To object to boxing for PE?

It's for fitness, health, discipline and enjoyment. It's its own reward. No hitting of actual humans is required. You hit pads and bags in the same way you'd hit in a boxing match.

The only ring work I saw was in 6th class so age 12+ and was a trainer holding a body pad to practice.

So what do they do in the ring? I agree it has its benefits but the ops issue is the hitting of each other which she is not wrong about

Again I would have no issue with my child doing this but what is all the training for if not the ultimate goal of getting in a ring and boxing?

Boxing in primary on my experience is not hitting each other! It's punch bag, pads, and different exercises to support coordination. It is very popular in a lot of SEN provision here because it can help with aggression.

The idea of people punching each other makes no sense to me and I have no interest in it whatsoever but my child is not me so if they wanted to do this that is up to the

I think parents should only control so much and the sport does amazing good so I would have no issue as I doubt at that level there would be harm

where does it stop? How do kids get a chance to discover a sport then?

People moan about compulsory rugby, compulsory dance, cross country running.. Some parents object on principle to ANY sport whatsoever. It's shocking.

If it meant throwing the kids on a boxing ring with only gloves and a gum shield, then yes, it would be a bit much. General boxing training on the other hand? Nothing wrong with it. Even learning to skip is a very useful fitness tool

I did MMA for a few years before dislocating my knee and I have assisted with teaching kids classes. Martial arts is fantastic for learning discipline, patience, balance and coordination, breathing techniques etc. They will be hitting pads and punch bags, it's certainly nothing to worry about. Boxing is upper body and footwork only, no kicks/spins. Both my daughters will be starting MMA when they reach 4. People get put off by stereotypes but it's an amazing atmosphere and great fun for children. Instructors plan workouts for specific individuals around medical restrictions/medical history.

They almost never head the ball in playground football.

I do as well. Compulsory boxing. Absolutely not on.

I agree with you op , I don't think teaching an aggressive nd 13 year old tye correct way to punch is a good idea at all. Sounds like a disaster in the making

I think I'd be pulling him out of the boxing due to his recent head injury rather than anything else.

I can understand your concerns OP. I don't like the idea of boxing either and certainly would not have wanted any of my children hitting another person or being hit by someone. However, I think you probably need to enquire more closely about what they will actually be doing before writing it off. Sports that are more obviously dangerous often have very good safety procedures. I'm sure tge boxing coaches are well aware of the risks of their sport, but I think I would be more interested in what experience they have on working with young people with additional needs as that is perhaps more important.
All sports have risks. Some of your ideas about sports that are less dangerous are a bit misplaced. I'm a cycling coach and head injury is my biggest worry for the youngsters I coach. British Cycling, like many other sports has recently brought in a new concussion protocol and guidance for coaches and event organisers as awareness of the short and long term effects of head injury increases. Ditto hockey. There's been a big increase in the use of protective clothing and equipment in recent years but even so I have seen some nasty injuries on the hockey pitch. Google Sam Ward if you want to see the possible outcome of impact from a hockey ball. And I have a feeling that horse riding is often considered the most risky sport of all. Even things like squash or table tennis can cause nasty injuries. Anything with a fast moving projectile, other humans or animals in close proximity can cause harm, so that's most sports. Of course there are benefits as well or nobody would play anything, and it has to be a balance. Whilst some sports are more inherently risky than others, I think the most important thing is often the skill, attitude and experience of the people running the activity rather than what it actually is, and I'd be focusing my questions on that if I were you.

@drspouse I didn't mean just blackball cricket too, it's more that any sport will have injuries. Hockey balls cause broken noses and concussion, netball breaks fingers. It's shades of grey, not black and white. Generally the benefits outweigh the negatives in health terms for most people, most of the time.

I do think team sports are quite challenging to do at a special school though. At DS's there is a lot of PDA and the level of compliance it would demand just wouldn't be worth it.

I work in an AP school (SEMH needs). We do boxing - they use bags and pads. We have a gym with lots of equipment and do one day a week outdoor learning (varies but includes mountain biking, skiing, swimming, trampolining, visits to zoos or the beach - all sorts and yes, sometimes inside...). Football or basketball during breaks, and we have football matches against another AP school, but not other traditional sports. We just don't have the space. If you expressed your concerns to us, we'd be happy to invite you in to discuss our curriculum and why it is the way it is.

I am sure rugby and hockey would NOT be safer at all, they would be so much worst! Any team sport has to be avoided after skull fracture or concussion, for obvious reason.

There's a real double think here - why is it OK for to hit a boxing pad but not OK for an adult to hit the wall in their house?

seriously? What a stupid comment. You think they are the same?
Why is it ok to tackle your opponent on a football or better rugby field, but not your teacher in the street?

football at break is ok? You are having a laugh. Football gets so bad in my kids school, it's banned most of the year because they can't behave and the number of injuries has gone too far 😂And it's the same everywhere -that's what happen when kids play without a solid ref.

I know that one solution can't fit all, which makes it always tricky for the school, but the moral view on boxing that you know nothing about is offensive and not very well thought. I am the first one to admit that someone like me, white collar city-worker girly female can't be compared with a bare-knuckle street "fighter", but is the school likely to go for anything else than mainstream boxing?

Most of the studies of catharsis theory (which is what this is called) show that providing an "outlet" increases, rather than decreases, aggression.
Calming your nervous system by e.g. breathing deeply, taking a time out, reducing sensory input (ear defenders!), non-contact exercise, seem much more effective.

Then I would discuss this with the SENCo and ask them to liaise with the PE teacher, as it's unreasonable to expect the average PE teacher to be well-versed on the latest research on catharsis theory.

I think you need to find out more. I do get why you'd be very dubious about him learning to punch (anything) faster, harder, more accurately and with better technique. Those who disagree should walk a few miles in your shoes trying to keep yourselves and your younger DC safe in your own home. OTOH I can see an argument for a punchbag as part of his regulation toolkit.

I'm not sure cricket, rugby or hockey would be any safer for a child who's recently had a skull fracture. Cricket had really clamped down on concussion protocol after some serious injuries and at least one fatality. You can get a nasty head injury even with a helmet and neck protector.

Boxing can be amazing for ADHD boys. Give it a chance OP, although I think outdoor ed would have been the better option. At that age it should be done safely, and in a controlled manner, but it can do all sorts for the attention deficit given that it requires high activity, attention to detail and boosts endorphins. Great start to a school day.