What age can a child walk to school on their own, according to NSPCC expert

As the summer holidays come to a close, many parentswill be gearing up to send their childrenback to school - or perhaps for the first time.

However for those with older kids, the debate on what age your child can walk to schoolalone comes back to light. While some parents may not be able to always walk with their child, and older kids wanting to have their own bit of independence walking alone, it's hard to know when is the right time to send them off alone.

According to the NSPCC, there is no actual legal age at when a child can walk to school - but it's down to the parents judgement on their child's confidence and maturity, as well as the distance to their school.

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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". The expert said there wasn't a "one size fits all" approach when it comes to this issue, and parents should think more about the route and the road safety instead.

"Think about your child and how they feel about it. 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 groups around them," Sayles says, and if your child does seem ready, she suggests doing some "dry runs" with them so they know the route.

Sayles also advises to help them build up the courage to walk aloe by going for a short walk alone to a shop or a nearby friends house first.

The NSPCC has shared their guidance for parents of children 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.

It's also worth noting that some schools also advise children under eight shouldn't walk home alone without a parent or older sibling, so make sure you know your school's rules before proceeding with a plan.

Do you have a story to share? Email niamh.kirk@reachplc.com