child's first few days going on bus to school

[katak]

Due to my job, I will not be able to take or collect my child from their new secondary school in September, not even for their first few days. No one else from their current school will be travelling there. No friends living nearby who could go with them the school. Do you think it is too much to expect an 11 yearold to be dropped off by me at the bus stop, then they getthe bus themself to school and that they get the bus home after school on day one? I might be able to manage to drop them off at school on the first day, depending on when they are expected to be in school, butthen day 2 onwards, it's the bus. My child has never gone on the bus alone before, but I do intend to send them on a practice run to the new school during the summer holiday.Also, how do you get them to NOT lose the house key?????

My dd is now year 7, similar position to you when she first started. She usually walks but has to take the bus when wet or has a lot of stuff with her.

I did dry run in summer hols (at weekends so it wasn't quite the same) which gave her confidence. First few days seemed terrifying but after a couple of weeks it all seemed perfectly normal.

She keeps house keys and locker keys on a funky lanyard with a couple of charms from Claires Accessories - sometimes she wears but usually she keeps in rucksack.

house key and locker key are attached on a sort of coiled thing that's attached to the zip on inside blazer pocket. she's not lost the blazer yet...

We did several trial runs in the summer, but CRUCIALLY (in my opinion) we did it once there and back on an ordinary school day at the times she would usually travel. I am so glad we did - otherwise she would have been completely unprepared for and terrified for the racket and riot that appears to be the norm for a school bus!

I suspect she is now the cause of the racket and riot....

I would agree with the masses and get her do do trial runs in the summer holidays.

My DS is going into seniors in September, even if I wanted to pick him up from school theres no way he'd let me anyway.

I am planning to let him trial run in the summer hols, just so he gets off and on the bus at thecorrect stop and gains confidence etc.

AND one day in term time. Honestly, it was a real eye opener for my dd!

Agree with doing a PROPER dry run if possible.

My dd and friends had 'practised' in the holidays and the first day of school was fine (They started later than normal). The second day the bus was crammed full and they had to wait for 2 more buses before they could get on. Apparently the bus fills up in the previous town Needless to say they were very late!

Yes to proper dry run. My DS is 10, and will be going to senior school on the bus in Spetember. We have done a few trial runs togther, and he has done two on his own.