To be annoyed with the PE teacher

[legofansmum]

My DS sprained his ankle in PE last week, no one’s fault , just an accident, possibly more likely due to his ASD and dyspraxia.

He had it X-Rayed, the nurse did think it may be broken, but fortunately it wasn’t.

I wrote him a note excusing him from PE today, it’s still healing. The teacher didn’t read it but told DS he looked fine and expects him to do PE Monday, next lesson.

His ankle isn’t better yet, it’s still healing. I’ll be working, I work in a school myself so can’t tske him out for that lesson etc... DS is is all worked up and anxious now. I’ve told him I won’t be sending the kit, he can take part when it’s healed more.

What would you do ?

Why are PE teachers like this? I've never met one that wasn't a bastard. Phone the school and tell them

Will it possibly be better in three days time, ie Monday?

A sprain can take longer to heal than a break.
Saying that DD’s school have a rule about taking PE kit and changing even if not physically taking part. They can still ‘join in’ with umpiring, time keeping etc.
Everybody gets changed and everybody is included some how.

The school office is closed now. This drives me mad as it is by the time DS gets home and tells me what haokems. He had ASD, so life isn’t easy for him.

I work in a school myself , I’m usually at work by the time I can get through on a morning. I’m so annoyed. Once it’s healed, he’ll be doing lessons again with my blessing. I don’t want him damaging it further.

And yet more evidence why PE should be abolished imo. What is with these PE bullies? Do they get paid per student per lesson or something? What is their obsession with bullying students into PE? I genuinely believe that most PE teachers were school bullies when they were younger. Seriously, it is ridiculous how obsessed they are. I would write a letter saying that his foot is not healed and as his mother this note is to say that under no circumstances is my son to participate in PE today, and you appreciate it if they respect your wishes. Also embolden him to say no and to refuse to participate, even if it means standing still.

My DD1 (9) has sprained her ankle a couple of times; she was advised to skip PE for 4 weeks, though her ankle was pretty much healed after 2 weeks. Basically it depends on how well the ankle heals; hers wasn't such a serious sprain thankfully.

I've had quite a few very bad sprains and I agree that they can be more damaging than a straightforward fracture and you can be vulnerable to further sprains. They took 3-4 weeks to heal, as I recall. I certainly couldn't have done PE for at least the first 2 weeks.

When your DS's ankle was X-rayed, did they give any advice about PE? That was very helpful when DD1 hurt her ankle.

I’m going to stick my neck out and say that a PE teacher isn’t more qualified or more intelligent than a doctor or nurse to comment

I know the hospital daidnto rest it , but I can’t remember how long for. My son had ASD, he is 12 and was having a meltdown as he couldn’t walk or use crutches. He is getting about , but it is still healing. The swelling is going down , but there is still bruising - given not as much as when he did it, the bruising was awful.

Sorry, that should have said I know they said to rest it.

Fucking PE teachers again! The profession of useless bullies. One of them tried to break my nose with a net ball once - when she didn’t and I just got on with it she threw it at my face again. I wish I’d told my mum at the time. Fight your boy’s corner OP.

I would be annoyed too OP.
I would write him an off games note in the strongest possible terms.

I would also email the teacher (CCing his form tutor and the head of PE). In the email I would explain the note and that the events of today have made DS have a meltdown, increased his anxiety and in all likelihood ruined his weekend.

Tell DS to show your note to his form teacher on Monday morning and ask for advice.

If you don’t get an apology and an assurance that the PE teacher will act more professionally next time (ie ask for a note from the parent to be shown/act compassionately) I would escalate to at least DH level.

Thanks. I don’t know why they’re like it. My son really struggled with PE lessons when he’s not injured due to his dyspraxia and they’re not very understanding of that a lot of the time.

It annoys me as I’m almost certain that if a child struggled with Maths or English then they wouldn’t be treated like the children who struggle with PE.

Fucking PE teachers again! The profession of useless bullies.

You know every PE teacher everywhere? Wow.

DS had a note journal from me, but the teacher didn’t want to see it. I’m so annoyed. It said in ther eif there were any issues to phone me and gave my number.

I’ll have to email his Keyworker Monday to get her to forward it to the PE staff. Think I’ll attach a photo of the injured ankle too, it’s black and blue.

@sonlypuppyfat that’s sad that all the PE teachers you have met are bastards.

@legofansmum does DS have PE today as well as Monday? Sorry to hear he has hurt his ankle and you’re right ankles can take a little longer to heal. Could you write a note on Monday explaining that it’s still sore but he has brought his PE kit to get involved where he can e.g. umpiring coaching etc. Perhaps that’s what the teacher meant and he wasn’t that clear to DS.

@salemtheblackcat would you be in favour of no exercise for children at school if PE were abolished? Just wondering in a nation that is increasingly becoming more obese and having increasing weight related health complications putting further strain on the NHS. Coupled with children and teenagers not being as actives as times gone by due to more technology and perhaps less safe so far less playing on street cycling over to next town etc.

I think it would be reasonable to ask for DS to perform those tasks he can in PE as presumably he is still walking to and from lesson so can walk in a PE lesson to help out/coach still be involved in the lesson. It is also the policy of our local school if pupil is excused for. PE for whatever reason they still bring kit get changed and are involved in whatever aspect they can be.

Two years after spraining her ankle dd is under the hospital for specialist physio. I would send in another letter (proper letter not a note) copied to head of year/pastoral to say that on medical advice under no circumstances is your son to undertake x, y & z activities including PE and remind them of their duty of care/consequences of going against medical advice. My dd is a dancer so she did stretching/physio excercise at the side during lessons. Is there anything similar your son can do?

I would keep DS off school until his ankle is healed. I wouldn't trust a PE teacher to read a note or agree to let DS sit out the lesson. Most PE teachers IME consider themselves to be more important then the Head. They are clearly more qualified than any GP or nurse. Don't forget, it's their life work making sure that most children are as miserable as possible during PE with the added bonus that it will put them off sports and being active for life.

YANBU but some of the comments about PE teachers and attitudes to PE are ridiculous. A huge number of children bring notes to excuse themselves from games for many and varied reasons yet those same children are rushing around at break playing football and jumping around like mad things. Sceptical attitudes come from the fact that, more often than not, children don't need to be off games as long or as often as they are. That absolutely shouldn't translate to not believing genuine cases. But the frustration must be immense. I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have 4 or 5 children opting out of my classes each week.

I don't understand how your son can have had ASD when younger but not now though? It doesn't just go away. Have you had him assessed recently? It may be that he needs some more support?

Oh bore off dear with that totally original comment.

Oh the irony.

OP you need to contact the head.

My son still has ASD, very much so. He was diagnosed at three. He also has co morbid dyspraxia. Apologise if that wasn’t clear in previous messages.

DS struggles with all aspects of sport, I’m not sure how he’d be at umpiring etc... he just really doesn’t understand it all.

He came home very distressed.

We had a right bitch of a PE teacher when I was a kid. I had glandular fever and the doctor advised that I shouldn't do PE for the whole half term. My Mum wrote a note explaining this. The teacher then had a go at me the following week because I hadn't produced another note. So, even though my Mum had explained that I wouldn't be able to do 6 weeks of PE, she wanted a new note written every week. If I remember rightly, the teacher was a right cow to me and so I was in tears when I got home.
My Mum was great though. She looked up the teachers phone number and got through on the phone to her and ripped her a new one. She had the teacher in tears.

I would never normally condone something like that as teachers don't have an easy job. But, this particular teacher was a total and utter bully and on a constant power trip. I'm hoping that it made her think twice about picking on kids for things outside
of their control again. She certainly never upset me again!
She really creeped me out anyway, she always seemed to be watching us change after being in the shower, as if it wasn't humiliating enough getting naked in front of other pubescent girls when everyone was at different stages of development.

manic had is clearly a typo for has

My DS sprained his ankle 2 weeks before Christmas holiday. His school nurse signed him off PE until end of term. His PE teacher made no attempt to argue it. And they checked he was ok at the start of this term before resuming. Not all PE teachers are bastards. #NAPETAB !

OP I two children with ASD so I feel your pain. I just tell my dd “well stop worrying about it because you won’t be doing it and that’s that, I will be phoning on Monday and will go in if necessary to speak to your teacher”. Sheknows I will too as I have previously and then she stops worrying. Dd actually broke her two small toes once and was wearing a croc on that foot as it healed. After one week she was told to be in the proper uniform on the Monday. I was very angry and showed it. Needless to say dd wore her crocs as long as it took - on doctors orders - and now knows I will always follow through with things that are worrying her like that.

@Whatelsecouldibecalled I don't believe in PE at schools, so yes. I believe schools should be for academic learning. Children can run around and play sport in their own time at home. It's not like doing it at school will stop obesity and at home won't. PE should be abolished or at least made as an elective so students have a choice, it shouldn't be compulsory. There is less time as it is these days to teach the basics, and that period/timeslot/block whatever you want to call it that is taken up - wasted by PE could be used for revision or even a student picking up another elective subject. That extra period of actual school learning could make the difference in leaving scores. There is no need for PE, it is a waste of time and resources.