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?

It's pretty important to me cod, trust me.

Message withdrawn

Ds' school also puts their back packs in to a big wire mesh container in their class room - I think they also take out their lunch/snack boxes before putting their bags in, but I'm not sure. That also means the teacher can check that they have got thier homework in their bags.

At the moment ds is only in for mornings, so his lunch box (which fits easily into the back pack) only holds a wee snack - some raisins and a wee carton of juice. After the September Weekend, when the start full time, we'll review that and probably some days he'll have the school lunch and other days he'll have the packed lunch.

Must remember that tomorrow I need to put Gym gear in for the first time!

Coddy the thing is that DS will not do anything against what the head teacher has said iyswim

SO if the head teacher says they are not allowed he doesn't want to go against her rules

Message withdrawn

Wear hats and cardigans, Party invitations and other letters are hardly going to take up room in a bookbag and our PE stuff is left at school unless you wish to take it home. Waterbottles can go in a sneaky back pack style lunch bag.

Either that or issue standard school backpacks of a sensible size to all. Trying to expect packed lunch children doesn't help those who have to carry in all the other stuff you listed. Personally I can't see the problem with a bookbag at infant level.

Message withdrawn

can't find the thread coddy

Yes he deffo wants to obey the rules

So does my ds (want to obey rules) RTkanga.

And they are wider than a lot of backpacks. Fill them with all the necessary crap for school and you have - a very big bag taking up a lot of room on a peg. Duh!! God, this kind of nonsense from schools makes me mad

stooooooooopid idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

id love to see ds's school try that, considering they sent us a letter home last term telling us we MUST NOT put any items in their bookbags other than books! A lot of children take a portion of fruit to school for snack time and they say that the bookbags are too expensive to replace every term after banana has been squashed in them.

maybe the should ban bananas lol

At my boys' school they actively discourage backpacks in KS1: the school is fab, but isn't very spacious. The cloakrooms are quite small, and they feel packed when each peg has a PE kit and a wet coat on it.

The book bags (nice spacious ones with shoulder straps and several pockets) are provided free, and they fit in the children's trays. And children can get their reading books out quickly, as they're not searching through endless pockets.

In KS2 backpacks are allowed, but their size is effectively limited, because the children are provided with lockers in which to keep them and their coats. This has made the cloakrooms much tidier, and ensured children don't bring huge bags.

Here's the completed letter which I will be taking in tomorrow. Gulp!

Dear Mrs X,

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 have revolutionised the school run for our family and I?d be loath to give them up.

I struggled with the book bag system and have found it to be totally unworkable. It discriminates against parents with more than one child, and those who walk to school. Each child has to carry a book bag in one hand, a lunch bag in the other, a water bottle somewhere else as well as extras (PE kits, letters, money, hats and cardigans) to and from school. This is not only difficult and clearly uncomfortable, but also leaves no hand free for holding while crossing roads. I?ve watched my kids struggle and juggle. Barely a school run went by without someone dropping something at least once which only served to make them feel self-conscious and incompetent.

I feel strongly that children, like the rest of us, should be allowed the comfort and independence afforded by the use of sensible bags which are fit for the purpose. It?s good practice, better for posture and sets up good physiological habits as detailed in studies from The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the British Chiropractic Association.

Whilst I?ve seen how cramped the peg spaces are and can appreciate the reasons for the ban, I?ve also noted the importance the School quite rightfully places on pupils? sense of independence encouraging parents to stay outside the doors so the children can be responsible for themselves and their belongings. My children?s ability to do this has been greatly enhanced by the provision of appropriate bags. Whereas lost property boxes used to be brimming with our stuff, the children now keep everything together and bring it home. I?ve been going to great lengths to praise them for their efforts.

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 or the shelves above the pegs better utilised? Perhaps pupils who bring packed lunches could be exempt from the ban. Could a restriction be placed on the size of the backpack? Perhaps the school could provide backpacks of a sensible size for parents to purchase.

Yours sincerely,

Spidermama.

I am a bit suprised by the tone of your letter spidermama, especially as a first contact with the school about this matter. Why not just call in to school and ask to have a chat with the Head, and point out your situation and the fact that you have a long walk to school.

If I felt this way about an issue, I know my boys' Head would be devastated if I wrote a letter like that, rather than calling in or phoning to speak to her about it.

DD's school insist on huge backpacks with the schools crest on etc. Plus a big drawstring PE bag plus a bookbag. PLus a huge swimming kit bag. Monday is like an expedition to Everest!

Not sure whats worse

going off at a slight tangent...reading this made me realise the only drink I had at school was a glass of water (which I probably didn't drink) at lunch-time.

AND I'm one of those adults that goes to work with my hands full, however, I now have a super padded backpack for my superdooper laptop . I also carry my lunchbox in my hand, along with my handbag & all the rubbish I seem to return to the shops, week in week out..

Ref your problem, perhaps you could ask the head how your children should bring all their goodies to school & as backpacks are banned, how do other mums cope ? (hoping to pick up some tips !)