Will I sound like that parent?

[CCC1]

Probably a more of a WWYD.

My son (15) has been getting increasing lower back problems over the last year. He’s really, really robust so it’s unlike him to complain unless it’s properly bothering him.

We noticed at Christmas it suddenly got better. Great! Then it got progressively worse again and then better at the end of half term and again at Easter. We suddenly realised it’s the benches at school.

He’s doing triple science and DT GCSEs (lots of double periods too) all done at traditional science tables and benches - as I’m sure children are up and down the country. So a large portion of his week is spent on them.

I too remember slouching at a science bench and how uncomfortable they were (though I was shit at science and only did chemistry scraping a C 😄).

It also struck me as a manager that has to do annual workplace H&S desktop user assessments for staff, that benches probably wouldn’t pass the muster in a modern workplace, so why are we putting growing children on them?

BUT, they seem like such an institution that it seems a bit snowflakey to complain and I can imagine eyes rolling - especially as generations of scientists have probably grown up slouching on science benches (and will no doubt say it never harmed them).

I think if you say it in a polite, constructive way then you will be OK, though unlikely anything much can be done.

So 'DS has had back pain, we think due to time sat at science & DT benches. Can anything be done eg different stool, more standing up breaks etc' would be OK.
Whereas 'My darling DS is being hurt by your benches, please replace them straight away or give him an armchair at the front of class', not so much.

I agree with @TeenTimesTwo - feedback is good, but it's all in the delivery as to whether it's received positively as intended.

I agree with teen.
'DS is having soem back ache and we think it's exacerbated by some of the benches. Is there a way to try to alleviate it, e.g. standing more etc' will be much better than what some parents do when they go into snowflake mode.

I'd also pick who you speak to carefully. A head of year for something like this would probably be the best port of call as a tutor is unlikely to have the ability to sign off on any changes and going to SLT citing health and safety is excessive.

Are you sure it’s the benches and not his school bag?

Where I work adults work at benches in labs, so it does pass workplace safety assessments.
Approach this from his needs only. But be sure that is the cause. More likely to be his bag.

Are you sure it's the benches and not stress? Stress can come out in physical ways and stress is one of the most common.
How is he finding the work?

Does he carry a heavy rucksack on one shoulder ?

I had chronic backache throughout school. Like your son it was due to the uncomfortable cheap wooden chairs and would clear up like magic every holiday.
Eventually my parents complained and I was allowed to sit on a computer chair for most classes. I haven’t had any problems since leaving school.

I remember at school and 6th form, the stools were way too high for the benches (I was also very tall, taller than most of the teenage boys). At university (lab based science degree) the stools were much lower

Our primary school has just introduced ergonomic chairs and tables for one class. (Ironically my son came out moaning about them!) So you can only ask.....

It could very well be the chairs and it is worth mentioning.

More importantly I would take him to his GP and ask for a physio referral. It is not normal for 15yos to have back pain and should be checked out

Why doesn’t he just suit properly then?

I had terrible backache from crap chairs at secondary school. I was allowed to have one of those kneeling chairs. And that was 25 years ago. Surely schools can cope with this request now?
My parents had to pay for the chair though, and it came on wheels, so I could move it around from room to room. And no, I never got bullied about it.

Why the school benches?

What sport does he do during term? Rugby, gym and running can all cause problems. What sports shoes does he wear? Are they supportive enough? Does he carry a back pack?

What does he think is the problem?

You need benches in science labs to do practical work. They are not allowed to be seated, and bending over a table when working with bunsens and chemicals will never be allowed either. Are you sure it’s the science and technology lessons causing the issues? GCSE students these days have to do required practicals in science, and they do way more practical lessons than I ever did in my day, so this means more standing and moving around than sitting at benches every lesson.

Has he had any medical tests could be something else. My cousin had a medical condition diagnosed at 16 (not in his back) and his only symptom was backache.