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Original poster

Shouldn’t after school clubs be for everybody?

107 replies

Passionfruitlove · 11/01/2025 07:33

8yo (year 4) DS school offers free after school clubs. They start the second week of every new term. He usually attends football and basketball. School sends an invite out via email then we click on a link to register interest. Yesterday I realised I hadn’t received any emails about it so I phoned the office. They told me that emails were sent out and all places were fully booked. I told them that I hadn’t received any emails and was told that the sports coach had started offering places based on ability.

DS then told me that 3 boys out of his class had been chosen for both football and basketball. I understand going off ability for competitions/tournaments but surely after school clubs should be for everyone?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Passionfruitlove · 11/01/2025 07:40

I am wondering if they are preparing for a competition/tournament but surely this should be done separate

OP posts:
Tia86 · 11/01/2025 07:40

This seems rather mean for a club that is provided after school and presumably free.
Our clubs are first come first served, so your son might still not get a place, but in theory it should be a fairer process (and if a club runs in the next term, those who didn't get a place previously get first chance at it).

Saltandvin · 11/01/2025 07:38

As a teacher, I'd be quite embarrassed to have to try and justify basing it on ability to parents! Doesn't fit with the ethos of most primaries at all.

Skiptogetfit · 11/01/2025 07:38

Passionfruitlove · 11/01/2025 07:33

8yo (year 4) DS school offers free after school clubs. They start the second week of every new term. He usually attends football and basketball. School sends an invite out via email then we click on a link to register interest. Yesterday I realised I hadn’t received any emails about it so I phoned the office. They told me that emails were sent out and all places were fully booked. I told them that I hadn’t received any emails and was told that the sports coach had started offering places based on ability.

DS then told me that 3 boys out of his class had been chosen for both football and basketball. I understand going off ability for competitions/tournaments but surely after school clubs should be for everyone?!

That’s rubbish. Here (scotland) the rules are very strict for school football that every player on a team must get equal pitch time to ensure opportunities within the team get shared, but there are still some children who want to play who don’t make it onto the team.

I don’t think the team selection ought to be down to who answers the emails first. Maybe the solution is some get on the team one year and not the next? Or hope a parent offered to start another team (if state school). If private school I’d expect the school to start another team.

ThejoyofNC · 11/01/2025 07:37

Totally agree. It's a primary after school club, not an elite team. I would complain about this and say that there should be a separate, paid for, club for those wanting to be elite.

Mounjarry · 11/01/2025 07:36

I personally think free clubs should be open to all, fair enough if there are paid sports clubs that sort by ability, but that does seem unfair (I expect those that are good at them are more likely to do paid sports clubs outside of school too). I have no idea if there are any rules as such for schools to follow, guessing not, but certainly at DS' school one of the aims of the free after school clubs are to make these activities accessible.

Coldcoldwinterweather · 11/01/2025 07:36

I totally agree with you OP.

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