Age you can legally let a child walk to school on their own in England

SCHOOL is almost back in session and many parents may be considering giving their child more responsibility this term. Experts have revealed the recommended age to let your child walk to school on their own. Experts have offered advice on what age you should let your child walk to school on their own (stock image) Credit: Getty Parents have been advised to map out safe routes and practice them with their children before the start of term (stock image) Credit: Alamy As the summer draws to a close, families will be getting back into the school routine. Some parents you even be wondering if now is the time to let their child walk to school on their own. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Whether its a way to offer your child a bit more independence or simply for a result of scheduling, deciding if your child is ready to walk home from school alone can feel like a big step. Thankfully, the NSPCC has offered guidance on how to tell if your child is ready, and go about the whole thing safely. While there is no legal age at which a child can walk to school on their own, the charity suggests parents use their own judgement and assess their child’s maturity and confidence. Experts also suggest factoring in practical logistics like the length of the walk and the environment. However, NSPCC local campaigns manager Gail Sayles told Yahoo UK: “Typically many parents start letting their children walk to school independently around nine to 11 years old.” She also emphasised that “one size doesn’t fit all” and it is important to take into consideration the route your child will take, including busy roads and how long it will take them. Most read in The Sun It is also important to remember that some schools have rules prohibiting children under eight walking home alone without a parent or older sibling so parents will want to check regulations before proceeding with a plan. Sayles suggests doing a few dry runs and walking the route with your child so they know what to expect. “Starting to go to school by themselves for the first time can be quite scary, especially if it’s a new school and they don’t have their usual friend group around them,” she explained. You can also let your child go on a short trip to the shops or to a nearby friend’s house to help them build up confidence ahead of the new term. Meanwhile, the Child Accident Prevention Trust has issued guidance for parents on how to keep their children safe on the roads, which includes telling your child to remove headphones when crossing the road. As well as listening to the road, parents should also emphasise the importance of waiting if you are unsure if you have time to safely cross. You should also test your child on how they would react in certain circumstances, such as feeling pressure from friends to do something dangerous. NSPCC guidance on how to keep your child safe The NSPCC has shared some handy advice for parents to follow on how to keep their children safe when walking to and from school alone. Make sure your child knows your address and telephone number by heart. That way, if they get lost, they can call you even if they don’t have a phone and can navigate their way home. Make sure they’ve charged their phone, if they have one, before leaving the house, and ensure they have your contact numbers saved – this could include your work number. It’s also a good idea to have another trusted adult’s number, such as a close friend or family member. Talk to them about road safety, including paying attention when they’re crossing the road rather than looking at their phone, for example. Tell them never to accept a lift from someone they don’t know – or someone they do know if it’s not been arranged with you first. Remind them they can call you or a trusted adult if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable at any time when they’re walking home. Make sure they know how to call 999 straight away and ask for the police if they ever feel like they’re in immediate danger. Source: NSPCC Comment now