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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?

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 22:18

No I know you weren't implying, I was just saying , lol.

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edam · 19/07/2004 22:27

Oh Lou, how dreadful. Not surprised you are angry. Completely irresponsible behaviour on the school's part; forcing children to stay outside without proper clothing or sunscreen during the hottest part of the day with the worst risk of sunburn.
Do send the letter ? and if you don't get a satisfactory response then take it up with the chair of governors. I'm sure sports day can be difficult to organise but the school has parental responsibility for the children during school hours; it's their job to ensure the well-being of children in their care.
As an aside, when they are older, do warn them against using sunbeds. White blondes with pale skin (called type 1 skin) are really not supposed to use sunbeds at all as the risk of severe burning and skin damage is very high. But sunbed salon owners do break the rules and let these customers in. Something else to look forward too...

fairyprincess · 19/07/2004 22:32

The school was responsible for the welfare of your child & it failed in this role. You are rightly concerned about your dd - take her to the gp or to the hospital to get the damage assessed - as the school has injured your child. Get it written down & give a copy to the school - you could even threaten legal action. Schools pay little attention to the risks of sunburn. If there is ice at the school the school is obliged to put down grit/salt so that no one slips - yet they do nothing for sunburn. Take the letter into the school and say that you are staying until you speak to the head teacher. If your dd is well enough take her with you - after the medical appointment. Don't be fobbed off. Give a copy of your letter & medical report to the Parents association & governers. Good luck in this -

ks · 19/07/2004 22:36

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Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 22:43

Exactly Ks. Thanks edam and Fp for your pov as well.

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MeanBean · 19/07/2004 22:47

Lou, good on you. Twiglett's letter is excellent, unemotional but serious about the risks. I agree with Fairyprincess, schools are extraordinarily lax about sunburn, and given the huge health risks, it's very surprising. More parents complaining and/ or showing concern, will make schools more aware of the need to take the issue seriously. And suncream is not a panacea - nobody should be out in burning midday sun, with or without the factor 40.

edam · 19/07/2004 22:50

Hope dd1 is feeling better tomorrow, Lou.

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 23:05

Thanks

OP posts:
Thomcat · 19/07/2004 23:11

Sorry to hear about your sore princess, hope she feels okay tomorrow. Oh and hope the wheelchair arrives for DS this week too. TC x

Original poster
lou33 · 19/07/2004 23:16

At two thirty hopefully.

OP posts:
emsiewill · 19/07/2004 23:34

lou, as a ginger and mother of ginger/fair children, I completely agree with you - I'm sure that your daughter would probably have liked to have had the chance to put some suncream on - but it was never offered (imo it seems that it is irrelevant whether she actually had sun cream with her or not). I bet, as she is Y7, she was probably too embarrassed to make a fuss about it, as well - not cool, didn't want to draw attention to herself. I could cry for her. I cringe at the idea of all these children out in the burning sun all day - it's just wrong.

Yes, schools / parents never bothered much about protection from the sun in our day, so yes, I am at more risk of skin cancer due to being burned regularly as a child and teenager - but we are all aware of the risks now and so EVERYONE should take responsibility for this.

Close to my heart, as you can see. You have every right to let them know of the consequence of their inaction, and you are giving them a way of avoiding this in the future, not just moaning, so go for it.

Hope dd feels better in the morning - I feel for her, I really remember that pain.

JJ · 20/07/2004 03:04

Just to add some late support -- Twiglett's letter is great and I'd send it in tomorrow. My sister got severe sunburn once and it was terrible and scary. For our school's sports day (3 year olds to Grade 7), we were informed in writing to bring water, sunhats and suncream and I am positive that the teachers made sure the kids were covered in it.

I'm so angry for you! Poor little thing. I hope she feels better soon.

SoupDragon · 20/07/2004 07:33

How's your DD this morning,Lou?

luckymum · 20/07/2004 08:31

Lou - jut caught up with this, I'm not surprised that you're angry. Hope she is feeling a bit better this morning but know from experience that it can be pretty sore for a few days. Twiglett's letter is great, hope you've sent it.

hercules · 20/07/2004 09:16

I'm also a teacher in a secondary and it is the schools responsibility to warn the pupils before so they can bring water, hats and suncream. As I said earlier not all do though. With my own tutor group I got those who did bring in sun lotion to share with those who didnt but would still wear it.
I was the only one who would wear a hat and did so to set a good example as well as because it was hot. (not this year as it rained).

When planning sports day, the welfare of the children is paramount. Our school does sports day only in the afternoon as it is so hard to supervise lots of children in that situation all day. Many events are done in pe lessons beforehand.

I would be furious and make sure they are going to change their policies for the future. Sadly this wont help your dd now.

Nice kids dont want to make a fuss even if they're burning and know they should be putting sun cream on.
YOu work so hard to protect her and then this happens.

Original poster
lou33 · 20/07/2004 11:40

Thanks everyone for your messages of support.

She had a restless night, got up a few times feeling sore and crying. I kept her off today but I intend to send her in tomorrow. It looks less red, although she is obviously burned, and it is still sore/hot to touch . Letter is definitely going in!

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codswallop · 20/07/2004 11:44

we were told to apply sun screen int h letter all about sports day and they were only out for an hour.

Nickinha · 20/07/2004 12:03

Hi Lou, here´s a little sum which is always helpful in making decisions.... A+R=O...............Action + Reaction = Outcome... The action (your dd getting sunburn) cannot be changed, your Reaction can be nice or nasty - that will affect the Outcome. Do you want a pleasant one or unpleasant? YOU will determine that. Do you want to get into lager heads with her school? Why not just tell her class teacher to please warn you in future because you would really rather give her protection, I am sure they will oblige.

I would be angry too though, but like Twiggy says, calm down before giving a reaction. Hope that helps you...

Original poster
lou33 · 20/07/2004 13:21

Lager heads?

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ks · 20/07/2004 13:24

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codswallop · 20/07/2004 13:25

logger heads! :0

like losing my brian!

codswallop · 20/07/2004 13:25

why ks?

ks · 20/07/2004 13:26

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Original poster
lou33 · 20/07/2004 13:27

I don't think I am being excessively ott btw. You haven't seen the state of her. And I am using Twig's letter, although mine was probably stronger it wasn't rude imo. I'm sure they get much worse from some of the the other 965 parents, for less valid reasons.

OP posts:
Nickinha · 20/07/2004 13:27

hmm - sorry to be a bit ignorant (new here only joined yesterday) but what is Dadslib?

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