Ball games banned at school. Advice please.

tomstickland

I did loads of apparently risky things when I was younger. I was always aware of the risks though.

What's going to happen in th future when risk exposure free children have to cope in the real world? Is it going to lead to an ever more controlled environment where noone can do anything any more? Ice skating, roller blades, riding bikes, walking up hills. All too dangerous?

lewt

what about frisbie's?

pippamannequin

cariad wrote: »

My son has moved to to a Primary School (well behaved, middle class children) where they have banned football & all ball games.

His previous school was a fabulous school in a deprived social area (many children with challenging behaviour) where ball games were encouraged and banned temporarily when things became rough.

In his new school, once a week they bring out a soft ball at lunchtimes but are only allowed to throw it, not kick it. There is a climbing frame area but only 4 children are allowed at any one time. They have a basket ball net but not allowed to use it.
"Tag" is also banned as no running in the playground is allowed.

My son is constantly saying how bored he is at breaktimes & recently, with some friends borrowed a sponge ball and was caught playing football.

The Head reprimanded them in front of the class blaming them on an incident in which a younger junior pupil had hurt themselves after copying them & playing with the sponge ball.(also mentioned to me in the Head's letter)

My son was very upset .

I have written to the Head and had a very long curt letter in response which clearly tells me that this is a non negotiable issue.

Whilst I support the school & understand in these days of litigation health & safety issues have to be adhered I also feel our children should be able to get rid of their energies during the school hours or am I just old fashioned?

Surely a good Head would try & work around this problem? I know space is also an issue although they have a huge field but due to weather often unused.

I am going to write to the Head again asking if a small separate paved area could be put aside for ball games but I am not hopeful & will possibly arrange a visit to speak face to face.

Has any one any advice how I could pursue this issue forward in a positive way. Have you personal experience of this, were there positive conclusions?

All advice appreciated.

Never had the experience on ball games being banned, but when we moved to a new area i found my kids didnt have anything in the playground or on the grass, so after listening to other parents moaning that other schools had 'this and that' i took the bull by the horns and went to the pta meetings...have you tried this option?
From there I was then nominated to become Chairperson of the PTA, huge responsibily as the staff didnt really involve themselves much, but within a year I'd managed to raise the same as the school had in the previous 5 years...but also amongst being able to 'do' things for the kids I was in a position and a very strong position to raise issues with the school and governors ...and I KNOW if ball games had have been banned in my kids school they wouldn't be now..If you feel you have the time....get involved. HTH

sjpkgp

There are two things I find ridiculous from the original post. The first is "sponge ball" . Had 9 year olds been blamming full footballs at the nursery kids, then yes, but knocking about a spongeball ? Secondly when the head wrote and said "non-negotiable". What about a face to face chat or a phone call, surely not a letter home, and non-negotiable is the worst sort of statement. No wonder you are cross, I would be, if fact I am admiring your constraint. I think the other posters are also offering good advice but I'd have a chat to education services at the council to see what their take on it is. Good luck, and let's hope your lad gets the chance to do something in his break soon !

seven-day-weekend

Well, I can see both sides of this as my son went to a Primary school where if you were a boy and didn't want to play football you were bullied unmercifully.

Break time, tbh, was ruled by the Football Mafia. There was not much room for anyone else to do anything and boys like my son spent the entire breaktime trying to remain un-noticed. Girls found it difficult to play quieter games as there was always the risk of a football/er disrupting it. Football ruled.

Although I said nothing to the school about the football (I did about the bullying) I was delighted when football was banned.

My son is now 27 so you can see this is not a new problem.

lebly

I thought schools were meant to promote healthy active lifestyles for children! If they cant run around etc why dont they just sit them in front of a tv and we can all have fat, overweight unhealthy children!!