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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be a bit annoyed with my sons teacher

23 replies

Sam1973 · 02/07/2012 22:57

DS's class at school are doing swimming for the next 2 weeks every day, which DS is very excited about. He suffers from Eczema and I asked the school if he could have a shower as soon as he comes out of the pool as otherwise he will flare up. The lessons are in a morning which means if he doesnt he will have the chlorine on his skin all day.

It was the first day today and he has come home and said that his teacher has said it wasnt "suitable" to let him shower every time... apparently the other kids arent showering?

Not sure what to do, do i speak to his teacher and explain again, do i stop him going or say ok dont have a shower and run the risk of his eczema flaring up and him being in pain...

OP posts:

kotinka · 02/07/2012 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FutTheShuckUp · 02/07/2012 22:58

Can you get a letter from the GP?

manicbmc · 02/07/2012 22:59

Could you get a doctor's letter saying he must have a shower after swimming?

It's a medical condition, after all. Would the teacher tell a child they can't have their inhaler?

lovebunny · 02/07/2012 22:59

both. speak to the teacher and if she can't guarantee a shower, stop him going. you can't have him in pain.

FutTheShuckUp · 02/07/2012 22:59

If they still refused I'd say he couldn't do it. His health and comfort should be paramount

paradisechick · 02/07/2012 22:59

As a chronic excema sufferer you are not being unreasonable.

Why on earth aren't any of them showering anyway?

whackamole · 02/07/2012 23:01

That's really not on. I suffer from chronic eczema, and know what the triggers are, and I would be really pissed off if a simple request was ignored like that.

But - do you know that the chlorine makes it flare up? Only because swimming always seems to help mine, I would always notice it was much better after a week away!

WorraLiberty · 02/07/2012 23:01

That's not on at all.

You say you 'asked the school', but who did you actually ask and what did they say?

whackamole · 02/07/2012 23:01

Sorry I hope that doesn't sound patronising, I mean has this happened before or are you assuming because it is chlorine?

lisaro · 02/07/2012 23:02

So it's 'suitable' to cause a little boy pain? Of course you're not BU. I'd actually see that as at best negligence, at worst almost an assault as she's purposely doing it.

Original poster

Sam1973 · 02/07/2012 23:04

I know from past experience whackamole that chlorine can make him flare up, but i dont want him to miss out on things he wants to do because of it.

He said he felt embarrassed when his teacher said this, which makes me mad as its not his fault he has a skin condition- he is only 9 FFS, if there was a problem they should have told me :o(

OP posts:

PissyDust · 02/07/2012 23:05

The school need to accommodate his needs, he needs to shower.

It would take to long for the whole class t shower but your DS has exceptional needs.

HuwEdwards · 02/07/2012 23:05

No showering at our school either - takes too much time apparently to get 30 kids in/out of the shower.

Original poster

Sam1973 · 02/07/2012 23:06

I told the school that he needs to shower because otherwise his eczema may flare up. It has happened before when we was in a rush when i took him swimming and it flared up really badly.

OP posts:

timetosmile · 02/07/2012 23:06

DD says they are not allowed to shower after school swimming either, as it would take too long to get them showered/dry/dressed in time to get the bus back to school. I am sure she is right (!) but still a little [sceptical] about it.

Original poster

Sam1973 · 02/07/2012 23:07

missed part of my last message out, meant to say was in a rush when we went swimming so didnt shower until we got home, thats when he flared up last time

OP posts:

timetosmile · 02/07/2012 23:07

even

WorraLiberty · 02/07/2012 23:09

When you say you told the school, who exactly did you tell?

If this person agreed then the teacher needs to know.

Otherwise, go straight to the Head.

redwhiteandblueeyedsusan · 02/07/2012 23:11

yanbu. complain, loudly. not acceptable.

Original poster

Sam1973 · 02/07/2012 23:11

I told one of the teachers that was going with him, but it was his teacher and the one i told that told him it wasnt suitable, thats why i thought id go and speak to her first tomorrow morning.

OP posts:

slacklucy · 02/07/2012 23:15

a school must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a child with a long term medical condition or disability.
A child should not be excluded where reasonable adjustments can be made to allow them to access the curriculum equal to their peers.

To not make reasonable adjustments is discrimnatory.
So yes if the only way your son can join in with swimming is to shower afterwards then they must allow him to shower.
If time is an issue maybe as a comprimise he can leave the pool 2 mins early to shower.

AbigailS · 02/07/2012 23:17

We don't have time to shower all ours and actually have them changed to be on time for the bus back to school. But I do gather up all the eczema-y children and get them out of the pool five minutes early so I can take them to the showers. Parents complained they had to get out early, but I have to supervise the shower area (pool open to the general public) and as they move from the pool to the shower and on to the school changing room and I can't be everywhere at once.

Original poster

Sam1973 · 02/07/2012 23:22

I think taking him out of the pool a few mins early is a brilliant idea and will suggest this to his teacher tomorrow. Thanks every one :o)

OP posts:

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