normal for a child to walk just under an hour to school every day back and forth in all weathers carrying backpacks etc. Maybe they should try doing that commute themselves before inflicting it on a child

3miles or cycle

Most students at DC's school live within 3 miles and the majority walk or cycle.

I do however wonder if there is a link this year with "unhappy with DC walking" and Covid. The number of Year 7 parents that are driving their children to and from school is substantially higher than in other years. And I can't imagine that they live in a significantly different range of places to any other students.

@XelaM

It’s quite sad (and a bit nuts) that school appeal panelists think it’s normal for a child to walk just under an hour to school every day back and forth in all weathers carrying backpacks etc. Maybe they should try doing that commute themselves before inflicting it on a child

I think it's sad that many people think a walk or cycle of a couple of miles - yes in all weathers - is so unacceptable (and yes, I did walk to work regardless of the weather, before Covid forced me to wfh).

My DD walks 1.5 miles to school. I think it's the perfect distance actually, what with the Covid timetable & closure of extra curricular activities, she wouldn't get much physical exercise without her 3 miles of school commuting each day.

3.2 miles my dd new school. She starts in sept. No chance will she be walking as it isnt a nice walk or simple. However there is a school bus. I'll take her daily and school bus home

My DD’s school is 2 miles from our home. She walks home every day and gets a lift to school about 50% of the time, depending on where I am working that day. This is regardless of weather or what lessons she has that day (she does GCSE Art and Music so often has a portfolio or instrument to carry) She does have lace up shoes and wears a coat when needed (usually!) but I honestly think this is not in any way unreasonable! It is all urban so pavements and lighting all the way and we live in a small(ish) city.

DS12 I drive to and from school as it would probably take an hour or more to walk.
DS10 walks to school. (10 mins but no roads to cross). Obviously it totally depends on roads/area etc but I wouldn't be happy with them walking more than 20 mins in a not-dodgy area.

Although high school kids are CAPABLE of walking a couple of miles carrying school bags in peeing rain, snow etc, I personally wouldn't want to DO it. It's pretty miserabl
Yup!

I remember you had to live over a mile to cycle to school when I was young. That school is no longer a school and the cathment one is 2 or 3 miles from my hoome. I think a lot of kids walk.

It’s four miles to DD’s school. I take her every morning as I don’t want her on the bus. On an evening she walks halfway home and I pick her up from there. I think anything up to an hour is reasonable on a regular basis. Plus it’s enjoyable walking with friends.