Can kids do gymnastics on the field at playtime?

I'd imagine it's because football is (rightly or wrongly) encouraged pretty much everywhere (for boys and girls).

The rules are clearer and there will usually be someone around who can monitor how it's being played and how safely it's being played.

The issue with gymnastics is that the children aren't necessarily mindful of who is around them before they launch themselves into the air so some injuries happen that way. This is especially the case if they are effectively doing a 'routine'. And there likely to be fewer people (if anyone) around who are knowledgeable enough to recognise if a child is competent.

And, don't forget, we act in loco parents we are not the same as parents. What parents are happy to allow their children to do under their supervision is not the same as what we can allow them to do when under ours.

She's not suggesting that all gymnastics is banned just for clarity around whether aerial type moves are allowed. Because if she knowingly allows them to do something that the school doesn't technically permit then she will be held responsible for any injuries that do occur because the HT will just say, "Well, you shouldn't have allowed them to do that. You know we don't allow that."

And, tbh, if a parent posted on here after their child became injured doing a 'technically not permitted" gymnastics move at school (eg an aerial), the majority of posters would not be saying, "Blimey, OP, whats your problem? My childhood was spent doing cartwheels on the school field!"

Would they?

If there are kids genuinely doing complex tumbling passes and aerials in a field, as opposed to on a sprung floor, then yes, this seems dangerous. Is it just one or two children, OP? It seems unlikely that there would be a large cohort of kids of primary school age with this level of proficiency.

Like football?

I’m sorry but why are you a teacher when you’re so risk averse? It’s down to the parents and I’m sure they’ll be aware of what their children are doing. Just calm down.

It sounds like your playground needs zoning or different things on different days. The problem is not the football or the gymnastics or the playing tag. Its all three of them taking place in the same space.

I think some of the difference in attitudes here comes down to difference in children. I've got one child who is possibly part cat, always lands on her feet. She has amazing risk assessment skills and despite terrifying adults that don't know her, manages never to get injured. If she was my only child and I hadn't worked with children, I wouldn't see what the fuss is about. Some other children push beyond their capabilities and OP doesn't want them to do it on her watch.

Yes but if she pushes for this it’ll end up with all gymnastics being banned. She is only gunning for gymnastics.

I was responding to another poster who brought in boys games and I quoted them in my response.

Fucksake. The reading/comprehension abilities of some posters on here is at an all time low!

The OP has been quite clear what her concerns are. And they are not handstands and cartwheels.

On the basis that more kids are injured playing football than any other sport. Look it up.

The fact that the girls are doing it every day without injury!!! Just lighten up a little

How will they learn to do the move if can’t practice /try

No one wants to ban cartwheels and backflips.

OP is only on about gymnastics. The chances of a very serious injury are almost 0.

There are certain games we don't let the boys play too. And some of the boys aren't allowed to play football because it causes fights. And the only time I've ever seen a child taken to hospital for a football injury was a boy in my class at primary school who had his leg broken, and he wasn't even playing.

So, no. Not just the girls 🙄

I feel deeply sad that you’re trying to prevent this OP and very glad my child doesn’t go to that school!! Let them be kids!!

The OP isn't talking about handstands, cartwheels (one or two handed), handsprings or forwards/backwards walkovers, though.

She's talking about aerials and back tucks and back layout step outs (a backwards aerial apparently) which some of them will be learning/have learnt to do at clubs but which won't be appropriate to do on a school playing field without a qualified coach present. And the teachers won't know until it's too late of someone tries to do.it for the first time

At my daughter's last cheerleading competition, we saw 3 girls being wheeled off in wheelchairs and several who had already competed earlier on crutches. I've previpusly seen a girl take to hospital in an ambulance. And these are teenagers who are competent enough to be competing.

We as school staff discourage gymnastics. We have lots of grass but it's extremely uneven and our parents are unfortunately extremely precious (state primary school). We had one girl break her arm whilst cartwheeling (8 years ago) and since then the head has said no. It's a shame, but the risk we have of parents complaining and sighting every thing we've done wrong and the hassle that goes with it, it just isn't worth it.

I’d say the risks are higher with football, or some of the things boys get up to. But of course we must stop the girls!

I supervise at lunchtime and allow gymnastics on the grass but not the playground. Our head encourages all types of ‘risky’ play including tree climbing, skipping and having children playing football and basketball in the same area. It is chaos out there BUT the kids are actually very good at judging risk themselves now and accidents are rare. I hate it and it isn’t how I parent but I can see the benefits too.

Surely kids doing cartwheels and backflips on the school field is as old as time. I'm shocked that anyone would want to ban it.

I assume there is a difference between a cartwheel and an aerial move?

Do gymnastic clubs let their students do such moves on a hard surface? With other children running around them?