UK parents issued warning about age you are legally allowed to let your child walk to school alone
A new school year is officially upon us, meaning early mornings, packed lunches and frantic searches for missing school shoes are back.
But as children prepare for another nine-and-a-half months of learning, their parents are being warned to think carefully before letting their little ones make the school run alone.
Charities and educators are stressing to mums and dads across the country that there are several factors they should consider before deciding their child is ready to head off without an adult.
And while some children may seem more than capable of making the journey themselves, there isn't necessarily a straightforward answer when it comes to when they're legally allowed to do so.
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In fact, the rules may be less clear-cut than some parents might expect.
When it comes to a specific legal age at which a child can walk to or from school alone in the UK, well, it turns out there isn't one.
That might sound like a simple answer, but in reality, parents and carers being expected to use their own judgement to consider whether their child is mature and confident enough to make the journey safely makes things trickier.
The child safety charity NSPCC says a youngster's maturity is a vital point to think about, along with the potential route they will take, and the surrounding environment.
Importantly, schools may also have their own rules around children travelling to and from school without an adult.
Some schools advise children under eight should not walk home alone without a parent or older sibling, while others have much more relaxed restrictions, so it's worth checking your school's individual policy first.
Similarly, there's no magic number when it comes to the age that British kids usually start walking to school alone.
That said, however, according to NSPCC local campaigns manager Gail Sayles, parents 'typically' start letting their children walk to school independently when they reach the latter primary school years - 'around nine to 11 years old'.
She also emphasised that 'one size doesn’t fit all' when it comes to feeling prepared to let your child head out there alone, and it is important to take into consideration the direction your child will travel in, including busy roads and how long it will take them.
So, while nine to 11 might be a common age for parents to consider giving their children more independence, it isn't a legal recommendation or requirement.
If you think your child is ready, it's advised that you practise the journey with your little one before letting them go alone.
They'll need to know where and how to cross roads safely, as well as what to do if they get lost and who they can contact if something goes wrong.
The NSPCC also recommends making sure children know their home address and a parent's phone number, while children with phones should ensure they are charged before setting off.
It's also worth reminding them never to accept a lift from someone without checking with you first. Remind them of that age-old 'stranger danger' warning.
And if, even after all of that, they say they're not quite ready to venture off into the world alone - don't feel pressured to them.
Every child is different, and just because their friends are walking to school alone doesn't mean yours has to.
Rhianna Benson