I'm angry. School has banned children from brining back packs.

[spidermama]

Oh dear. The first week back at school and already I'm going to have to start a campaign. Do you think I have a case?

We've had a note home from dd and ds's primary saying children can only bring book bags to school. Back packs and other bags are banned. These standard issue book bags, which fasten with velcro, are only designed to carry one or two small books.
My children walk to school every day with drinks bottles, books and lunchboxes. Most days there's something extra (PE kit, letters, money). I also encourage them to put things in their back packs (cardigans, hats) so they wonn't lose them.

Without a proper bag to put all their stuff in, the school run is very hard for them to manage and I find we're stopping to pick up stuff we've dropped every couple of steps. I can't be of much help with the carrying as I'm pushing a pushchair and holding hands.

Since I bought the backpacks last term my kids have been far more independent and lost far fewer of their possessions at school.

I also think it's good practice because it's healthier and better for posture to carry things in this way. Does anyone know of research which would back this up?

The school argues there's not enough room on the pegs for backpacks. I think this isn't good enough.

What do you think?

You can use the pegs to hang the coats and just leave the bags on the floor. Nobody will die, honest!

Except when they get scattered across the corridor for people to trip in

trip on

Agree with Soupy - could be a safety or fire hazard if they are n't hung up or block the space between tables.

I take your point soupy but what's wrong with a backpack that is no bigger than a book bag? Why can't the school just ban backpacks that are too big?

I still believe that' a matter of adding more pegs or separating the available ones.... I don't see why a mother who walks with several children to school could be asked to carry so many separate things just so other mums don't get annoyed at not finding enough space around their own privatre peg. Sorry.

our school had backpacks and bookbags with the logo on for sale - the headteacher said "those of you who walk to school might want a backpack" (which we bought, natch)

Message withdrawn

(re: room on pegs, they just need to "stagger" them at different heights to fit everything on there, imo)

If there's no space for more pegs or wider spaced pegs, there's no space!

And it's not a matter of not finding enough space around DS's own private peg, it's not having enough space to hang his book bag and coat because someone finds it necessary to bring a s*dding Tinkerbell backpack rather than the standard issue bookbag - which is all that's required given they have one book and a spelling book.

Problem is, people will think "oh, this is just a weeny bit bigger than what they say, no one will notice... we all do it with stuff.

DS {who is in year 6} today had in his bag when he came home from school,

A4 sized science book
A4 sized history book
folder for homework sheets
homework diary
letter from head teacher
ofsted report from the school inspection
water bottle {which the school encourage}
reading book

He also had his PE bag and his trainers bag.

IMHO this is toooooooooo much for a book bag.

The higher years are different and should be subject to different rules - their coats-on-pegs are bigger too . Certainly no one in infants needs a huge tinkerbell backpack. Packed lunch? Get a backpack style lunch bag.

Bah!

But the space hasn't been increased between the pegs and so we have been told DS is not allowed to bring backpack to school

That he should use a bookbag

I've written the letter. What do you think? Will it be effective, or just get her back up?

Dear Mrs XXXX,
I?m writing with regard to the school?s new policy banning back packs.
It?s no exaggeration to say that the backpacks I bought for the children last term have revolutionised the school run for our family and I?d be loath to give them up.
The old system was impractical if you have one child, and positively unworkable if you have four. It meant carrying book bags, drink bottles and lunch boxes to and from school every day as well as extras (PE kits, letters, money, hats and cardigans). This is hard work with little hands, especially as I like to hold hands with the children to cross the road.
Since buying the bags my children have enjoyed a new sense of independence and have been taking much better care of their belongings which are no longer being lost.

I feel strongly that children, like the rest of us, should be allowed the comfort and independence afforded by the use of appropriate bags which are fit for the purpose.
It makes good physiological sense as can be seen in studies from The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the British Chiropractic Association.

I do understand there?s limited space for bags on the pegs provided, and I have seen how cramped conditions are around those pegs. However I?ve also noted the importance XXXXXX School places on pupil?s sense of independence which, in my experience, is greatly enhanced by appropriate bags with which to manage their belongings.

I wonder if there?s another solution to the problem. Could the children hang bags on the backs of their chairs? Could more pegs be provided? Perhaps those brining packed lunches could be exempt from the ban.

Yours sincerely,
Spidermama.

I know what you're saying soupdragon about enormous bags, but if you'd seen the circus act that was our family school run before we bought our (little bitty) backpacks I think you may have sympathised. There's loads to carry. What about hats, cardigans, water bottles, party invitiations, notes from school, gym stuff etc. etc.

On the one hand the school bangs on about how pupils must be encouraged to be independent and parents shouldn't actually enter the building to help them with their stuff, on the other hand they're banning appropriate sized bags.

I don't know any adults who carry separate things to work every day so their hands are full. Why should we force out children too?

FWIW the classrooms at my children's school have an enormous box in each classroom where they put their backpacks, and shelves for the lunchboxes. That way the pegs stay clear and they can bring what they like. I agree the amount of stuff they have to carry when they get older can be pretty massive.

lloks good apart from missing the G

well put

Not read the whole thread, just thought I'd give a school perspective.

They have just introduced this policy where my mum works (where you from Spidermama? )... There just isn't the space for the size of the bags that most of the children were bringing in - the ones the size you can fit a Yr4 child into .

BUT - They hadn't considered children cycling in etc. After several comments this week, I think they may consider allowing bags, but with a size limit.

How would that work for you guys? Just so I can pass on comments and try and get em sorted (or for them to tell me to sod off cos my baby isn't at school yet )

I'm from Brighton flamesparrow but it seems to be a widespread directive.
As someone pointed out, it's very irritating to have implemented the ban at the begining of a new term when so many of us have just bought backpacks.

Message withdrawn

I've not read the whole thing so sorry if I'm repeating - but yes, carrying a back pack across your shoulders is much better for carrying a load than carrying a heavy bag with one hand.

The back pack spreads the load more evenly - although if it was very heavy, its not a good idea as you can struggle when getting it on & off.
Carrying a heavy bag with one hand puts uneven strain on that arm / shoulder & increases stresses to the lower back.
(I'm a Qualified Manual Handling Trainer in case you were wondering !!)

party bags/snacks on birthdays have been banned at our school..

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn