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Original poster

Am I right to feel angry with dd's school?

96 replies

lou33 · 19/07/2004 19:51

Dd1 had her sports day today, she is year 7 of a secondary school. I knew she was going to be in two races, and would be outside for them. However what I didn't know, and have had no letters telling me, was that she was going to be outside for the whole day watching all the other events. It was quite hot and sunny here, and she has come home from school with a terrible red face, back of neck, and thighs, she really is quite badly burnt.

Now she says she is feeling unwell, and tbh doesn't look too good.

My gut reaction is to fire off a letter to the school, asking them why I was not informed she would be outside all day, as I could have provided a hat and suncream, because I am really cross. Should add that dd1 is white blonde and with v pale skin.

Would wise mumsnetters feel the same?

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hercules · 19/07/2004 19:53

Yes, complain. When we have sports day we encourage the children to wear hats and sun cream. Most choose not to though but the school has a duty to give them the opportunity.

charliecat · 19/07/2004 19:56

I would definetly write and complain. They should know better or have provided shade. No doubt the school end of year letter will comment on the lovely weather that was had for sports day, no mention of the amount of children off the next day with sunburn/sunstroke.

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 19:59

I really am cross, and dh is fuming. If I had let her go on a beach unprotected I would feel terrible. I do think they should have at least told us it was an all day outside event. It's not like she has had a sports day there before, so I wouldn't be aware of the procedure.

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Tessiebear · 19/07/2004 19:59

I would go BALISTIC at the school!!! Especially if, like me, you spend every waking moment making sure they are well protected with sunscreen

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 20:02

The thing is my four are all white blonde, and have v pale skin. I don't know whether to get angry or cry, or both, she looks awful

Thanks for all the comments so far.

I'm going to draft a letter now, and maybe see what you all think.

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coppertop · 19/07/2004 20:06

I would definitely complain. If the school knew that everyone would be outside all day in the middle of July they should have mentioned it beforehand. Didn't anyone even notice that she was getting so red??? As she has such light colouring I would have thought someone would have seen.

Twiglett · 19/07/2004 20:08

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sis · 19/07/2004 20:15

Definately write and tell them - otherwise it may happen again to some unsuspecting child next year!

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 20:18

Ok, this is what I have drafted. Any opinions v gratefully received.

I am writing to you with regard to xxxx, and sports day yesterday.

I was shocked and angered by the sight of xxxx when she came home from Sports Day yesterday, as she had been very badly burned by the sun. Her whole face , neck and thighs are extremely red., and she is in a lot of discomfort. I understood that she was going to be in two races , and would be outside for them, but was NOT aware that she would be outside for the whole of the school day, and have received no letters in the preceding weeks warning me of the fact, or asking for pupils to come into school with a hat and/or sunscreen. My daughter is extremely fair skinned and has v blonde hair, and if this was something I had known about I would have made sure she was adequately protected from the harmful rays. As a result of no communication from the school ( and don?t forget that having year 7 pupil, I have had no other experience of Sports Days) she has now been v badly burned and spent last night feeling ill, and very hot.

Can I ask why there have been no letters to year 7 parents, saying that the event is a whole day outdoors thing? Doesn?t the school think they have a duty to at least inform parents , so we can avoid situations such as ?s? It may seem obvious to the school that a sports day for the whole school would have all pupils out all day, but I would have thought, unless told otherwise, that the day would be split up into years, e.g year seven starts at 10, year eight at 11, etc, and that they would then return to their classrooms to continue their usual day.

I would be interested in your comments on this matter. I am really very upset by what seems to be the lack of regard for the welfare of the pupils.

I look forward to hearing from you asap.

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Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 20:39

Anyone? Should I add / take away anything?

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Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:14

Is the silence because the letter is good or bad?

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Twiglett · 19/07/2004 21:20

message withdrawn

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:24

Trouble is I can't sit on it as she breaks up on Weds, so I either have to send one in tomorrow, or forget about it completely

She look absolutely dreadful, like she has painted a lipstick mask on her face.

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lavender1 · 19/07/2004 21:26

Hi lou33..personally I don't think your letter is bad, but I do think it is a little harsh (you did ask for opinions) only say this because at 1 years old children should be well aware of the effects of the sun and at our school carry suntan cream all the time in June/July just in case...I can see why you're annoyed but it can't be their responsibility to make sure 11 year olds have proper sun protection...I hope you don't think I'm being harsh but 11 years old an age when my mother would have told me to be weary of the sun and keep telling me to put it on....hope you have some joy with the school whichever way you choose to discuss it with them lavxxx

Twiglett · 19/07/2004 21:26

message withdrawn

lavender1 · 19/07/2004 21:29

sorry I meant 11 years old and agree with Twiglett, I wouldn't send the letter but maybe have a quiet chat with a teacher on how they deal with sun tan cream for 11 year olds...(btw when I was at school we didn't take cream to school and my mother would have told us if we had to put it on if it got hot).

MadameButterfly · 19/07/2004 21:33

LOu my DD will be 2 in a couple of weeks, so I have no experience of this at all.

I would be absolutley furious and send the letter in with her tomorrow. Just think how you would feel if you didn't and the same happened to someone else next year.

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:33

Lavender I know what you are saying, and if she had a normal amount of time outside then she would have been ok , BUT the school didn't tell us she was going to be outside ALL day (from 10 til 3), with no shade, otherwise we would have sent her in with a bottle of cream and a hat. They had no shade, and according to dd, would let them in for a drink from the fountain, but then told them they had to go back outside straight afterwards and locked the doors! I'm not saying the school should be applying cream to them, but we should be told they would be out all day surely? Plus like I said they were refusing entry to the classes, so she wouldn't have been able to go to her locker and get her cream anyway

Twiglett I would usually do that, but seeing as she breaks up the day after tomorrow, and the head is retiring as well, I don't think I would be able to be seen. In a way I wish it had happened a week earlier so I could have a chance to discuss it properly iyswim.

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Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:33

Thanks mb

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Rowlers · 19/07/2004 21:34

I can understand your annoyance at the situation. However, being a teacher myself, I know that we do advise children to bring sun cream, wear hats and have a drink with them etc etc on sports day. As I am on maternity leave at the moment, I honestly can't remember whether my school formally writes to parents informing them of the situation beforehand. Without wanting to annoy you further, did your DD know she was going to be outside all day? I know from many years of experience that children don't always listen or take on board what's been said in school. Even if she was informed by the school, the problem is still that the message did not get to you as it should have done. Your point is therefore valid and I would suggest that it would be fair for you to contact the school. Teachers are very busy people so it may have been one of those things which just didn't get done at the end of a long school year. If you write, they will probably ensure parents are more formally informed in subsequent years. Don't take this the wrong way but I would perhaps leave it a couple of days and look again at your letter. It does sound a little aggressive which is completely understandable as you are so annoyed. You might get a better response if you tone it down. Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear!! Remember as well, that schools are about to finish so you may not get a response for a while.

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:34

I don't know if she will be well enough for school tomorrow tbh

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Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:36

Rowlers, no she was unaware that she was going to be out all day. I don't have a couple of days as she breaks up on weds. I agree it is a strong letter, but i feel strongly, and I haven't been rude just v forthright I think.

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twogorgeousboys · 19/07/2004 21:37

I think your letter is absolutely fine. Leave out the sentence that starts "It may seem obvious to the school etc etc" - you don't need to give the school a get out clause; they made a mistake and I am sure they will apologise.

You are rightly angry about what has happened. This is clear from your letter, but it is not an emotional tirade.

Delgirl · 19/07/2004 21:38

I have to agree with you Lou. I think it is very irresponsible. If it were me, I'd send the letter. If DD is unable to attend school tomorrow i'd be inclined to take it there myself tbh.

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 21:39

I may have to dg . She's crying now.

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