Education and Child Matters

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Walking To School And Back Home Alone

 

Many fears overcome a parent when the topic of walking to school and back home alone is raised. Initially you will be doing the school runs however, eventually your child will want to become independent and make the journey alone.

The question arises when would you be comfortable for your child to make this journey alone.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY THE LEGAL AGE IS FOR A CHILD TO WALK TO SCHOOL AND BACK ALONE?

The law does not state a minimum age for a child walking to and back from school. 

WHAT DO MOST LOCAL AUTHORITIES  SUGGEST IS A GOOD AGE FOR A CHILD TO WALK TO SCHOOL AND BACK HOME ALONE?

Most local authorities in the UK suggest that the appropriate age for a child to start the process of walking to school and back is 8 years old.

ACCORDING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DISTANCE A CHILD OF 8 YEARS SHOULD WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL?

Local authorities suggest that the maximum distance for an 8 year old to walk to school is 2 miles. The maximum distance for a child over 8 years is 3 miles. 

WHAT DO MOST PARENTS THINK IS THE RIGHT AGE?

A YouGov poll suggested that most parents in the UK thought 10 years is the right age for a child to walk to school and back by themselves. 

WHAT ARE THE FEARS MOST PARENTS HAVE?

  1. Their child will get run over if they cross the road.
  2. Their child might get bullied on the way home.
  3. Someone may try to abduct them
  4. Someone may follow them and hurt them.
  5. They may be offered drugs on the way home.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ARE THINKING OF LETTING YOUR CHILD WALK TO SCHOOL AND BACK ALONE?

  1. Teach your child road safety and make sure they know it inside out well before they start to walk to and from school alone. 
  2. Make sure they are using the road safety information you have taught them. 
  3. 4 – 5 months prior to letting them walk alone, start talking to them about the route they will take. Tell them where they need to be careful, where they need to concentrate, where they must focus on road safety and how they must not divert from the route you have shown them. However, if they ever need to then show them another alternative route that is safe.
  4. If it applies, explain to your children the routes and areas to avoid.
  5. Inform your child they must focus when they are walking to and from school and keep their eyes and ears open. They must not be on the phone unless it is an emergency or be using headphones to listen to music. 
  6. Inform your child they must come home straight from school.
  7. Go over the ground rules that they must never ever talk to strangers. They must never accept a lift from anyone unless you authorise it. They must call you first and ask your permission even if a friend’s parents offers a lift
  8. Give your child 2 safe spots on the route. This is a place (a shop, a cafe) where your child can go if they feel unsafe or they have difficulty calling you. This will prevent your child asking a stranger for help.
  9. Give your child a working mobile phone and teach them how to quickly dial yourself and how to call the police. Of course explain they must not run up a bill and it’s not for chatting away to friends. 
  10. Talk to your child and see if they have any friends who are walking the same route to school. If they do, perhaps they can walk together.
  11. Another thing you could do is talk to other parents and if they agree start a walking bus. This is where 2 parents walk 10 or so children to school picking them up on the way from their homes. This is repeated on the way home. Different parents do the duty every day.   

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A SAFE ROUTE TO AND FROM SCHOOL?

  1. Try and choose a route with as few road crossings as possible.
  2. If a road is to be crossed, then choose a route where it can be done at a proper crossing.
  3. Try and choose a route where there are bus stops in case your child gets into trouble and needs help.
  4. Avoid alleyways if you can.
  5. Avoid underground tunnels and subways
  6. Avoid unlit areas especially in the winter.
  7. Avoid empty and less crowded areas
  8. Choose routes with residential homes and shops
  9. Choose populated and busy routes.
  10. Avoid roads that do not have pavements either side. 
  11. If you notice any dogs or animals that could scare your child on the route then try and avoid this route if possible.

WHEN DOES THE LOCAL AUTHORITY PROVIDE FREE TRANSPORT FOR PUPILS? 

We have written a guide to free transport to and from schools. Please click on the link.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FREE TRANSPORT TO AND FROM SCHOOL 

However, generally your local authority will aim to offer free transport under the following conditions::

  1. If there is no suitable school for your child to attend within legal and qualifying walking distance of your home.
  2. If your child has been refused a place at a suitable school within legal and qualifying walking distance of your home and they have to attend a school further away. 
  3. Your child is under 8 years old and the school is 2 miles away.
  4. Your child is aged 8 or over and the school is 3 miles away.
  5. There is no safe way to travel from home to school.
  6. If your child has special educational needs and disabilities that prevent them from walking to school. 

The legal walking distance for a child from home to school and vice versa is defined as the shortest route they can walk with safety. This walking distance includes roads, footpaths and pathways.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR APPLYING FOR FREE SCHOOL TRANSPORT TO YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR FREE SCHOOL TRANSPORT.

Your local authority will decide which type of free school transport or other support will be provided. Some of the things or support your local authority could offer are:

  1. Your child may be asked to attend a travelling course. Also referred to as independent travel training.
  2. A free bus travel pass/oyster card for your child
  3. Minibus pick up and drop off
  4. Taxi service with an escort
  5. Taxi service without an escort.
  6. Paying for petrol mileage 
  7. Walking attendant or travel buddy

WHY SHOULD YOU ENCOURAGE WALKING TO SCHOOL?

Walking is very healthy and wherever you can you should encourage your children to walk to school for the following reasons:

  1. It is great exercise and improves cardiovascular fitness.
  2. Walking gets the blood moving around the body resulting in more oxygen going to the brain.
  3. Walking reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.
  4. Walking releases the happy hormones endorphins and dopamine in the body.
  5. Walking to and from school encourages your child’s independence.
  6. Strengthens muscles and bones
  7. Walking half an hour every day boosts the immune system.