boyfriday Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 "Boris Johnson today slammed 'barmy' health and safety rules after a London couple were threatened with being referred to social services for letting their children cycle to school. Oliver and Gillian Schonrock let their son and daughter, five and eight respectively, make the one-mile trip from their home on their own. They say it helps to teach the youngsters independence, self-confidence and responsibility." Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1291970/Couple-threatened-social-services-children-ride-bikes-school.html#ixzz0ssYtiWAa Are the parents right, should they allow their children to cycle a mile to school unsupervised, or should social services intervene and prevent them from doing so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 The parents are right and social services involving themselves is lunacy. The kids ride on the pavement and cross the main road with a lollipop lady. The parents are to be applauded rather than condemned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 I said yes, they should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyfriday Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 The parents are right and social services involving themselves is lunacy. The kids ride on the pavement and cross the main road with a lollipop lady. The parents are to be applauded rather than condemned. I said yes, they should. Do you think the 8 year old should be responsible for their younger sibling during the school trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Do you think the 8 year old should be responsible for their younger sibling during the school trip? In a word, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PC Brigade Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 The parents are right and social services involving themselves is lunacy. The kids ride on the pavement and cross the main road with a lollipop lady. The parents are to be applauded rather than condemned. AAARRRGGGGHH!!! Social services have NOT 'involved themselves', nor have they threatened to - they are not involved at all!!!! 'other parents and teachers at £12,000-a-year Alleyn's Junior School in Dulwich, south east London, are said to think the practice is irresponsible and dangerous.... the Schonrocks have been told that they must ensure their children are accompanied on the journey to school as well or they will be referred to Southwark Council's Children's Services department.....' In summary - other parents and teachers have raised a concern and are suggesting they might contact the council. There is even a quote from the department effectively saying they don't care, so long as the children are safe 'Today Catherine McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Southwark Council, said: 'As this is an independent school, it is for them to decide how they arrange transport to school with the parents of their pupils. 'However, if an independent school does contact us, we'd give them the same advice as we do to our own schools, that they should develop a school travel plan with parents and children so they can get to school safely and in a way that promotes healthy living and is good for the environment. 'This would include both cycling and walking.' It's a standard Daily Mail 'elf and safety' LIE, intended to enrage morons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyfriday Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 In a word, yes. Ok, I've a mixed view-I would be concerned about the older child taking responsibility for the younger one, although in principle I don't see a problem with an 8 year old making relatively short unsupervised trips provided they don't have to ride no the road. It would be good to hear from someone who would be totally against under 10's making the trip to school alone and their reasons for objecting to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyfriday Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 There is even a quote from the department effectively saying they don't care, so long as the children are safe 'Today Catherine McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Southwark Council, said: 'As this is an independent school, it is for them to decide how they arrange transport to school with the parents of their pupils. Interesting how the Children's Service believe their responsibilities are reduced because the school is an independent one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forumosaurus Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 5 years old, bit too young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbiegirl80 Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 I couldn't send my children to school on thir own at these ages, the worlds just a very different place than what it used to be when I made the journey alone. My sister (who is 2 years my elder) used to be responsible for me and it was the 'norm' then. No where near as many concerns as there is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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