So annoyed it's snowing and my kids will be kept indoors all day because of safety fears

[TheDullWitch]

They won t even be allowed out at lunchtime in case they slip and their parents sue. It breaks my heart they are missing such a vital bit of childhood. Does anyone else have this?

I don t know why they don t let the cold, wimpy ones who cry if they get hit with snowballs stay in and let the others run about and have fun.

I was only talking about this subject this morning. We used to live in SE London and DS and pals weren't allowed out in the snow at school! It's part of childhood isn't it!!! Like someone else said, children must not have fun....nope no way!

DS2 was out in the snow at nursery this morning and loved it

Tis all gone now though.

This upset me on their behalf - they had to stay inside all day after I went to great lengths to get them out of our road (very sharp steep corner onto main road) to get them to school in the first place, telling them it would br fun at school because of the snow! (A neighbour kept hers off despite school being open , although I kind of wish I had too now, but I wouldn't dream of it). We had a new head a couple of years ago and she's health and safety on the brain!! Our old HT would have been out there with the whole school, staff vs kids in a fabulous snowball fight! This is one of ds1's best school memories and I hate the fact that this kind of childhood fun will not take place again under her leadership! Dd would have loved to make a snowman etc!

In defence of teachers(I am a t.a.)our teachers have to supervise their own classes if it is wet break no sitting in warm staff rooms!
Ours were not allowed out today as many of them had come inappropriately dressed for the weather (yes) and we werent happy to have them sitting in wet clothing for hours afterwards.

Mine have had extended playtimes and lunch break today, so they can have a good play.

DD tells me they built an igloo on the field, which collapsed on top of them all - quick can I sue

They changed into their tracksuits to boot, so they could play on the field and the astro turf!

Perhaps private education does have some benefits then [runs quickly]

Our primary school was shut (brilliant!!!). But pre-school, which is in a different village, was open. There was a very large snowman - with a bucket for a hat! - in the pre-school playground when I picked at lunchtime

All the pre-schoolers had worn boots, big coats, hats, gloves, etc so everyone was happy.

mine were sent home from school yesterday with a note telling them to be sure to come in today with a change of clothes in case they got wet in the snow. The school's approach is to bring playtime forward to straight after assembly and let the children get the excitement of snow out of their system so they can then behave for the rest of the day - much better than overexcited children cooped up until the snow has become too slushy to be fun.

So not all schools are killjoys.

my ds 2 couldnt wait to get home and go on his sledge..but ds1 told me that they were all outside at breaks and in his words, it was the best day ever at school!

I'm with Speedymama - please don't blame the faceless 'Health & Safety'. At school we were concerned as there wasn't enuough snow, so kids were scraping up snow + stones + debris to make snowballs - nasty if you get hit

Not just private schools, soapbox!! My children's (state) school let them have extra play time today. Amazing, as the head is a bit of a health and safety freak!

"Oh well then lock them in all day then, if it makes life easier for you teachers."

Har! It's nightmare city for teachers and all staff when kids are in for break.

There might be a silly school or Authority policy but teachers certainly wouldn't choose this option for a cushy life.

Also don't forget that if you let the kids play out & your child got hurt, you would feel diferent compared to if someone else was in charge of your kids, sent them out & they got hurt (well I would anyway)

If they slipped over that would teach them how to stand up in cold weather. I wouldn't blame the school.

when ds got to school this morning his teacher told him not to bother taking his wellies and coat off as they were all on their way outside to make snowmen. bravo. meant i didn't have to get wet & cold doing snow stuff!

You see that is great Hoxton Chick, why are some teachers like that and then others so ludicrously overcautious. I just don t understand.

My DCs frequently come home with cuts & bruises regardless of the weather, so it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if they acquired some more whilst playing in the snow (it wouldn't bother them either btw). But then I'm big on physical exercise and we're a very outdoorsy sort of family.

how annoying DullWitch - think I would write a letter in

I had to pick up dd at lunch time (she was ill) and the playground was full of kids making snowmen and having snow ball fights with the teachers . THey gave them the option of going out or staying in so some children did stay in and do colouring (mainly the girls it seemed to be!).

Not many turned up for school apparently and the teacher said they had a great time

It's a ridiculous symptom of our blame society. You've seen the ads - accident at work? make yourself £8k.

Of course children should be allowed to slide and fall over. Unfortunately the consequences can be too off-putting.

As an ex H&S person I do get cross when people blame 'Health & Safety' - when really they should be talking to the people who interpret the H&S guidance / regs.

PS - I'm all for kids having fun in the snow !

ds1 headteacher has so little to do with her time that she spends the morning confiscating snowballs of children as they enter the school gates then insistng they do not walk on snow - only on a cleared path - which i think is hilarious - so ignore her becaue i am very rebellous can't help it and march accross the snow