I was not disputing what the author wrote, but what the parent to which I replied posted. In my example, school ended at 1pm or 3 pm, I'd wager not many parent

I was not disputing what the author wrote, but what the parent to which I replied posted. In my example, school ended at 1pm or 3 pm, I'd wager not many parents came home, unless they were working part-time or were stay-at-home. I doubt this has changed so much in the last 15 years (since I graduated) although they've switched to 1 year less (so longer lessons) but they're switching back. I simply think that "one American town with ~200k people" is not a very good data point. Also, I have no clue how school in the UK works, maybe people are driving their children to school everyday. :)