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Original poster

Stripping down to pants and vest at school - strange??

71 replies

tex111 · 01/07/2005 09:37

I visited a preschool for DS yesterday and really loved it aside from one comment that's been playing on my mind. The children have various extra classes in the week and on Thursdays they have dance for which they strip down to their pants and vests. That just seemed odd to me. I don't think it really means anything but I'm not very comfortable with it.

Is this strange or am I just being silly? I could changed DS's days so that he has music rather than dance (and keeps his clothes on) but DH thinks I'm overreacting. I would really appreciate hearing your opinions.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 23/09/2005 18:28

I am still traumatised by the memory of having to go through the boys' indoor PE session once a week, when I was 12, in my blue gym pants and aertex shirt. Absolute agony.

magnolia1 · 23/09/2005 19:00

My twins are in Yr 1 and its optional to wear PE kit. Mine have and wear a pe kit for all PE and Dance, Games lessons etc...

I don't find it acceptable for them to wear knickers and vest in school but its not because I am uncomfortable!!

It is just because when my eldest was in reception she used to wear knickers and vest and one day had had a slight accident causing skid marks on her knickers which the other children found highly amusing and so very traumatic for her

The thought of that happening again is just awful

hatstand · 23/09/2005 19:39

hadn't thought of that one Magnolia - a very valid reason. kids that age are both capable of having such accidents and of being mercilless in teasing

lccl · 26/09/2005 09:59

Oh my God! My first message! How dare I post on a contentious topic with my first post ?

Enid · 26/09/2005 10:01

contentious? Its bollocks though isnt it?

lccl · 26/09/2005 12:47

Yes, contentious.

Are you saying you do not believe my post? If so, could you tell me why you think I am a liar, rather than post offensive comments?

purpleturtle · 26/09/2005 12:56

what's the problem? didn't you get enough attention for your story?

lccl · 26/09/2005 12:57

Sorry, is that last post for me to respond to?

Chloe55 · 26/09/2005 13:40

I used to have to do pe/dance in a dirty airtex and knickers out of lost property if I forgot my gym kit which was disgusting!! It was an all girls school so not quite as embarrassing as could have been. We had a gym teacher who used to pull the shower curtain back on us to make sure we hadn't sneaked into the cubicle in our bra and knickers (which we used to do as too lazy to shower properly ) But was very embarrassing when we were fully naked

WigWamBam · 26/09/2005 13:51

lccl, most of the posters who felt that your post wasn't true gave their reasons for feeling that way when they posted. As I said in my post, I do not believe that in this day and age, year 6 girls, who are having periods and needing to wear bras, would be expected to do PE in just a pair of knickers. The parents would be up in arms about it if nothing else.

I didn't call you a liar, but I have great difficulty believing that it's the truth, and feel that you must be mistaken or have got the wrong end of the stick somewhere along the line. If it's true then it's abhorent and you should be complaining to the school and the LEA about it.

jac34 · 26/09/2005 14:18

My year 2 DS's do indoor PE in pants and vest.
I went to an all girl secondry school, we had to wear airtex tops and navy gym knickers for indoor PE until the 6th form, no skirts allowed unless you were on, which of course made you stick out like a sore thumb.
They only allowed tracksuite bottoms for outdoor PE a year or so before I left, until then it was tiny gym skirts whatever the weather.
I'm sure thats why I've got legs like tree trunks!!

lccl · 26/09/2005 14:21

Sorry WigWamBam, my rather prickly post was directed at Enid, who used rather offensive language. I should have made this clear.

Returning to the issue, as I posted this was the policy explained to me by the school secretary, follwing what I saw in the hall. I find it surprising, but certainly not a cause for complaint. I just thought I'd post my experiences, to add to the debate.

colditz · 26/09/2005 14:23

lccl, please phone the social services, the situation as you describe is abusive.

WigWamBam · 26/09/2005 16:51

Do you really not see this as a cause for complaint? Sorry, but I think the idea of girls in early puberty having to run around doing PE in just their knickers is appalling. In my opinion it's degrading and humiliating, and I'm afraid if it were my 10 year old daughter I would have complained vociferously to anyone who would listen.

How does that fit in with teaching a child that some areas of their body are private, and that they shouldn't show them to anyone? If the school has no respect for the children's bodies then how is the child expected to gain any?

Enid · 26/09/2005 16:52

lol you are mad

no schools make year 6 girls do pe with no tops on

are you 15? or a perv?

aloha · 26/09/2005 16:54

It wouldn't happen.

aloha · 26/09/2005 16:54

I suspect perve.

Enid · 26/09/2005 16:58

well whatever 'I see no cause for complaint' is odd to say the least

sorry i said bollocks. But it is, isn't it?

zippitippitoes · 26/09/2005 17:12

tosh begosh

bare feet indoors

nutcracker · 26/09/2005 17:15

There is no way on this earth that I would allow my dd to do p.e in knickers at that age.

At my dd's school they were p.e kit (t'shirt and shorts) but i would have no problem with knickers and vests up until junior school age.

lccl · 27/09/2005 16:14

I'll shut up, as I'm only causing offence and being branded a pervert. Sorry, one and all.

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