Feeling uneasy.

[Frikadellen]

DD2 is at the secondary dd1 is currentlyin 6th form in having been since year 7 so we have a long time engagement with the school.

I have not previously had any concerns about the children and both girls are progressing ok within their abilities academically.

However today something happened that has left me feeling really uneasy.

DD2 had a trampoline lesson. She has done trampoline at the local leisure centre as a sport so is able to do this well and knows the rules etc. However today she feel of the trampoline and hurt her back. (there is a red mark even now about 8 hours after it happened) She was sent to school nurse and school then called dh , who asked " well what do you recommend to do?" and he was told. " we don't know can you come and get her?"

Dh collected her and spoke with our gp. there is nothing broke & after painkillers dd2 is fine and happy enough in herself.

However I can shake this really uneasy feeling..

This was a backinjury and clearly a whack of one if there still is a mark.
Yet it appears that the school had no knowledge on how to deal with this.
I can't help but wonder if they even should have let her get up straight away what it if had been a more serious case?(thankfully this wasnt but what about next time it happens to a student?)

I am also uncomfortable with HOW she managed to fall off she says that they had 1 teacher on one of thes side and students on the other.

When she did trampoline at the leisure centre they had 1 adult on either side of them watching the kids as they were jumping.


DH has suggested we send a letter to the head and I think that is the right thing to do. However I suddenly sit here and feel really concerned for my childs safety. I may be over reacting she is after all fine. However I do wonder.

[jo164]

You could ask to see the risk assessment for trampolining? There should be one if the school offer it as an activity, you used to have to have a specific qualification to teach it as well, as it's not often covered during teacher training, however I'm not sure if this still applies. If the school have been a bit slack in their risk assessment, at least you asking about it may give them a kick up the bum to put something better in place. If you don't like what the risk assessment says or it doesn't actually match what your daughter says happens then I would be inclined to speak with someone senior and withdraw her from the lessons until they can satisfy you that it is being supervised appropriately.

[Frikadellen]

Thank you yes we will ask for the risk assessment. I am actually more concerned about the lack of seeming "after" care from teacher and nurse. I have gently checked with 2 other friends who have dd's in similar years different schools, Their schools have handled similar situations very differently.

DD has gone to school today, my feeling of unease has not changed..

[PastSellByDate]

Hi Frikadellen:

I agree with jo164 - in that you should feedback to the school that in light of this accident some aspects of their risk assessment for trampolining (but possibly head/ back injuries in general) should be reviewed.

I agree the concerning thing is moving someone after they've had a head/ spinal injury - and training for that can be arranged.

With trampolining - safety lines should be in use for high risk moves (e.g. flips/ somersaults) - not just adults supervising on either side. So raising whether more safety equipment is needed to support trampolining activities at school is also worth raising.

I don't think you can complain - in that I strongly suspect you've signed something providing your written consent for your DD to attend this trampolining club and somewhere in there will be something about it being a risky sport.

Gymnastics/ football/ rugby/ diving/ etc... are all sports where head injury risks/ hard falls are common - and schools should have systems in place to ensure that once an injury has taken place - the injured person isn't moved too hastily, for risk of making the injury worse.

However, you need to separate your anxieties about your child's participation in the sport and the inherent risks that sport presents (because accidents can happen - at school/ outside of school - in clubs/ competitions) from your concern about how your child was handled once injured (which sounds like it was fairly immediate & caring, but not particularly high standard).

HTH

[Frikadellen]

My uneasiness is nothing to do with the trampolining. Like i said dd2 has done this at the local leisure centre. Additionally she and her brother plays rugby. I am not a anxious parent.

I am however not comfortable with there being no sense of understanding of a injury and what this could be. Thankfully dd2 is fine. However what if she had not been? them not taking it seriously could have damaged it much further.


When ds has had rugby injuries we have always been well informed and it was dealt with well. & the one time before there was a slight twist during trampoline in the leisure centre I was told it had happened and what to look for.

Dh is writing a letter requestion the risk assessment and suggesting it needs re evaluating. we will see what happens in response. The one time I have had to write to the head before I felt he dealt with it very well. (very different situation )

[PastSellByDate]

Frikadellen -

Please don't get me wrong - I totally sympathise - my DD1 does gymnastics - outside of school - and has had a few injuries, one of which on the full height balance beam really scared me - as I witnessed it.

What I am trying to distinguish here is rather than complaining about how trampolining is supervised - perhaps turning this incident into an opportunity for the school to review equipment/ accident procedures (especially spinal/ head injuries) may be more constructive.

Certainly the immediate question that comes to mind is does the school use or have guide wires for trampolining? If not - is the solution acquiring these for the school. It seems to me that had your DD been wearing a harness attached to guide wires she wouldn't have been able to fall off the trampoline.

Second - do coaches have specific training for spinal/ head injuries. Is this something that in fact both coaches and trampoline students (maybe other groups presented with similar risks) could do with an organisation like St. John's ambulance? Thus greatly increasing awareness of how to handle such injuries more safely for all concerned.

HTH

[Frikadellen]

Ty past sellbydate

I deliberately didn't use the word complaint as I had no intention to "complain" more seek some clarification/understanding.

I am still uneasy about this especially as dd today admitted her chest is still sore. I think we need trip to the minor injury tomorrow sadly

[PastSellByDate]

I think a chest x-ray (front & back) to ensure there are no 'hair fractures' would be reassuring to you and your DD (possibly also the school).

I know you were trying to avoid complaint - but I think it is likely to come across as a complaint - that's why I was suggesting - possibly better to suggest school reviews incident to improve safety precautions/ accident response (especially for spinal/ head injuries) in future to benefit of all.

Certainly guide wires/ harnesses on trampoline would have prevented your DDs accident.

However, at some point in these sports (trampolining/ gymnastics/ diving/ etc...) they will try a routine without spotters/ support wires/ on lower equipment/ etc...

HTH