School and PE

[Gorja]

DD1 is year 8. She has a badly infected toe that she is on antibiotics for and looks like she may have to have the nail removed.
She was due to do PE today.
I wrote a note this morning explaining she could do PE and set off happily to work. When I got Hime she told me she had given her teacher the nite and been told she had to do PE as it would be ok as it was just handball.
She had been made to wear spare PE kit as I hadn't sent hers with her - as I had written a note so didn't expect her to be doing PE.
She had to wear trainers that were too small for her as that is all they had.
This evening she is in a huge amount of pain and very tearful.
Would I be unreasonable to contact the school and tell them they are not to make her do PE if she has a note?
I do understand that some kids avoid PE and I do know she's not a huge fan of it and probably doesn't try very hard in it.
But surely if as a parent I write a note as she is in pain the school should respect my judgement and not make her participate?
She's my eldest so not sure if I'm over reacting but she really is in a lot of pain tonight which she wouldn't be had she not had to do PE.

[user1479655572]

Pretty sure 'that's all they had' is not an excuse for making a child wear shoes that are too small, regardless of the infected toe nail. I'm a teacher and I think that's ridiculous. Did your dd say they were too small? if they did and the teacher ignored them you would NBU to go in and kick off, especially with the added factor of the infection/note.

[FameNameGameLame]

YANBU but these sorts of stories are still surprisingly common. Had to speak to a teacher just today to make sure he knew that I knewwhat was going on his classroom with my child. Funnily enough DS came home a lot more like his usual self:

[Trifleorbust]

You can't expect to just write a note to say your child can't do PE any more than to say she can't do Maths. If there is no doctor's note it is a matter for the teacher's discretion, or you keep her off.

The small trainers thing isn't great but she should have had her kit.

[harderandharder2breathe]

Trifleorbust, funny cause parents have done that for generations! PE I mean not maths

Doctors don't need their time wasted writing notes for PE

Unless a child is constantly missing PE for flimsy excuses then s parents note should be sufficient

[Gorja]

But Trifleorbust she is in pain when she has to run she isn't in pain when she is sat down in maths.
Surely it's better she goes in and attends the lessons that aren't painful rather than miss out on all her lessons?

[Mamabear14]

I would absolutely expect to be able to just write a note and say my child wasn't doing PE. I know my child best as as their parent know their medical needs more than their teacher. If a PE teacher disregarded my letter then I would be kicking off. Massively.

[Mypurplecaravan]

Really trifle. A doctors note for an infected toe? Can't teachers use their own senses to realise that bending an infected appendage is likely to hurt. Wearing too small trainers will only make things worse.

Doctors have enough to do without excusing little Johnny from pe.and a cold may be well enough for school but too unwell for pe (asthma exacerbations spring to mind. Oh and infected toes!)

But some pe teachers seem of the opinion that unless your leg is hanging off you sound do pe. An attitude that sadly puts a number of young people off participating in sport for life.

[IAmNotACat]

You can't expect to just write a note to say your child can't do PE any more than to say she can't do Maths

Of course you can! If there a physical injury that doesn't require doctor but is clearly stopping a child from doing physical activity, a parent absolutely should be able to write a note saying their child can't do PE. It's not the same as any other lesson -- no other lesson could cause pain or worsen an injury like PE can.

[kali110]

So now we need to waste gp's time to get a note?
Ridiculous!
you wouldn't even get an app at my old surgery within 2 weeks...
I would def be going into the school.
You wrote a note with good reason.
Infected toe nails are awful.
Bet the the too small shoes have done wonders for the pain!
I wouldn't like to be the next person to wear that trainer either

[JellyBelli]

YANBU. How is it necessary to go all the way to the doctors to gt them to write a note about something as obvious as an infected toe?

[ivykaty44]

Don't be silly op the teacher will know best and obviously wants your dd in pain and couldn't give a shot.

Then will moan that teenage girls give up on PE and wonder why...

My dd's PE teachers knew best until the paramedics had to be called - then they were in shock as dd had collapsed. They had been warned. Thing was dd loved sport all sport any sport

[Gorja]

There is that point Kali. I don't think I'd want to put my foot in them!

[redcaryellowcar]

I don't think they should have made her do PE and certainly not in I'll fitting trainers, but please do reflect on harder s point, is this something which is happening regularly and is your dd missing a lot of PE?

[Ditsyprint40]

I would complain about her being made to do PE when you have written a note! Unless they have reason to suspect it is not valid or a regular occurrence, in which case they contact you!

At our school usually kids who have a minor injury or feel unwell still have to change into kit, but then do refereeing or some other role (or sit out).

[EweAreHere]

Of course a parent can write a note about not doing PE for a variety of perfectly legitimate reasons. GP time shouldn't be wasted getting a note for a lot of things.

THe school was out of order and you should complain. In writing.

[Gorja]

This is the first time since starting secondary school I have written her a note redcaryellowcar.
I know she doesn't enjoy PE but if she is physically fine then she knows I expect her to do it. She also hasn't had a day off sick since she started. I'm really not a soft touch!

[sananbaz]

I think some pe teachers still fit the old style stereotype! My ds has a care plan, an OT assessment, physio assessment (who also visited the school), and numerous specialists saying no contact sports/ adaptations for all other sports etc, and I've still had to go in to school five times as he is being expected to participate in activities that could paralyse him! He finally has a TA for PE, but I think she is only there to remind the teachers to follow the careplan!
You should complain, but IME, PE teachers don't seem as open to medical needs as other teachers....good luck.

[Ditsyprint40]

I just find that PE staff teach so many kids, and often rotate, that they seem to regularly forget about some individual needs. I don't think it is intentional.

[Trifleorbust]

Yes, everyone, sorry. Teachers can't be expected to take the word of every parent who says their kid can't possibly do PE. Some kids try that on every week. They need some medical evidence for letting them sit out.

[ivykaty44]

Teachers by ignoring important information given by parents could cause irreparable damage

[Mypurplecaravan]

Just look at the toe trifle. Medical evidence enough?

If the infection worsens as a result of pus being squeezed into too tight shoes and spreads up the leg and the child ends up more unwell.... and the teacher is found to have ignored a reasonable letter from a reasonable person (op says this is the first time ever) and caused this to happen, there would seem a risk of civil suit.

Would you need the same if a broken leg? If not why not? If yes, went the hell yes?

[ClassmateHB]

At our school, even with a note out are expected to take your kit. You change, and then referee, or write team plans, or keep score. But you're still expected to bring your kit. Otherwise yes, you have to borrow whatever is there.

[waterrat]

Laughably ridiculous to suggest a Dr note ..as if doctors have time to waste getting kids off PE

[Trifleorbust]

Maybe I am the unreasonable one here then. I am just not sure a note without evidence is sufficient. But I am prepared to accept it if I am wrong.

[Willow2016]

I think an inflammed toe would be pretty obvious to anyone!

I would def be in to complain about it, it must have been agony (I know from expereince!)

My son cant do gymnastics at the moment as his exema is out all over his hands and he cant put pressure on the open skin. He has done all other types of pe every week without fail but there is no way he can climb a rope or do other stuff on the open skin.
One PE teacher is fine as he can see he cant do it from the state of his hands but he needs a note for the other! He still goes into class to help out etc so still takes his kit.

I wouldnt bother a GP to get a note its ridiculous.