A young boy preparing for his very first day has shared his journey of heading in to the unknown. Little Oliver Collins took a nervous walk to school for the very first time as he went in to the reception class at Scientia Academy, in Mona Road, Burton.
The four-year-old dressed up in his smart little uniform for the 25 minute walk from his home in Horninglow Road to his new school where he hopes to make lots of new friends.
The school had children starting school over three days with the first starting on Wednesday, September 6 and the last on Friday, September 8.
Oliver's concerned mother Leah Parker-Rice said: "Seeing him leave for school was very nerve-racking. I didn't really want him to go and I have been adamant he was not going to school all over the summer holidays. I am just waiting for home time now.
"The walk to school was fine, it was really quiet and and a little bit eerie. It didn't take as long as we thought. We got there in 17 minutes so we were 10 minutes early for him starting school. With his little legs we thought it might take a bit longer but he got there just fine."
However, Mrs Parker-Rice did not have to wait long to see Oliver again as she was invited i to the school so that she could enjoy lunch with her son and ease some of her nerves. Oliver said he was nervous about going to school as he did not know anyone.
Oliver made the journey to school with his mother, 38, sister Honie Parker-Sleet, 12, and step dad Dax Rice, and a Go-Pro strapped to him so he could record the walk.
Nervous parents across Burton and South Derbyshire have been seen walking their children for the very first time with it being noted that more have decided to walk instead of drive to school to avoid the extra traffic which is gridlocking Burton since the three-month closure of St Peter's Bridge began on Tuesday, August 29.
Health professionals are encouraging parents to allow their children to walk, cycle or ride their scooter to school as a healthy way to start the day.
Staffordshire County Council has already introduced a Walking Bus to schools across the area which sees adult volunteers organise a rota to walk children to school. They walk along a designated route and pick children up as they go along.
Parents looking forward to see their precious youngsters with the rest of their class can pick up their first day of school supplement in the Burton Mail on October 18.
