This policy supports the Rights Respecting principles adopted by Lady Margaret Primary School and is particular relevant to the following articles:
UNICEF – Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Article 3
The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all things that affect children.
Article 18
Parents are the main people responsible for bringing up a child. When the child does not have any parents, another adult will have this responsibility and they are called a “guardian”. Parents and guardians should always consider what is best for that child. Governments should help them. Where a child has both parents, bothof them should be responsible for bringing up the child.
Article 19
Governments must protect children from violence, abuse and being neglected by anyone who looks after them.
There are no laws around age or distance of walking to school. A families’ guide to the law states:
There is no law prohibiting children from being out on their own at any age. It is a matter of judgement for parents to decide when children can play out on their own, walk to the shops or school.
Parents are legally obliged to ensure their children get to school and attend regularly, but this in itself does not disallow independent travel. However, as a school we are responsible for the welfare of our pupils and therefore must 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.
Pupils in Foundation Stage, KS1 and years 3 and 4
Our agreed school policy is that no pupil in Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 or years 3 and 4 should walk to or from school on their own or be left on their own on the school premises either before or after school. In addition, we will only hand over pupils to named adults or older siblings provided they are 16 years old or above. Pupils will not be handed over to other adults unless the school has been informed by the parent/carer that they have made this arrangement.
We also ask that you keep us informed of any changes in arrangements, preferably by letter.
If no one turns up to collect a child in these year groups, they will be kept in school and parent/carers contacted. We will not allow older brothers or sisters in school to collect younger siblings.
Pupils in years 5 and 6
Children in years 5 and 6 can walk to and from school with parental permission. If you wish for your child who is in years 5 and 6 to walk home on their own, this must be given to the school in writing.
In deciding whether your child is ready to walk to school you should assess any risks associated with the route and your child’s confidence. Work with your children to build up their independence while walking to school through route finding, road safety skills and general awareness. There are lots of ways you can prepare your child to make an independent journey.
Children who are driven to school do not have the opportunity to develop road awareness and are therefore more vulnerable when they start to walk to school independently. Walking to school is a great opportunity to learn road safety skills. The best way to do this is to walk with your children from a young age, teaching them about crossing the road, learning how to navigate and a host of other skills. This helps them gain the experience and confidence to deal with traffic and finding a way on their own, in preparation for walking with friends or alone when they are older.
Teach your child to:
Never, ever, follow someone who is either a stranger or someone they know but is not a designated “safe” adult. (A safe adult is someone who has been previously agreed upon by you and your child to be safe, such as a grandparent or trusted neighbour).
And if that person tries to convince him to go with him or tries to physically get close to him, then scream, “Help! This is not my dad!” or “Help! This is not my mum!” and run away. If they grab them, tell your child to kick, punch, and hit as hard as they can.
When deciding whether your child is ready for this responsibility you might want to consider the following:
If you are not confident about how your child would react then you should seriously consider whether you should allow them to walk on their own. If you decide that your child is ready for this responsibility, then you must inform the school by letter or by completing the slip below.
Your child will be prevented from walking home unless this permission has been given in writing. Your child will also be responsible for their behaviour whilst on the school premises either before or after school. Should their behaviour not be acceptable you will be asked them to accompany or collect them until they have proved they can be trusted again.
IF AT ANY TIME YOU NEED TO CHANGE ARRANGEMENTS YOU HAVE MADE PLEASE ENSURE YOU LET US KNOW IN WRITING IMMEDIATELY.
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Approved by:
Helen Rai – Executive Headteacher
Date:
2nd October 2023
Last reviewed on:
September 2023
Next review due by:
September 2025