Walking To and From School

At Lavendon School, the safety and wellbeing of our children is our highest priority. We also recognise that, as children grow older, learning to travel safely and independently can be an important part of developing their confidence and responsibility.

There is no fixed legal age at which a child can walk to or from school independently. Parents and carers need to consider their child's maturity, confidence, road-safety awareness and the safety of their route when deciding whether independent travel is appropriate. However, as a school we are responsible for the welfare of our pupils and therefore have to consider what we believe is good practice in ensuring the safety of our pupils. We also have an obligation to alert relevant authorities should we believe a child’s welfare is at risk

Reception and Key Stage 1

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 must not walk to or from school independently.

At the start of the school day, we welcome parents/carers onto the school site to drop their child at their classroom door.  At the end of the school day, children will only be released in accordance with the school's agreed collection arrangements. Parents and carers should ensure that the school is kept informed about who is authorised to collect their child and notify us of any change to the normal arrangements. Authorised contacts will be at least 16 years old.

If an unexpected person arrives to collect a child and the school has not been informed, staff will need to verify the arrangement with the parent or carer before releasing the child.

Years 3 and 4

At the start of the school day, we encourage children to develop their growing independence by leaving their parent/carer at the school gate, to then walk round to their classroom door. At the end of the school day, children will only be released in accordance with the school's agreed collection arrangements. Parents and carers should ensure that the school is kept informed about who is authorised to collect their child and notify us of any change to the normal arrangements. Authorised contacts will be at least 16 years old.

If an unexpected person arrives to collect a child and the school has not been informed, staff will need to verify the arrangement with the parent or carer before releasing the child

As children become older, families can begin to develop their independence by walking routes together, practising road safety and talking about what children should do if something unexpected happens.

Years 5 and 6: Walking Independently

For children in Years 5 and 6, parents and carers may feel that their child is ready to walk to and/or from school independently. There is no expectation that children in Years 5 and 6 should walk to or from school independently. Parents and carers who wish to continue bringing their child to school and/or collecting them at the end of the school day are very welcome to do so. Every child develops independence at a different pace, and families are best placed to consider when their child is ready.

Before making this decision, we ask parents and carers to carefully consider:

  • whether their child can follow an agreed, safe route;
  • the roads and crossings they will encounter;
  • their child's road-safety awareness;
  • whether they can be trusted to go directly to school or home;
  • how they behave when walking with friends;
  • whether they know what to do if approached by someone they do not know or trust;
  • whether they know where and how to seek help in an emergency; and
  • their confidence and maturity when dealing with unexpected situations.

In line with our mobile phone policy, children who walk to or from school on their own can bring a basic phone to school with them. For further information about our permissions for this, please contact the school office.

Changes to Arrangements

Parents and carers must ensure that the school is informed of any change to their child’s usual arrangements, including changes that occur on the day.

For example, if a child who would normally walk home independently is being collected, or a child who would normally be collected is expected to walk home independently, the school must be notified before the end of the school day.

This helps us to maintain clear and accurate arrangements and ensures that we are appropriately safeguarding your child at the point they leave school.

Children should not be expected to communicate a change of arrangement to school on behalf of their parent or carer.

Permission to Walk Home Alone

Written parental/carer permission must be provided before a Year 5 or Year 6 child will be permitted to leave Lavendon School independently.

Permission does not remove the need for an ongoing assessment of whether the arrangement remains safe and appropriate for the individual child. If arrangements change, parents and carers should inform the school promptly.

Maintaining an up-to-date record of children who have permission to leave independently is also an established safeguarding measure.

Helping Your Child Prepare

Walking together from an early age provides children with valuable opportunities to develop road-safety skills, learn safe routes and gradually build the confidence needed for greater independence.

We encourage families to make sure children understand that they should:

  • pay attention to traffic and avoid distractions when crossing roads;
  • choose safe places to cross where they can see and be seen;
  • look and listen carefully for traffic;
  • be aware of cyclists and other road users;
  • never assume that a driver has seen them;
  • follow the agreed route and go directly to their destination; and
  • know what to do and who to approach if they need help.

After-School Clubs

Parents should consider that arrangements which are suitable at the end of the normal school day may not necessarily be appropriate after an extracurricular activity, particularly during the darker months.

Working Together to Keep Children Safe

Our approach is about achieving the right balance between safeguarding children and supporting age-appropriate independence.

If school staff have concerns about a child's safety, wellbeing or suitability to travel independently, we will discuss these concerns with parents or carers. Our safeguarding responsibilities remain central to any decisions we make.

If you have any questions about your child's arrangements for travelling to or from school, please contact the school office.

Walking Home Independently Policy