Public bus to secondary

[Jumpering]

My DD is due to start secondary in September and is turning 11 at the end of August. To get there she will need to get a public bus. It’s a 30-40 minute journey with a 5 minute walk at either end. The 5 minute walk at the school end is a busy town centre which can be slightly rough. My main concern is that the bus arrives half an hour before school starts and leaves 45 minutes after school ends. Is she going to be capable of this or do I have to drive her? I’m torn between letting her have some independence and going nuts with worry!

The other thing to think about though is after school activities and returning home after those , also them coming home after a busy day if they're exhausted (my child finds this tricky but she is ND) - or if your child could get there, could you pick up after picking the youngest up and have older child wait in the library/ canteen'/if thats available?

I'd send her on the bus, at senior you can go in early, but pick her up and encourage her to join all the after school clubs or use the time to do her homework in the library. Both are a great way to integrate with school life.

Check what time school gates open, ours open 30 mins early and they can buy toast in the canteen so they have a place to stay warm and dry. Trial runs before she has to do it and talk about what ifs so she knows what to do, don't give her the answer immediately let her try to think for herself. The worst part will be winter and darkness depending on what time that bus gets to yours. I got 2 buses to school at 11 with a couple of other kids and spotting where you are in the dark when it rains, when the bus windows were fogged up was hard. Get her onto google maps on her phone so she can track her whereabouts, plus on google maps you can share your location. As a family we all share ours and my youngest is in sixth form.

See if she can buddy up with anyone local. Ask friends if they know anyone else who got into the grammar or try local facebook.

Totally normal

I mean, that is part of the deal with deciding to send your child to a school that isn't your local school.
It is one of several factors you take into account.

As per the first reply, you practice with her over the Summer.
However scary it seems to you now, it becomes 'the norm' very quickly and in October you won't believe how much she has grown up.