Ball games banned at school. Advice please.

Nenen

Wow Cariad, a total ban sounds rather extreme and I can understand your son being bored as many boys (and an increasing number of girls) long to play football at breaktimes. I wonder why the school have done this
As you are new to the school, If I were you I'd try to find out a few things before going in all guns blazing. Have you spoken to any of the other parents to find out what the history behind this decision is, e.g. how long has it been like this, has this been since a really serious accident or a new headteacher, is there a disabled child in the school who is particularly fragile and whether it is the same all year round? As a PP said it may be that ball games are allowed when the field is being used. I can tell you from personal experience that being smacked in the face by a football kicked from short range while standing on a small playgound is very painful! :eek: If there isn't enough space to section off an area just for those who want to play ball it really isn't much fun for the children who don't want to play as the risk of them getting hit by the ball when they're not actively watching it to play the game is very high.
I'd also want to know how much PE they are getting. If they have PE everyday then this ban is a little more acceptable IMHO. Is the ban the policy of the LEA or just this one school? Is this something the parents actually wanted in the first place (sounds odd I know but I've heard of stranger things)? In your place I'd want to get a feel of other parents' opinions on the issue. If it is an LEA/PTA decision then I'm doubtful you can do much without the support of your MP and lots of negative publicity etc.

Assuming that it is a local issue and you don't uncover any really compelling reason for the ban then, if you have a groundswell of parental opinion behind you, I'd talk to the parent governors and put it in writing to the chairman of governors. If that doesn't work, then ask for it to be an item on the agenda for the next Governing Body AGM (every maintained school must have one and it is open to all parents, usually in the summer term, so hopefully your timing is good). If enough parents feel strongly about this you can make a very good case at the AGM.

You could also try contacting your LEA (assuming it's not their rule) and ask to speak to the advisor for PE. S/he might not be able to help directly but should know who to put you in contact with. Hope this helps and good luck :beer:

ailuro2

Is skipping allowed? You could show him how to do it boxer training style...how about hopscotch, at least they are moving then, or is chalk banned for marking out the playground in case they scrape their knuckles/it encourages graffiti writing? and of course they wouldn't be allowed to throw a stine into the box... :rolleyes:

Our school allows tag, and football only on the grassy areas in summer.

fesdufun

Banning football and running in the playground. Has the world finally gone mad!

Life is about risk. Surely children should be able to "be children". Perhaps the school should stop children going out to play and just let the children play computer games during the breaks.:eek:

It's about time people looked at the bigger issue. Our children are far more likely to have problems due to obesity and poor health than ever hurt themselves seriously in the playground. Where has common sense gone?

Kids will always have accidents, it's part of growing up. Yes, we should try to prevent accidents where possible but not where this put children at greater risk in later life because of lack of exercise.

It will be good to hear how you get on.

tomstickland

I received quite a hard blow in my face last week when playing a game of friendly hockey - I was running forwards and a woman was running backwards. Her head hit me on the cheek just below my right eye. Am I going to stop playing hockey because it's "dangerous"? No, I'm prepared to accept the risk in return for the benefits of enjoying playing the game.

ManAtHome

fesdufun wrote: »

Life is about risk.

Well, it used to be, now too often it's about "getting 100% of your compensation". I know the majority of parents would write off a knock as something that happens, but sadly you only need a couple of claims and they'll be asking the kids to bring their own furniture as well as books.

TAG

emmaroids wrote: »

this country is a joke.

political correctness gone mad :mad:

they say that were producing overweight kids and now schools ban ball games, cant bloody win.

:T :T Sums it all up rather nicley I think!!:T :T

Don't suppose I'd be very welcome there then?:D

Rachie_B

no running in the school playground !!! OMG ,cariad your sons school appear to have gone waaaaay OTT with this

As mentioned above all it takes is some playground supervisors

in my sons school teachers take it in turns on "playground duty"

they also have "playground games" whereby a trolley of play equipment is brought around at playtimes ,and each year take it in turns to use it / look after it etc ,making the children responsible for it but with the teachers on hand if any issues arise etc

sounds ridiculous to me that they arent even allowed to run ! thats like saying babies arent allowed to cry lol

inkie

The sad thing is that some parents do not think the same as us, and would immediately come down on the school if anything happened.

misfire

I know LOADS of parents in our school who would be on the line to claims direct in the blink of an eye....... unfortuantely it is people like that who the school have to 'guard' themselves against and no running and ball games is the very far extreme of this.

It would be interested in finding out why they have banned all the games and see if there is an alterantive - we used to have to use 'stocking balls' at one of my junior schools due to the amount of windows - they werent very good balls so couldnt do as much damage as a tennis ball (we used to make and sew them in the playground with the dinnerlady - blimey your head would have a field day with that one! but it was 25 years ago!) - i bet you wouldnt even be allowed to make stocking balls anymore....

.... pc gone mad.

dollop

my son was knocked unconscious this week by a basketball at school this week,so ball games should be banned with hard balls although soft balls i dont see much problem.