AIBU to be annoyed at school over fall?

[Bellyscreen]

DD started school this year, she’s in her third week in Reception.

She fell over today during PE. She said it happened when it was her turn to do something, I don’t know, like running round some cones. So the it was during supervised activity, the teacher and TAs would have been watching.

She’s really quite bruised and battered and scraped, it doesn’t look great. I asked her what the teachers had said about it and she said she hadn’t told them.

A genuine question - is it really up to her to mention it, would they only check her over if she tells them there’s a problem? Even if they see her fall?

She’s quite a quiet girl, and we’ve already had a couple of instances of her not being listened to - and she doesn’t know the names of the TAs either, so she can’t tell me who was there when it happened either.

My instinct was ‘well she should have said something’ but I’m second guessing myself. So I second opinion would be appreciated.

I think if a child fell whilst running round some cones, got up again, wasnt crying, limping or bleeding profusely then I'd assume their fine. If they werent fine Id expect to see some sign of it or have them tell me. And bruises and scapes are par for the course.

YABU, if she just got up and carried on with things then it would be strange for them to stop her and check from head to toe if she is okay.

That was my instinct too, but the damage is pretty bad! You can tell I’m a new school parent....

As a teacher it's amazing how kids don't tell anyone (teaching or lunchtime staff) that they have hurt themselves on the playground , they then go home, tell their parents and then parents come into school complaining.

If we know about it, believe me we will deal with it in the appropriate way.

Sadly we aren't mind readers.

How bad? Actual grazes that would have been bleeding?

You're annoyed with the school because your daughter fell over in the gym? Seriously? What exactly do you think the school should have done differently? Would you honestly relish a phone call every time she falls over and bruises her knees?

Dd1 used to never tell anyone of any injuries. She'd come home with her sock red with blood, or another time she felt dizzy and went and lay down and still didn't tell anyone.

Revenge was had with dd2 and ds. I think dd2 collected "bumped head" stickers at least 1 a week through primary. Ds once had 2 within half an hour.

I don't think dd2 had more injuries, just made more fuss about them.

Accidents happen, won’t be the first and certainly won’t be the last. If teachers went running every time kids had a fall they wouldn’t build resilience. Does she need medical attention? Doesn’t sound like it! Nor does it sound like staff have been neglectful.

It wasn’t in the gym, it was outside on the playground, whatever that stuff is made of - concrete I guess? Yeah there was bleeding, they really are quite bad. I think she might be scared of approaching the TAs, who completely dismissed her when something else happened last week. But my instinct was that she should have told them, and that’s what I told her, to get help if it happens again.

Thanks for the second opinion everyone, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Teaching Assistant and LO here, and the go to protocol whenever a child falls over/hurts themselves is to smile encouragingly and say something along the lines of "Whoopsey-daisy," or for something more serious, "are you okay?"

So if the child in question got up without a fuss and then carried on with the activity I would assume they were okay.

You also have to remember that we deal with the other extreme way more, and by that I mean children who are convinved their finger is hanging off when there is the most minute, if that. scratch there, one that would probably only be visible with a microscope.

Most children won't hesitate to let you know if they're hurt!

If she didn't cry they probably didn't notice, but I would have expected them to have seen it was bleeding. Dd has also just started in reception, they seem to be very on it with injuries. I've had 3 "I bumped my head/leg/arm" letters already and I get informed of every little trip and tumble. I'm pretty sure she goes running to the teacher though not the other way around.

YABU.

Following your update I DO think the teacher/TA should have noticed grazes and bleeding.
I would be speaking to the school tomorrow and showing them her injuries and asking how you can help encourage her to speak to feel more comfortable approaching staff for help. She is only little and I don’t think it should all be on her to speak up if she is naturally quieter and shy.

Any chance they didn't see her fall? They could have been looking at someone else and she could have jumped straight up to be brave?( has happened here, ds came home with a big dirty cut and we asked why he hadn't said anything and he said he just wanted to get on with pe)

Your poor baby........ However, you need to get a grip.

I’d forgotten that mumsnet is mainly for insulting strangers and getting your hatred out of your system. I accepted that my first instinct was right, thanks for those who said it with tact rather than being rude.

My little one (also first year) fell off a bike just before school finished and busted her lip up quite badly.
It was a shock to me, as never seen her so banged up.

I was cross at the time but accidents do happen and the school has to make decision whether it’s bad enough to call a parent etc.

I understand that you’re upset though, that is your child and any injuries are going to look worse to you.