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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think my ds should be allowed to skateboard to school.....

77 replies

Hakluyt · 13/06/2014 17:53

.....if he doesn't use it in school and chains it to the bike rack during the day?

He has been told today that he's not allowed. No suggestion that he caused any problems for other road users or anything like that. He wasn't told off, or punished- just told that he isn't allowed to board to or from school. I'm not going to object obviously, and I've told him to deal with it- rules is rules- but I really don't think it's fair. Any thoughts?

OP posts:

ikeaismylocal · 13/06/2014 17:56

What! They can't tell him how he can travel to school surely?

KatieKaye · 13/06/2014 17:56

Can the school actually dictate how a pupil travels to school?
I agree they can forbid the skateboard on school premises, but don't see how they can state what your son does outside school hours.

I have no knowledge about this at all - but it sounds very strange indeed. And it's an ecologically friendly way of travelling too, plus gives him exercise. Does the school place limits on pupils travelling to school by bike or roller blades?

Rainbunny · 13/06/2014 17:57

I have no opinion on the schools policy, but as someone who walks to work everyday I kind of hate people on skateboards, they're really suitable to use on crowded pavements. I've seen too many bear misses and some collisions.

Rainbunny · 13/06/2014 17:57

Sorry, "they're really NOT suitable to use on crowded pavements."

Vivacia · 13/06/2014 17:58

I suspect they've had problems with the skateboards on site rather than a problem with how he uses it on the pavement.

Original poster

Hakluyt · 13/06/2014 18:06

He hasn't used it on th school site- I'm sure of that.

OP posts:

Lottiedoubtie · 13/06/2014 18:10

My school does a 'safer routes to school' survey that the council enforces, 'skateboarding' is one of the encouraged options. (Anything to get them out of cars).

DogCalledRudis · 13/06/2014 18:21

Complain officially, go to press, this is absolutely ridiculous

Andrewofgg · 13/06/2014 18:27

If one is allowed, there will be more, and then some of them won't leave it chained up all day and there will be accidents and losses. YABU.

Original poster

Hakluyt · 13/06/2014 18:29

But they are encouraged to cycle.........

OP posts:

Sirzy · 13/06/2014 18:30

Why not phone the school and ask them why they feel it is a problem?

Nomama · 13/06/2014 18:34

Crikey! I thought all no motorised ways of getting to school were being supported. Lots of skateboards and scooters round here.

Don't complain about it, that wouldn't get you off on the right foot. But do ask what the school are doing to support healthy transport and maybe see if you can get the PTA onto it, start a group, etc. Make a positive out of it, cos I don't really see what their problem is if, as you say, there has been no on site trouble.

WaffleWiffle · 13/06/2014 18:36

Could it be that school spoke to your son and he misinterpreted it? Worth checking with school.

My daughter came home crying one day a few months ago saying she's been told off about scootering to school. Typical DD overreaction, she said she wasn't allowed to scooter anymore. Turns out that school had just asked her to be careful on the road immediately outside of school where there are lots of people/children. Not that she wasn't allowed to scooter at all, just to slow down and be careful when the pavement is busy. Which is fair enough I think.

Original poster

Hakluyt · 13/06/2014 18:41

"
Thanks for your response. X should not skateboard on the way to school. It is not safe nor appropriate with the A2 close-by with narrow pavements, getting crowded at school rush times. We do not want to set a precedent now as we already have Health and Safety concerns with students walking to school, let alone skateboarding.

This is the email. The school is on a very busy road- but there is a bridge and the kids are not allowed to cross the road any other way (staff on duty to enforce this) I suppose the roads immediately around the school are a bit crowded (but at school time just with kids from the school- they aren't shopping streets) And ds has already come over a mile before h gets there.

OP posts:

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 13/06/2014 18:44

Completely fair enough Waffle.
I think anything with wheels shouldn't be on the pavement unless it's going at walking pace / a long way away from any pedestrians so not sure why school would single out skateboards.

Sirzy · 13/06/2014 18:45

I think that's fair enough then.

WaffleWiffle · 13/06/2014 18:46

Hakluyt, I would be kicking off about that email. Mollycoddling. Health & Safety gone mad!

cosmicstardust · 13/06/2014 18:48

I used to roller blade to school because I thought I was cool That was in the US though.

Are they allowed micro scooters OP? DD's elementary has banned skateboards to and from school too, but micro scooters are fine. I fail to see how a micro scooter isn't just a skateboard with a handlebar

DogCalledRudis · 13/06/2014 18:49

Exactly! H&s so full of shit these days

RiverTam · 13/06/2014 18:52

they have issues with children walking to school??? What, they want everyone to drive?? Also, an article on Radio 4 recently made the point that H&S is frequently brought out when in fact there is no legal H&S issue at all, so I'd query that. But really, I don't think they can dictate how a child gets to school.

KatieKaye · 13/06/2014 18:54

AH, the devil is in the details!
"Should not" does not equate to "cannot". The school is merely suggesting that pupils should not skateboard.
the safety concerns they voice are fair, but this does not mean they can stop DS using his skateboard. Clearly you do not feel he is in any danger so perhaps he could get off the board if the pavement is busy?

I'd get back to them and say that you are content for DS to continue to use his board as a healthy means of getting to school, but have reminded him to be courteous to pedestrians. And that you have no H&S concerns with this method of transport.

And importantly, stick in something like "Therefore, I give DS express permission to use his board and do not expect any member of school staff to discuss the matter with him."

Nomama · 13/06/2014 18:58

That is total bollocks, by the way. H+S issues with kids walking is a complete red herring and utter jobsworthing. They are not the last word in how your kid gets to school.

Yes, they can say he can't have his board on the premises, an effective ban, but they cannot ban him from using it to go to and from.

Get onto the LA and council, see what they say. But I too would consider that narrow pavements and a busy road mean they have a point - but should have made it an advisory notice, awareness raising instead of a ban.

Original poster

Hakluyt · 13/06/2014 18:58

Ah, well, I'm actually a great believer in Health and Safety. I don't think I've ever come across a genuine Health and Safety thing I didn't agree with. But I do think this is a bit odd. Particularly considering that they have to use the bridge.

OP posts:

Nomama · 13/06/2014 18:59

Oh! I read that back too late - should not - tell them to stick it - or the polite version, what Katie said

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 13/06/2014 19:03

I'm not sure they can actually dictate anything if he's not actually at school can they?

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