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?

What an absolute fucking weapon. I am gobsmacked. Every single person involved this will be thinking the same

Oh wow, what a person. Imagine complaining, to a school about a child who needs an extra leg up, getting that leg up and still coming last. I bet they are in a frothy rage as well. How absolutely embarrassing for them. I hope the governor’s laugh them out the door.

Well done to your child, how brilliant they get involved and the teachers are encouraging. Our sports day was today and there were 3-5 year olds setting a better example than this parent, they loved cheering their friends on regardless of ability. I was going to post some expletives but honestly lets think about your child’s achievements instead and let the governors deal with it in hopefully the way it deserves

Im sure all the other people in the WhatsApp group will be thinking this parent is a total dick.

There is nothing at all in the OP about any response from the staff. The governors have followed the standard requirements of complaints policies in investigating. They won't have been told anything about the adjustments previously, because it's just not necessary. The head has been asked to provide information and has asked OP if it's OK to pass that information on.

I still don't see why any of that means the staff, head and governors are at fault. I'm sure once they have the facts the governors will dismiss the complaint very quickly, but they can't dismiss it out of hand just because the head tells them to.

What a really shitty thing for them to do. What were they hoping to achieve? I’d have been cross even to be asked about this, and for the other parent and the governors to be getting involved and discussing it and passing judgement too, the HT should’ve shut that straight down, the adjustments they made have got fuck all all to do with anyone else. They can all fuck right off. Sounds like your DC enjoyed it anyway, that’s the main thing.

But why do you assume that the complaint was framed as a moan about adjustment for disability? It was almost certainly put to the governors as a moan about sports day not being run fairly because another child was getting an unfair advantage. They can't throw the one straight back without investigating. There is nothing indicating that they will find the OP's child can't have exactly the same adjustments and more in future.

You always get someone who is an arse hole!…. This goes above and beyond that!!
mid understand the complaint if your son had won by half the pitch length… but this other parent is just obnoxiously horrible!!!
Reasonable adjustments should be made for children with disabilities. Always!… it’s not about giving them an advantage, it’s about equalising their chances…. Some people will NEVER get that unless it happens to their child!
My child was diagnosed with a disability a couple of years ago, getting them everything they need to meet their potential is hard… I’ve lost friends because they think ‘people with disabilities take the piss’ …. It’s shocking that people actually think this way! My ex friend is a teacher too…. I’ve been informed she stops kids with toilet passes going to the toilet… because ‘she’ thinks they are using their disability as a reason to skip class to use the loo and should just wait like everyone else!!
people are wankers

Holy fuck
How horrendous for you and your child
that parent must be a miserable arsehole

Wow. The lack of empathy from that parent. And the kids slapping your DC on the back in a sporting way encouraging them is in stark contrast to the parent who can't see the reasonable adjustment levelled the field more and your DC still came last.

Some parents are utter shitbags.

Well done for finishing! Nothing else matters. Not everyone can think before they speak and all sounds very obvious. I'd be so embarrassed to be associated with someone like that.

I have to admit I wonder that we wouldn’t put all children in front of a crowd of parents to see how well they all spell, read or can do maths as it would be cruel but we would for how fast they can run…

This is pathetic and I'm sorry this has been put on you too.

It's not the Olympics, FFS! I'd have no qualms about telling this idiot where to go in my complaint response.

This parent’s attitude is the very antithesis of sport. What a vile thing to do.

That’s awful OP, what on earth has this world become with parents being so competitive with sports day?! So proud of your parenting though, your child clearly was more interested in taking part than winning!! I hope the parent who complained is very embarrassed of their actions. I doubt anything will happen. Your child is a credit to you.

Shocking! Your poor DC!

Buy why on earth are the governors getting involved? If a parent complains directly about something like this to the governors then they should be advised that it is an operational issue which is down to the school to manage.

I suppose they could raise a formal complaint which would go through stage one (HT responds) and then they could appeal to the governors under stage 2 who would convene a formal panel to hear the complaint. That takes weeks. They can't just complain to the governors, that's not how it works, and if the HT and board of govs are allowing it then they are way outside statutory procedures.

But what a shit of a parent! I despair, sometimes.......

It’s a pity no other parent on the whats app group pointed out what a twat this parent is. They probably thought it even if they didn’t say it.

Sports day brings the worst out in parents. I don't usually go but I did this year.
It was absolutely toxic some of the things I heard parents saying was awful.
I would agree the HT can share most likely outcome will be the governors agree that it was a reasonable adjustment and the overly precious parent that made the ridiculous complaint will have to suck it up.

I was ht of a primary school and now a cog. The complaint is ridiculous, I'd love to respond to it. I'd be amazed if anything came of it. Schools have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disability. If the governor's change anything for your son put in a complaint yourself. But they are usually reasonable people who should be sympathetic to you. How horrible that person must be.

10 years of sports days.

I can’t stand them but not because of appalling behaviour from parents, as I have never seen anything like I read on mumsnet. My experience has just been of parents milling around, some enjoying and others like me - willing time to pass.

I still think that the response should include the parent who complained being invited to disability awareness training. As I would not like their views passed on to their children.

What is wrong with people? And who even has the time to complain about a kids’ sports day? That parent is absolutely pathetic, not to mention discriminatory towards your child. They need to get a grip. I’m
angry on your behalf.

Oh my god what a fucking bitch. Some folk are so very weird and just a bit pathetic, I mean complaining like that over a kids sports day especially when they clearly know. Don’t get upset OP (easier said than done I know) - this fool is they one folk should feel sorry for as they clearly have a screw loose.

Imagine being such an arsehole that you complain to the school Governors about a young disabled child having reasonable adjustments made for them in the school sports day sack race.

I think we should pity that person.

My brother has severe coordination problems. I remember the pride we had in him when he finished the egg and spoon race. He was about 10mins behind everyone else but he did it. Everyone cheered apart from 2 mums who complained about the time ' wasted' waiting for him.
You will aways get those people who are so self centered they complain about everything. Ignore them and be proud of your child in finishing the race.