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?

I think this is wonderful and do you know.what he willnalways remember that he won that race. What a great set of children to have that attitude

I have been a school governor for over 30 yrs and most of it as a Chair at various schools. This complaint is operational and is for the HT to answer and own. They need to be telling the parent that where a child start in a race is their decision and they decided. Frankly, I am at a loss but if this "complaint" appeared before me I suspect I would give it short shrift. Schools have more important stuff to worry about on a day to day basis.

That was my point from the start.

So many grown assed adults in this scenario seem to lack any kind of back bone or sense.

The HT, the governors and even all the silent parents on the watsapp group.

What a lovely bunch of children his class are 😍 I would be so proud if my DC did this off their own bat. More so than if they won all the races themself.

I'm surprised it was mentioned at all schools I've been involved this would have answered this in seconds and if someone complained to the governors it would have a very barbed response.
Some people are complete 🤡 s

My DS has a disabled child in his nursery (attached to school) and they do sports day and the child was included in sports day with adjustments (understandably). Crikey, If anyone ever questioned it that is absolutely bat 💩.

The 3&4 year olds were all roaring for this child and singing all her praise.

Some adults are just dicks.

OP has scarpered for some reason

but I’m intrigued by The person who complained as a child in my DCs class – as it's been mentioned by name on the class whatsapp

What does that actually mean? They complained on the watsapp group to 60 odd parents?

Don't you think it's a bit unlikely that things have happened as Op says? I've been a governance professional/Clerk in probably 100 schools - none of them would have done what Op claims.

Words fail me! My son, now a mature adiult with a family, is dyspraxic and at school everything was a lot more challenging for him. Let me tell you don’t worry about this particular scenario and the ignorant piece of s**T that caused problems. Nothing will happen…..

my son did brilliantly at school, went to University, has worked constantly since graduating with at BSc and then a Masters, worked for one of the Big Four Accountancy firms and is solvent and lives in a desirable location with an understanding of dyspraxia and how to organise himself accordingly.

wishing you well x

Yes!! Share this in the class WhatsApp! Post a simple message like ‘being given help isn’t an advantage, it just takes away some of the disadvantage!

If there was a prize for ‘Idiot of the year’ it should go to this parent. What an absolute inconsiderate **head!

Don’t send a second thinking about this OP.

Disgusted on your behalf and your DC.
school are bastards too - for not nipping that parent(‘s comments) in the bud…really outraged by this.

Dear SackRaceComplainer, I am so sorry this appalling parent has behaved so atrociously. Unfortunately there are people like this in the world and the best way to deal with them is to not let them upset you. They are nasty and sadly you and your wonderful DC will gradually learn not to let them bother you.

I think your DC is amazing! Just be very proud of him/her and glad you have this exceptional child who is worth millions of those horrible complaining people. I was so moved by how your DC finished the sack race! That was the biggest triumph of the Sports Day in my humble opinion.

Just carry on loving him/her and ignore those - fortunately very few - misguided horrible people. As your DC grows encourage her/him to deal with these people by pitying them and brushing them off. It's important to give your DC lots of self-confidence and so make sure you have plenty yourself. Perhaps thank the School Staff for Sports Day and tell them how much it meant to your DC. Teachers don't get much positive feedback.

This may be a bit too harsh but the message is there. Bob Moran made a wonderful cartoon, I can't print it as there is a copyright.* It's called "Born like this" and depicts a man in a brown/khaki uniform with those riding-trousers, holding a banner saying effectively "get rid of disabled people" and a child in a wheelchair asking him "Were you born like this or did something terrible happen to you?'
*OH! When I put the weblink in, it automatically put the cartoon there!

It's on his website: https://www.bobmoran.co.uk/downloads-1/born-like-this-download

Finally, may I tell you about the School Sports day long ago when I was doing Teaching Practice? I have written about it before.
I was with the Reception Class in a rural school.
There was a little boy who wore callipers on both legs. Before Sports Day the Teacher asked the children who was going to win their Class race. Many hands shot up with cries of, "Me, me me". Then she asked who would come last. They pointed at Tommy (obviously not his real name). She asked who would work hardest to run the race. They were quiet then some put up their hands and gradually they realised it was Tommy. I was not with the same class every day and missed some of their Sports Practices.

Sports Day came and the Reception Class lined up for their race. They pelted to the tape, each one throwing up their arms and shouting, one after the other, "I won". "I won!" "I won!"

Meanwhile Tommy was still half way down the track swinging his callipered legs out and, red in the face, heading to the end. Eventually he arrived at the newly placed tape and threw his arms up. Then all his class mates, who were behind the tape, gave an enormous shout of joy and started cheering and clapping him!
It was a real tear-jerker.

So sorry OP, I am speechless.

Well done to your child for taking part!

I saw A video shared on Facebook a few years back of a year six class who.all.took it upon themselves to.run in a line together being their classmate who.had down syndrome so he could win, and the look..of joy on the child's face when he came " first" with all.his class mates cheering him was lovely
As the parent of a severely disabled child it wss heart warming.

I applaud the sentiment, but best not say cretin.

I rarely post on here, as my children are older now, but Jesus Christ, some people are the worst aren’t they. Try not to worry, as PP have said nothing will happen. Well done to your dc for wanting to take part and giving it their all. You must have been so proud of them.

Some people just have NO clue that their kid's classmates sometimes need a reasonable accommodation to be able to participate in a sports activity. The child wasn't given an "unfair advantage", regardless,and, even with assistance along the way still came in last place. It's about INCLUSION for kids with special needs. The parent who complained is just another entitled whiner.

What a pathetic horrible person, don't they realise the problems that your DC has, are they blind or just stupid, well done to your DC for finishing the race you should both be very proud.
They obviously don't care about the daily problems that you both encounter, awful person.

Absolutely disgusting behaviour of the parents who complained.
Complained to the governors over a child's sports day and on top of that a child who needed a little extra help got it.
If it was at our school it would melt my heart that they made sure all kids were included in sports day not bloody complain.
Have to say our school would do the same for anyone who needed a bit of help.
What hope has society got if these people are raising the next generation.
Unbelievable 😡