Can kids do gymnastics on the field at playtime?

[Trallers]

At my school the kids have been told by some members of staff that they are allowed to do gymnastics moves but only ones they "know how to do" and not ones they are learning. It's outrageously unsafe isn't it? The head doesn't 'allow' it but some staff members seem to, despite me raising it repeatedly. I tell the kids not to but they don't understand why something they are good at is dangerous, especially when the teacher on duty yesterday said it was fine. Plus they aren't always in ears reach so I have to watch them do 6 back flips in a row, or an aerial cartwheel, as I race across the grass. It's actually making me want to quit as we roll into summer and it's every bloody day. Throw in all the other poor behaviour and I'm tearing my hair out! I have a feeling this isn't happening at other schools as none I've spoken to allow it - would be interested to hear wider responses though.

I’m sorry but why are you a teacher when you’re so risk averse? It’s down to the parents and I’m sure they’ll be aware of what their children are doing. Just calm down.

Like football?

If there are kids genuinely doing complex tumbling passes and aerials in a field, as opposed to on a sprung floor, then yes, this seems dangerous. Is it just one or two children, OP? It seems unlikely that there would be a large cohort of kids of primary school age with this level of proficiency.

I perhaps wasn't clear - staff member on a different day said it was fine, but that staff member is not currently outside supervising. I think the staff are putting themselves at risk too if something happened and they'd allowed it, but that's between them and the head who doesn't seem to care that they make their own rules.

I'd imagine it's because football is (rightly or wrongly) encouraged pretty much everywhere (for boys and girls).

The rules are clearer and there will usually be someone around who can monitor how it's being played and how safely it's being played.

The issue with gymnastics is that the children aren't necessarily mindful of who is around them before they launch themselves into the air so some injuries happen that way. This is especially the case if they are effectively doing a 'routine'. And there likely to be fewer people (if anyone) around who are knowledgeable enough to recognise if a child is competent.

And, don't forget, we act in loco parents we are not the same as parents. What parents are happy to allow their children to do under their supervision is not the same as what we can allow them to do when under ours.

She's not suggesting that all gymnastics is banned just for clarity around whether aerial type moves are allowed. Because if she knowingly allows them to do something that the school doesn't technically permit then she will be held responsible for any injuries that do occur because the HT will just say, "Well, you shouldn't have allowed them to do that. You know we don't allow that."

And, tbh, if a parent posted on here after their child became injured doing a 'technically not permitted" gymnastics move at school (eg an aerial), the majority of posters would not be saying, "Blimey, OP, whats your problem? My childhood was spent doing cartwheels on the school field!"

Would they?

I don't think my 9 year old has passed a patch of grass without doing some kind of gymnastics on it in the last 5 years. It's a normal part of being a kid. You're being ridiculous.

Think people have made up their mind based on the wording of the title OP and aren’t really taking in what you’re describing. Yes it does sound dangerous, especially if they try and teach each other those moves.

In 20 years time no one will set up their own business. No one will visit anywhere they don't know. They won't get married, move out, have kids....Because they have never experienced taking a risk before.

Has anyone on here ever experienced a child being seriously hurt doing gymnastics on grass?

Wow...just wow...It's just so sad. We roamed all over the place when we were kids. The school took us for a walk every year to the mendips, we were 12 the first time, we walked on ahead of the teachers and finished about 45minutes before them..they trusted us to follow the path. This was a 6 hour walk btw...

I am so relieved and pleased to see the responses here. I wanted to say this but thought I'd be told off. Honestly, this is so good for these children in every way! Exuberance, confidence, testing things out, owning their space on the grass. I literally spent my childhood summers doing this.

A previous poster described kids at a competition being injured, which happens all the time. The presence of a coach doesn't stop this - if anything the kids might feel more pressured to push themselves to do risky things with a coach there. However will children learn to make their own individual assessments of risk if we don't let them try, and play.

I suppose all I would say is maybe give them a dedicated space, or take turns with the footballers.

No but others see their friends do it and under estimate the difficulty or don't see the danger because Sally does it. And they try but without any of the coaching or necessary supervision.

Lack of proficiency doesn't stop some of them from trying.

There are roughly 6-7 very proficient girls, and maybe another 15 who are less advanced but who enjoy doing their cartwheels etc with the gymnastics crowd and might be tempted to try something above their ability. These are all normally split into 2-3 groups and they aren't all the same year. Then there are other girls dotted around just doing regular handstands etc no problem at all.

A previous poster described kids at a competition being injured, which happens all the time. The presence of a coach doesn't stop this - if anything the kids might feel more pressured to push themselves to do risky things with a coach there. However will children learn to make their own individual assessments of risk if we don't let them try, and play.

That was me.

Tbh, as a parent, I was happy to let children my take risks. And,.of course, I understand all of the benefits of taking risks. And allowing children to assess their own capabilities and risk etc.

But 20 years as a teacher has also taught me that you don't allow anything that the HT hasn't approved and that, if something goes wrong, the parents will blame you personally.

So you’ve singled out a group of girls that you dislike, and despite multiple people saying it’s fine, you’ll continue to be upset by it.

Honestly just move on.

Ban football if you are worried about balls flying about’.

At my school we get mats out at lunchtime. Also tuff spots with Lego, cars etc.

Do they all go to the same gymnastics club? Can you ring the club and have a chat to the head coach about what’s going on? Then they could perhaps talk to all the kids about what’s is and isn’t safe to be doing on grass without a coach present?

My 6 yr old DD spends most of her breaks/lunchtimes doing gymnastics with her friends and some of the older girls. She's learnt loads from them and improved quickly with all the practice. I was the same at her age!

Then you just tell the girls on the days you are supervising that they need to limit it to cartwheels..etc. They’ll come back with ‘Miss X lets us do Y” (insert whiny voice here) and you come back with. “Well that’s between you and Miss X when I’m here you stick to cartwheels”

Then if something happens it’s on Miss X’s watch and not yours.

When I was at school someone broke their finger and ankle doing a cartwheel on the school field because they tripped on a rabbit hole. The field was riddled with rabbit holes.

What makes you think she dislikes them?

To be fair this does sound a bit much and definite potential for injury. I can understand why you're uncomfortable with this level of gymnastics.

She’s been told multiple times it’s normal and it’s happened for years. She still continues and suggests that they’re encouraging younger girls to do things they’re not ready for.

A group of girls I dislike 🤣

She works in a school. The only possible reason for her concern is that she's mean and hates childen!

Yes this is my current tack but the inconsistencies in approaches ends up using a lot of time having the same conversation every playtime so I really wish the head would be clear with all staff.

Despite a pp's insistence that I don't like these girls I actually think they're fab so will have the same conversation endlessly with them rather than get them sent in or in trouble. My issue is with the lack of clarity with rules really rather than the kids.