Blog: Would you let young children cycle to school alone?

A couple who let their eight year old daughter and five year old son cycle a mile to school unsupervised have been warned by the school's headmaster that they could be reported to social services.

Oliver and Gillian Schonrock let their daughter, eight, and son, five, cycle a mile unsupervised to lessons in Dulwich, south London.

The couple say they are making their children responsible, independent and self-confident.

But the school's headteacher said he had a responsibility to consider their safety.

Here, Tracey O'Sullivan gives her opinion:

Cotton wool children. I believe that's what the current generation of youngsters has been branded. They're too wrapped up and protected to have any idea how to assess and deal with risk.

Now I agree with this. I do think we are over-protective. I do want my children to have some freedom. But sometimes a risk is a risk too far.

For me, as a parent, allowing an eight-year-old and a five-year to cycle to school alone is exactly that.

I understand the frustrations which can reach boiling point at over-zealous health and safety rules. And I don't necessarily believe the Government should be interfering in a decision taken by parents who have considered the matter carefully.

But that's not because I think Oliver and Gillian Schonrock are right. I don't.

They may believe they are just recreating the freedom of their own childhood, but for me it's just lazy parenting - handing over what should be a parental responsibility to an eight-year-old.

Let's not forget there is a five year old sibling to be looked after on this mile-long route through south London. This is not play-time, where parents can consider ways in which they can allow their offspring to indulge a sense of adventure without responsibility or strict supervision.

And even should it be perfectly safe - and I don't believe it is because although children of that age may have great road sense and stranger danger awareness, they are unpredictable and too young to maintain a sense of consequence – there is another crucial issue here.

The school run, particularly at primary school level, is not just about getting to school. When I do get to collect or drop-off my ten-year-old stepson I enjoy that time together – the conversations we have are funny, engaging and enlightening. These are the kind of chats vital for parenting that often get lost in the chaos that ensues once you are back home.

I know his father and I value the connections made at the school gate and the link it helps to forge with the school.

Noah is perfectly capable of getting to school on his own, involving a journey by bus, and has plenty of freedom at home where he is allowed to call on neighbouring friends alone.

But he still wants our company on the school run – a situation which we know won't last much longer.

Why would you want to give up that precious time with children so young?