To think they should not have been allowed to do PE in this heat?

[Teacherinatutu]

I am willing to accept IABU if you genuinely think I am.

It's very hot here today (around 33 degrees).

Ds came home tonight very hot and red. They did an hour long PE lesson in the afternoon heat. He said they weren't allowed back in for a drink until the end of the lesson and they were on the field with no shade.

I don't think they should have been in the sunshine at all when it's at its hottest let alone doing P.E.
Plus, the school also has a rule where sun cream is banned and parents must apply the 8 hour protection before school which isn't as effective by 2.30pm.

AIBU?

[NinkyNonkers]

I'm with you. I had a conversation with the reception teacher today about then not being allowed to top up the 4 yr old's suntan lotion even if she was red, likewise not providing shade or checking hats.

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

Sun cream is banned?? And no water or shade for an hour. I would be very very upset with that and I would be having words with the school. The reality is that most people in the UK haven't seen sun stroke often enough to reliably recognise it and it can be very very dangerous.

But then I grew up in Australia where doing what you describe in the sun is basically considered tantamount to child abuse.

[hazeyjane]

I think doing PE is ok, as long as precautions are taken (which it doesn't sound like they were)

The dds school are having a sports week, and are doing daily PE, and things like fencing, squash etc, finishing with sports day. We have been sent a letter saying that we must pack a hat and suncream (which child must apply before going out) a bottle of water, and any inhalers which will be taken out to lesson. It also says that if any child is feeling the effects of the heat it is fine for them to sit and have a quiet moment!

[FallenAngel22]

At my DDs school suncream is not allowed, it has to be applied first thing. Thankfully they keep them in the shade as much as possible and encourage plenty of water.

[BetweenTwoLungs]

No PE here today, and we went to the shop to buy cups for the kids whos parents didn't send in water bottles (after countless text reminders). I wouldn't like to do sport in this heat, so won't make them.

[KittyandTeal]

Sun cream isn't banned but we're not allowed to reapply it to children. Something to do with getting sun creams mixed up and allergic reactions or something.

A few years ago my friend used to buy a huge bottle of sunscreen and apply it to all the reception and nursery kids as they went out.

I agree, it's way too hot to do pe. We've got sports day on Thursday. I think it'll be a very quick one!

[Runningupthathill82]

Doing PE is fine. I went for an hour long run today (while pg too) and was fine.
But they definitely should've had sunscreen on, and had access to water.

[MagpieCursedTea]

This might sound like a really daft question, but why on earth would sunscreen be banned?!

YANBU, I don't think PE in itself would be an issue but under those conditions it just sounds barbaric.

[Teacherinatutu]

They banned it because they don't have the time to apply it or supervise applying it.
I might even still have the 'explanation' letter on parentmail!

[Fairyliz]

Can I ask how old your son is? I really can't believe any school would stop them taking water bottles out. We often have parents in questioning things their kids have said which are so far from the truth. I think they are just imaginative.

[Teacherinatutu]

He's 8. I don't think he's lying. Some of his friends have said the same to their parents and knowing the teacher in question, it doesn't surprise me tbh!

[nattarji]

PE fine - dd did an afternoon of PE today. They had a few breaks to sit in the shade and also they all had their water bottles with them.

I find it hard to believe that they weren't allowed drinks tbh.

[whois]

FFS being in the heat without water for an hour is not going to hurt your DS. He might have become a little thirsty but he had plenty of opportunity to drink before and after the PE lesson.

This hysteria about water is redic.

[HagOtheNorth]

Check with the teacher that he had his water bottle, that he'd remembered to take it out with him when they set off for PE. because some of the schools that I work in don't allow free-range children returning to the classroom when everyone is outside doing PE.
Has the school banned cream, or just the application of it by staff?
because if the answer to both of those questions is 'Yes' I'd be complaining in writing and setting out ideas for hot weather actions. Round here, (brief selection of a dozen local schools) the children have to have hats and water bottles before they go out.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I think PE is fine really but they should have access to water and a hat if they have one in school.

Obviously it's my choice, but I exercise in the heat. I will take water though and wear a buff on my head so I don't burn.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I think being allowed water and shade is one thing but he's 8, not 4, and it's not the Marathon Des Sables.

[LovelyFriend]

Last years sports day was cancelled due to THREAT of rain. This year there is talk of cancelling it due to heat/sun.

It all reeks a bit of "leaf on the tracks" to me.

[hazeyjane]

Nhs advice for high temperatures is to avoid the sun between 11-3, drink plenty of fluids, wear sun screen, and avoid excessive physical exertion.

Considering children are more at risk of heatstroke and vulnerable to sunburn, then having drinks whilst exercising in a heatwave, doesn't seem over the top to me at all!

[chantico]

Not all schools ban the application of sunscreen. It is individual policy.

Many schools in UK (like every school in Aus/NZ) either applies it, or insists on child top up (which takes longer, and is messier, and more likely to lead to cream everywhere), and it doesn't cause classroom management problems with timings etc.

They definitely need access to water (bottles, or fountains that work), and ideally shade. One for the PTA perhaps - fundraising for some basic canvas gazebos?

[littlejohnnydory]

I don't have a problem with doing PE but I don't think they should be forced to run round in the heat and I would be furious if my children were denied water.

[chickenfuckingpox]

sorry but my son came home dehydrated last week he had a small sip of water all day he sweats badly and he dehydrated fast

they need water bottles in this heat

[ASettlerOfCatan]

Mine did pe today outside. We saw them come back in with hats and badly applied suncream... They had water when they got back in. It would be the no suncream/hats that would bother me not the pe bit.

[ltk]

We did PE today. We sat in the shade and played games that could be done with minimal exertion. Without much standing up. It was lovely and breezy and cooler than the clasroom!

[WyrdByrd]

Doing PE, fair enough but not being sensible about water, shade etc is really bad.

My DD had PE this afternoon - the did 10 minutes activity, 10 minutes rest in the shade/drinks x3 so in effect only half an hour of PE but lots of water & shade.

Reassuring to hear for me as the have a 2.5 hour sports day on Friday & she's prone to fainting .

[HalfATankini]

Lol at Marathon Des Sables.