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Original poster

AIBU to ask if your primary school have banned water bottles in class

106 replies

crikeycrumbsblimey · 10/01/2022 17:48

Just having a discussion with a friend whose primary age DD has been told they are not allowed their water bottle in class and it needs to stay in the locker. They have said water bottles are distracting. They only allow access at breaks.

Could anyone let me know if their school has adopted the same policy? They have told my friend that "most" primary schools are adopting the same policy but between us we can't find a single other school.

YABU - my school does not allow water bottles in class
YANBU - my school allows water bottles in class

Just wondering how common this is. Thanks

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 10/01/2022 18:53

@Redlocks28

As for teachers drinking tea/coffee in the classroom, I was shocked when DD told me they did that at her school.Wait until break everyone!

I am on playground duty with my class every morning so don’t get a break (unless I am desperate for a wee and the head comes to watch my class for two minutes). I have a screw top flask in my classroom with tea in, otherwise I wouldn’t get a drink.

Was about to say the same!
simonisnotme · 10/01/2022 18:53

They do not need to keep sucking on water all day
A child is not going to get 'mildly dehydrated' from not drinking for a couple of hours unless its very hot

Jojobees · 10/01/2022 18:43

My son is yr 7 but his primary school banned drinks in the classroom in year 4 I think ( unless exceptionally hot),citing distraction, and disruption for the ban. Free access to water available at morning and afternoon break and lunch time.

Hospedia · 10/01/2022 18:38

Why do you need a bottle in class?

Because studies have shown that when children are even mildly dehydrated they have a measurable decline in mental ability which affects their learning. Not only is good for their cognitive function, it's good for their overall health.

NuttyinNotts · 10/01/2022 18:38

Tray out the way in my daughter's classroom. However she has hers on her desk as she has a medical condition that means drinking specific amounts of water during the day.

Redlocks28 · 10/01/2022 18:36

As for teachers drinking tea/coffee in the classroom, I was shocked when DD told me they did that at her school.Wait until break everyone!

I am on playground duty with my class every morning so don’t get a break (unless I am desperate for a wee and the head comes to watch my class for two minutes). I have a screw top flask in my classroom with tea in, otherwise I wouldn’t get a drink.

sheiselectric · 10/01/2022 18:35

I am a teacher and my school has not banned water bottles but I agree they are distracting. Most weeks, a child will spill one and water goes all over their book, the table and floor.

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 10/01/2022 18:33

In my class, we have them in a tray out the way. Otherwise the kids suck on them all day long which is disruptive with the noise and can't be good for their teeth!

mogsrus · 10/01/2022 18:28

Why do you need a bottle in class?

Poppitt58 · 10/01/2022 18:23

We provide them with one. They stay in a basket and have their name on. They can drink them whenever they like, apart from the teaching input (unless of course they have specific reason eg sore throat etc) never had an issue with them.

MeredithGreyishblue · 10/01/2022 18:23

Ours are in the classroom on the side.

I didn't have access to water at school either as a kid and consequently I don't drink very much from habit and, as an adult, frequently feel poorly from it. So, I think it's a good change, tbh.

WallaceinAnderland · 10/01/2022 18:22

YABU

LethargicActress · 10/01/2022 18:19

Our children’s water bottles are in class with them, but not on the tables where they work, that would be a nightmare! They can’t just get up in the middle of a lesson for water whenever they want, but they are encouraged to drink at designated times, more often than just lunch or break time.

pastapestoparmesan · 10/01/2022 18:17

Mine bring them in and keep them by the sink. They can have a drink whenever, as long as they’re not directly interrupting my teaching. It’s a complete non-event. Seems to me some schools/teachers enjoy creating unnecessary drama.

Daimari · 10/01/2022 18:17

I teach secondary and I have banned them from my classroom. I’m sick of kids crackling them and constantly drinking then being desperate for the toilet.

SouthOfFrance · 10/01/2022 18:15

My school have drink bottles in a tray on the side.

When I was at school there were no drinks except at lunchtime as far as I remember. It was a big deal when a water fountain was installed in the playground for breaktimes. Seems much better now that children are allowed a water bottle I think.

Fallagain · 10/01/2022 18:11

Nope, they sent a reminder last week to send them.

Davros · 10/01/2022 18:11

@ArblemarchTFruitbat

Slightly off topic but in my young day it was unheard of to have drinks in the classroom. You could get a drink of water at break or lunchtime. Why is it children nowadays need to have water bottles in the classroom?
Me too, why do people need to carry water around with them all the time? As for teachers drinking tea/coffee in the classroom, I was shocked when DD told me they did that at her school. Wait until break everyone!
ofwarren · 10/01/2022 18:08

My son has been to 3 different primary schools and in each the water bottles were kept in an open box in the classroom

Russell19 · 10/01/2022 18:08

I'm a teacher and in the morning my class put their bottles in a box by the sink and they can get a drink whenever they want apart from carpet teaching time (in Reception so only probably about 10/15 minutes 3x a day). The box also comes out at break time and snack time.

Pinkflipflop85 · 10/01/2022 18:08

Bottles in the classroom. Not allowed near desks. Set times when children have an opportunity to get a quick drink.

We are slightly more flexible in really hot weather.

Original poster
crikeycrumbsblimey · 10/01/2022 18:06

Thanks @WakeUpLockie @elliejjtiny @Hospedia

Really helpful to hear what other schools do!

OP posts:
Justkeeppedaling · 10/01/2022 18:04

I really don't get this constant drinking water thing either.

Original poster
crikeycrumbsblimey · 10/01/2022 18:04

@GTAlogic

Very helpful thanks. Agree re the desks - every school I know of has them in a specific place in the room so they can't mess with them. The amount of spills in a normal office shows what a disaster that would be.....

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 10/01/2022 18:02

My dc have their water bottles on their desks all the time.