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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Long walk to school

36 replies

HearMeSnore · 23/08/2022 10:41

DD starts secondary school this term. It's a 40 minute walk there and back. I will be walking with her until she's confident going alone, but I can't help feeling nervous about her walking by herself. She's a total scatterbrain and has no sense of direction. She managed to get lost when she went for her first trial day, and she only had to walk to the end of the road where I was waiting for her.

Her new school has a strict, absolute "no phones" rule. No exceptions. Not even smart watches.

I'm just wondering whether it's possible to use an air-tag attached to her bag, so I can find out where she is in the event that she doesn't arrive home when she's supposed to? I've never used an air-tag before so have no idea if they can be used in this way.

If not, other ideas are welcome!

OP posts:
redskyatnight · 23/08/2022 10:44

40 minutes is a not unusual length of walk, but definitely practice if she's not used to walking on her own. Is it likely she'll meet up with others going from your direction? You could also consider cycling.

I'd check whether the phone rule only applies to phones within school. It seems very odd that a school would not allow students any means of getting in touch with parents on their way home.

TheTeenageYears · 23/08/2022 10:48

That's a massive amount of liability for a school to take on if students aren't allowed to carry a phone with them to and from school for their own safety. We don't live in an age where you just knock on a random door when in need or speak to a stranger. I would double check that rule - not sure I could send a child there if that really is the case. Imagine what other completely illogical rules they'll enforce.

Ramble0n · 23/08/2022 10:49

My kids walked that distance to secondary school. It is a scary thought at first especially if they are not used to walking anywhere alone. They soon get used to it and find other kids to walk with.

Are you sure they are not allowed a switched off phone that has to stay in their bags? That's what I would do anyway.

PuttingDownRoots · 23/08/2022 10:54

When you walk with her... talk about the route. Numbers of roads you cross, street names etc. It will help cement the memory. Print this out, so she has a little aide in her pocket.

Gradually reduce how much you walk with her.

(I have no sense of direction. I have to do this sort of stuff myself)

Jules912 · 23/08/2022 10:56

Are you sure it's no phones allowed on school site? The school my DC will likely go to is no phones to be seen or heard during the school day. Everyone has one but turns them off and puts them in their bag/locker when they get to school.

leccybill · 23/08/2022 11:01

Can she cycle/get the bus? Mine walks 25 mins, it didn't seem like much to start with but after Year 7 of heavy bags, rain, wind etc, she doesn't love it.
The good thing was that she signed up to some after school clubs 3 x week so I can pick her up at 4.30/5, which reduces the walking.

17CherryTreeLane · 23/08/2022 11:02

My DC walk that distance no problem. If she's nervous finding her way, are there any friends she can walk with? I'm not aware of any secondary aged children round here being walked to school by a parent.

Meltingsocks · 23/08/2022 11:03

You're over thinking this. Of course she can use a phone to and from school. School cannot control that, she just needs to switch it off and place in bag.

AceSpades54321 · 23/08/2022 11:06

40 minutes seems a lot to me! Can you get her a bike? Also could she have one of those car GPS things, then she could have a map and directions read out to her to stop her getting lost.

Plumbear2 · 23/08/2022 11:08

Check with the school to see if they allow phones switched off and kept in their bag . That's allowed on my children's school due to the amount of people having phone apps for buses to and from school.

MicksMate · 23/08/2022 11:23

40 mins is fine, not knowing the route is not. Spend the next 2 weeks teaching her the route. Start her off with a printed map with the route marked on it if you are really sure about the phone thing. Practice lots, point out landmarks. Don't leave it until she starts.

I would be amazed if they are actually banned from having a switched off phone in their bag. It's a safety thing for the journey. Either way she needs a printed map as back up and you need to teach her how to use it.

SheWoreYellow · 23/08/2022 11:25

An air tag will tell you where she is every time she walks close to another iPhone.

It would be better if she can call if she gets lost though? Surely she can have a phone in her bag.

LaFemmeNicola · 23/08/2022 11:25

Yes, you can use an air tag for this. Once she learns the route would cycling her a better option?

Original poster
HearMeSnore · 23/08/2022 11:28

I have checked already. Phones are not allowed even switched off and kept in bags (although I don't see how they would know.)

On occasions when students might need a phone - if they are going somewhere straight from school or something - they must hand the phone in at the office in the morning and return for it at the end of the day. A bit of a faff but this may be our only option until she settles into the routine and/or we find a workaround.

Cycling isn't an option. Not yet at least. Most of the route is a very busy road (not to mention uphill nearly all the way home). She can ride a bike but not anywhere near well enough for that.

There is a bus, but if she has to leave via the office to pick up her phone, she'll miss it. So we can do one or the other. Bus or phone. Confused

Anyway the length of the walk isn't really the concern. She's used to walking - it was a 25 minute walk to her junior school until we moved house. I'm just not happy about having no means of contacting her.

Anyone got any advice on the air-tag idea?

OP posts:
Ramble0n · 23/08/2022 11:41

Why can't she get the bus? Then she will only have to find her way to the bus stop. Honestly though she will get used to it faster than you think.

I'm pretty sure most kids will have phones in their bags too.

FunsizedandFabulous · 23/08/2022 11:47

Ridiculous rule about the phone. My DD's school lets students have a phone off in their bag, and they are only allowed to use it offsite and outside the school day. There has been an occasion when my DD needed to tell me about a police incident near her school so that I didn't get worried and to say she was going home a different way. Sometimes kids need to call their parents urgently!

Whatwouldscullydo · 23/08/2022 11:49

Put the phone in her bag.

Unless they are going to do bag checks they won't know. U less of course she starts pulling it out in school.

If she sticks the the rules she will be fine.
Stick the phone in her bag.

xyzandabc · 23/08/2022 11:55

That is a ridiculous rule about phones. How on earth do they enforce it? Bag check every pupil every day? How would they even know if someone just had a silent phone in their bag?

My DC get the bus to school and the bus pass is now an app on their phone. No other way to get the bus pass. They are not allowed to have a phone out during the school but no problems with it just being in their bag. Many have long journeys and absolutely need it to be able to contact parents if there are any bus issues. They also occasionally use them in lessons.

In your situation, I would send her with a phone in her bag but with very strict instructions that it must not be taken out of the bag during the school day. It's for the journey to and from school only.

LaFemmeNicola · 23/08/2022 11:57

HearMeSnore · 23/08/2022 11:28

I have checked already. Phones are not allowed even switched off and kept in bags (although I don't see how they would know.)

On occasions when students might need a phone - if they are going somewhere straight from school or something - they must hand the phone in at the office in the morning and return for it at the end of the day. A bit of a faff but this may be our only option until she settles into the routine and/or we find a workaround.

Cycling isn't an option. Not yet at least. Most of the route is a very busy road (not to mention uphill nearly all the way home). She can ride a bike but not anywhere near well enough for that.

There is a bus, but if she has to leave via the office to pick up her phone, she'll miss it. So we can do one or the other. Bus or phone. Confused

Anyway the length of the walk isn't really the concern. She's used to walking - it was a 25 minute walk to her junior school until we moved house. I'm just not happy about having no means of contacting her.

Anyone got any advice on the air-tag idea?

There are other options than air tag that use a phone signal and GPS. Have a look at “GPS tracker” on Amazon or eBay, or at Vodafone’s little child tracker.

There are watches to do this too.

SirenSays · 23/08/2022 11:57

Is it a public bus or one put on by the school?
Just tell her to be careful if she does take her phone. At my old school we always had random bag checks. I had a little hidden zip pocket in my bag that teachers couldn't find.

FawnFrenchieMum · 23/08/2022 12:00

One of our local schools has the complete phone ban as well, they are not allowed them even switched off. They do ad hoc bag searches.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 23/08/2022 12:03

I would send her with a very basic phone that doesn't take photos. Be VERY clear it's ONLY for Emergencies off the school premises. she mustn't take it out of her bag at school At All.

what's the actual distance she needs to walk? There's no one else local she'd like to bus/walk with.

I do think you need to do this between now & starting. Having mummy walk her to school in year 7, is not going to be a good start for her.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 23/08/2022 12:05

Put the littke phone in a makeup bag type thing & put a paid off knickers & some pads/tampons in at the top. They're unlikely to delve further if they do a bag check.

Meltingsocks · 23/08/2022 12:05

Come on OP don't be so passive. Sew a secret compartment into bag or get her to keep it in a wash bag marked 'period products'.

Schools need to be taught they can't overstep. Banning the carrying of a phone which it switched off is over stepping their remit. Teach your daughter some resourcefulness here!

FawnFrenchieMum · 23/08/2022 12:09
  1. MOBILE TELEPHONES/TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES 25.1. Years 7 to 11 25.1.1. Mobile telephones have proved to be a source of constant disruption. Staff waste valuable time dealing with issues such as theft, losses, texting during lessons and lessons being disrupted by call tones and vibrations. There are also increasing concerns surrounding text bullying and taking mobile phones in to public examinations, which is strictly forbidden. Mobile telephones are, therefore, prohibited in school for Years 7 to 11. 25.1.2. Any devices with the capability of recording footage or sound and taking photographs are prohibited. This includes ipods, MP3 players and SMART watches (this list is not exhaustive). POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE POLICY 17 October 2021 25.1.3. Academy Procedures: 25.1.3.1. All mobile phones found on the Academy site will be confiscated. These will only be returned to an adult by appointment at the end of the next day after the phone has been confiscated (3.00pm) following its confiscation or later. If a phone is confiscated on a Friday, it will not be available for collection until the following Monday at 3.00pm at the earliest. Phones will not be returned before the end of the following day, without exception. 25.1.3.2. On the first occasion, the student will be placed in isolation. 25.1.3.3. Any student who breaches the mobile phone policy more than twice will have their phone kept for two working days starting on the day after confiscation. This means, for example, that phones confiscated on Thursday will not be returned until Monday at 3pm and if on Friday, not until Tuesday at 3pm. 25.1.3.4. Students who persist in bringing mobile phones on site may be subject to an external exclusion. 25.1.3.5. The Academy retains the right to search for phones if a student is suspected of having one in their possession. Students who refuse a search will be sanctioned appropriately and parents may be requested to immediately attend school site to resolve the issue. Students who refuse to hand over their phone will be subject to further sanctions (they will remain in isolation until the phone is returned to school with the SIM card in the phone.) If this matter persists for an extended period of time, school may decide to place the student at an alternative provision.