Someone complained about my child at sports day!

[SackRaceComplainer]

DC is 8, Y4. Has SN including dyspraxia.

For sports day every child has to take part. DC has some adjustments for sports day so they can fully take part.

Even with their adjustments they still come last in every race.

Someone has complained about the sack race and how my DC had an unfair advantage. DC started roughly half way along the track in their sack, had help to get in from staff (which the others didn’t) and then was picked up when they fell over while doing it whereas the others had to get themselves to their feet, DC had insisted they wanted to do this race – they were told they did not have to do it.

DC still came last and finished about 2 minutes after the other children they were racing. DC also fell through the finish ribbon thing onto the grass and had to be helped out.

And someones complained to the Governors about DC starting in a different place and that giving them an unfair advantage even though my child came last. Apparently starting half way along the track was an advantage.

Apparently it was taken straight to the governors, and I was informed as I was asked by the HT if she could share with the governors why DC started where they did because it’ll help the governors to decide if it’s an Reasonable Adjustment for DCs condition or whether in future all children start in the same place - I was just picking DC up for an appointment and was told this. HT says she doesn't agree it was an advantage.

My DC struggles enough as it is, just being upright is hard for them and now someone is complaining. DC was thrilled to even finish the sack race, they don’t care where they placed! The person who complained as a child in my DCs class – as it's been mentioned by name on the class whatsapp, and they’ve been together since Reception so said parent will have a fairly good idea of why DC started where they did.

Whats likely to happen now anyone know?

Glad to read of the Headteacher's view and hope the Governors think the same. The idiot who complained I think should have to undergo training in disability awareness. If the idiot is stupid enough to tell someone outside the HT and Governing Body and breach confidentiality, I'd certainly be letting their employer know about their views.

The other parent obviously has issues or feels that she didn’t get reasonable adjustments for her own child.

WOW! I hope whoever complained gets to see this thread, just vile.

What an arsehole that parent is.

I'm oldest DC class at primary there were two children who had SEN needs. One very recognisable.

On sports day he had help from his TA for every race and started a few steps ahead of the other children.

Literally every other child and parent cheered him on and encouraged him.
Some of the children slowed down to run with him so he wasn't left behind and even when he was the last in races everyone encouraged and supported him to actually finish.

It was lovely and his parents were over the moon.

The parent in your story is an absolute dick.

Well I feel deeply sorry for the kids of whoever this despicable human was. They must be a nightmare to have as a parent. In fact, I can’t believe someone has willingly procreated with them.

Complaining about an unfair advantage for a child in a sack race on sports day just blows my mind.

That person is an absolute nutcase. I sorry you're on the same planet as them. I was just thinking today to myself how many fruit loops there are on this planet.

FFS some people are utterly vile,
I admire your DC OP, their determination and spirit will see them through. You must be really proud of them.

What did this person actually say on the group chatand what wee rhe responses x

Nothing will happen at all the person that complained is a pathetic individual

There is always one parent who complains. If they only knew. They have no comprehension of the daily difficulties that SEN children have to overcome often just to come last.

A day with SEN difficulties would have them insisting on the head start. Arses to them, stupid woman.

I second this! Your DS sounds amazing.

Fight back on this. Download the school complaints procedure and point out to them that no complaint should go "straight to the governors" and that the Headteacher should have dealt with this, as it's an operational issue. The HT is always deals with complaints in the first stage. Governor involvement is a formal process that sometimes comes later.
I think if the chair of governors is involved at all it's more likely to be to reassure you that the school has dealt with the person concerned and you need have no further involvement. They shouldn't be involved at all really, but that might just about be OK>

I am wondering how you know a complaint was made to the governors because that is a breach of confidentiality if it's from the school. Complaints procedures are strictly confidential and there is no reason why they should tell you about this one.

It all sounds like a school behaving unbelievably strangely in handling an operational issue. I've worked in governance in many schools and I'm really surprised to hear that this has happened.

what a shitty attitude this person has, complaining about a child taking part in sports day. To the governors ffs. I hope their bad sportsmanship doesn’t rub off on their child/children.

Glad your child took part, long may his have a go approach continue. Be proud and try not to let this spoil that.

If I were a governor dealing with this, I think I would ask the person complaining whether she also had an issue with her child having to stand when children in wheelchairs are permitted to remain seated.

My son is dyspraxic. All this shit stopped when I moved him to a sen school. I just couldn't keep on apologising and explaing my sons disabilities.

I am 100% sure that enraged people at school.

Arseholes. Petty, stupid, fuckwitted arseholes.

Is this for real? Parents complaining about an 8yo with SN..what is this world coming to..I fucking despair🤦🏼‍♀️

At my school, the complainant would've been told to sod off (nicely). What an absolute disgrace that person is. Sadly it does not surprise me, so many parents clamouring for the adjustments our SEN children benefit from. Try to ignore. They won't tell you, but everyone at school will be disgusted by them.

Me too @Shivermetimbers0112. I would respond to this parent with absolute with pleasure.

What an absolutely awful human being.

The person who complained is an arse.

Your child sounds amazing, to be proud of themselves even though they came last. Very resilient and self aware. Wish we could all be like him...

It seems really mean of someone to complain, however due to your childs' SN being confidential, I am presuming the brain cell who complained did so without knowing this before hand.

Looks like the school put in place reasonable adjustments and your child climbed a mountain on the day, and the fact they came last really does not matter, whats matters is your child was given a chance to compete and they did, which is all that counts.

I think the OP should send that parent a clip of the Rob Burrow Marathon finish, see if that touches her cold grey heart.

If the child could be taken from her custody and fostered to actual humans.

The complaint itself was confidential. Op - how did you find out about it?

(Chairs of Govs know that they shouldn't be involved when a complaint is first made).

For the love of all that is holy...
A parent complained to the governors? What on earth is wrong with people!?