To think DS sports day was odd and not really in the spirit of inclusion?

[Notbeinfunnehbut]

Me and DH and DM attended DS sports day yesterday
it was very hot and it wasn’t set out like a traditional sports day I.e activities each team goes round
mall kids were seated , activities did happen but certain kids from each team were read out and all other kids remained seated , there were children who took part in multiple races , and some none my son did 1! Being stood in a sun trap for over 2 hours to see him do one race at the end 😡

like I said some kids did nothing,

I asked him and he said teachers asked kids which ones they wanted to do instead

AIBU to think the whole point of SD is that everyone takes part??

They're not forced to do maths in front of the whole school and parents though, are they!!

Thanks great post

I totally appreciate different view points

But some of the replies have been. … 🙄

Yes very sad my mum had to return to work without seeing him do anything

My ds took part in his sports day yesterday. He was part of a small team of helpers (children who didn't want to race) who were busy all morning helping with equipment, tracking the finishers and giving out stickers.

He loves being active but hates any aspect of performing. Some of the parents shout and cheer and get really into it. Some kids would hate that (mine included).

I'm with a previous poster, I will be relieved when Christmas plays and sports days are a thing of the past when ds is at secondary!

Are you quite sporty @Notbeinfunnehbut ?

Is your son normally sporty?

How old is your DC?

I think if we enjoy things ourselves it can be quite a disappointment & a shock to find out our DC don't. For example, I love reading & one of my DC is completely disinterested in it, which I found hard to fathom.

As a teacher, I hate that you are grumbling about this. Our school has just moved from 'enforced participation' to 'voluntary participation.'

In fact, my class chose their events yesterday. I worked hard to encourage everyone to do at least one event but when children are very reluctant, crying, looking like they might flake out on the day, it's very difficult. Inevitably, the keen - not necessarily the most sporty - children end up doing more.

I really think the school will have thought they were doing the right thing here.

If we want to foster a love of being active then forcing them to do races they know they will probably come last in isn’t the way to do it.

sports day is great for for many pupils but we can’t ignore the fact it’s also a day many pupils dread. By taking a more relaxed approach the children who love competing can and the others can enjoy the day in a different way.

My son enjoys certain things but not others, im not sporty but I did dread sports day either

i think my big issue is that people don’t take time off work to watch other ppls children repeatedly participate and yours not.

surely that’s understandable?

This is exactly how it should be.
I wish it had been like this for me as a child.

Anything like that you end up watching other children more. That’s just how it is. At Christmas plays most parents will watch the whole thing for their child’s 5 words of fame!

If that’s the case the parents really must be told their kids aren’t doing anything, or to come later
you can’t guarantee primary aged a school children will remember

I don’t want any child crying obviously

but when extendeded family is taking time off work, and having to watch other peoples kids run about and not your own its disappointing

Our school sends out a google form so you know what your child is doing (you help them choose ad submit). Minimum one event, maximum three plus house relay teams are selected by PE staff. Track not mandatory so if unsporty you can do the field events where it's not obvious who has won and lost other than the podium. Seems a good compromise, but no, I wouldn't be taking a day off to watch if they were literally like "one event, what's easiest?" My effort and commitment matches theirs.

@Notbeinfunnehbut I understand that it's not as interesting when your DC are not centre stage (see my earlier post about my DC never wanting speaking roles) but parents have all been there from time to time when your child is at the back of the hall / the understudy/ not competing / not playing an instrument. We go to support them & that helps give them confidence that we are proud of them. Otherwise, explain nicely that you can't make it due to work commitments (most DC won't have 3 adults who have taken time off work there to watch!) Also encourage him to have a go at another race this time next year. Ask him now which races he liked the look of and you can remind him next year that he fancied trying hurdles, the relay race with X & X or whatever.

Am assuming your son is quite small still & this is their first sportsday?

I think the school's approach to this is great.

They'll know because children do PE at school of course.

Public humiliation can harm children, of course it can.

That’s odd. I work in primary and we don’t do that. Chn don’t get to opt out of lessons or school events.Everyone is included unless there are very good reasons.

So if a child doesn’t want a speaking part in the Christmas play you make them? Or if don’t want to be onstage at all?

if a child refuses to go on a school trip you drag them there anyway?

what is to be gained by forcing participation? Encourage it of course but don’t force it.

Sounds a great idea allowing children to participate only if they wish to.
I’ve never understood the forcing of kids to participate in public if they are not good at something.
People would be rightly outraged if all children (whatever their ability) were forced (in front of their peers and parents) to take part in a spelling or maths test with all their mistakes put clearly on public display.

I’m talking about sports day. You can take part in a play without speaking but you still have to take part. All chn go on school trips and allowances are made for their needs.Parents can not send them in but chn aren’t given an opt out clause.
We encourage chn to participate not force. If there are issues we work with them .

No nearly 10, that’s why I was surprised completely different to every other one I’ve been too

Sounds great to me , I feel guilty almost that my DH and mum came to see nothing

If a child doesn’t want to take part in the play why force them? Why not find an alternative role off stage.

forced participation isn’t going to change anyones minds on what they are being forced into!

@Notbeinfunnehbut Ok that makes more sense why you are annoyed - has he changed school? If it's the same school they should have communicated the format was changing from previous years.

Did he say why he hadn't signed up for other races? Maybe its a confidence issue?