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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

If your school is open, do your dcs get playtime in snow, or is it wet play?

54 replies

alittleteapot · 21/01/2013 10:43

Just interested in the different policies of schools. I know there are health and safety issues but seems a shame if kids don't get out to play in snow.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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cb2ndtimer · 21/01/2013 10:47

Our school allows pupils out at lunchtime if they have a change of shoes (eg wellies) and warm clothes. They have a strict 'no throwing snowball' rule but lots of snowmen were built on Friday and kids had a great time

scaevola · 21/01/2013 10:49

They tend to keep KS1 in, but let KS2 out if it's snow. Everyone stays in if it's impacted ice.

OldBeanbagz · 21/01/2013 10:51

Playtime is outdoors for my DCs so i've sent them with wellies & waterproof gloves. There is a strict no snowball policy though.

redskyatnight · 21/01/2013 10:52

can play out if they have wellies or snow boots. Not otherwise.

Original poster

alittleteapot · 21/01/2013 11:01

my dd fell over in snow before school this morning so arrived with wet tights, so i can see why they want to avoid loads of wet clothes etc, but they could ask people to send in wellies and change of clothes or waterproof trousers and then the kids could have a great time.

OP posts:

Elibean · 21/01/2013 11:02

Play in snow for ours - boots and gloves are requested.

Apparently the highlight on Friday was a snowball fight with the head teacher on one side and Y6 teacher on the other - so yes to snowball fights, but adults are there, involved, and supervising. No upsets reported

BornToFolk · 21/01/2013 11:04

I got a text from school asking us to supply a change of clothes for DS as they were planning on playing outside. Unfortunately, I only got it on the way to school so it was too late! DS is well wrapped up though so he should be fine. I'm glad that they are being encouraged to make the most of the snow.

Original poster

alittleteapot · 21/01/2013 11:06

that's great. I feel really stupid now for not taking a change of clothes. I think schools should be encouraged to let kids play in the snow.

OP posts:

bryte · 21/01/2013 11:06

So long as they have wellies, hats and gloves, they are encouraged to play outside on the school field and are allowed to make snowmen and throw snowballs. But the school is closed today because the heating broke down.

happynewmind · 21/01/2013 11:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ByTheWay1 · 21/01/2013 11:08

Ours go out on the field - playground is icy and dangerous... field is split in 2 - one side snowballs and sliding is fine - but bigger older kids go to the back where the little ones are not allowed.... one side for quiet play and snowmen etc .. 2 classrooms are open with a DVD on for those who are inappropriately dressed or want to stay/get warm.

yellowsubmarine53 · 21/01/2013 11:08

Ours don't let the children out until the end of the day. I do feel sad that they won't have the fun of playing en masse in the playground, but I can see the H&S issues and the problem of lots of wet clothes. Quite a few of the children in my dc's school don't have warm clothes, wellies etc, and it wouldn't be fair to let only those who have them out.

Luckily school backs on to a park, so they get all the fun afterwards!

CMOTDibbler · 21/01/2013 11:08

Everyone is outside from kindergarten up, but its a home clothes day with a request for warm, waterproof clothes as thats where they'll be. And it was bring your own sledge .

iseenodust · 21/01/2013 11:10

They play on the field but no snowballing. Need wellies, gloves but no change of clothes requested.

dotty2 · 21/01/2013 11:10

Snowballs and snowmen here too, and an option of staying on the playground rather than the field if you want to be out of the way of snowballs. Very pleased they're encouraged to enjoy it.

MrsEricBana · 21/01/2013 11:15

Snowmen yes, snowballs & sliding no. Used to encourage children to bring in sledges etc till bad broken leg incident.

Original poster

alittleteapot · 21/01/2013 12:34

great so many are allowed to do it - be interesting to see later what dd's school has done today. last week wet play but then it was actually snowing. Think if they texted a reminder re wellies and spare clothes it would help.

OP posts:

CaroleService · 21/01/2013 14:26

Snowballing and snowmen compulsory! My ds reported a very satisfying 'hit' on the games teacher.

sausagesandwich34 · 21/01/2013 14:29

if they have wellies they go out

the school field is covered in snowmen, a snow caterpillar and several half built igloos

yoyo123 · 21/01/2013 14:31

Depends how icy it is. We had a snowman competition on the school field, but no-one on playground as it was underlying ice.

steppemum · 21/01/2013 14:35

mine went in with wellies and spare gloves, and they have a tracksuit in their pe bag so they have a change if fall over.
I wasn't sure whether they would be out or not, but at lunchtime I could see they were not only out but allowed on the field for snowmen building and snowball fights (not sure that was official policy) Not sure if all ages out etc.

I was really pleased, seems much more sensible to let them loose in the soft snow than all running round on the icy playground

middlesqueezed · 21/01/2013 14:42

On Friday they were sent out and had a snowball fight, but were told not to aim for people's heads. Not sure how that was policed but they all seemed to have had a great time with no injuries or tears. I think the older and younger ones may have been kept separate. Today might be different if there is more ice - the snow was very soft on Friday.

RaisinBoys · 21/01/2013 14:46

Out to play in the snow, thank goodness. No snowball rule but that was broken on Friday... They loved it!

RobinSparkles · 21/01/2013 14:55

Ours are allowed to play in the snow but no snowballs. It's a shame no snow balls but I can understand why.

On Friday a TA got told off for doing a snow angel! :o

wimpykid · 21/01/2013 16:15

Well our school must be the most miserable primary in the country. We have a huge field full of snow and none of the children have been allowed to play in it at all - not on Friday when it started and not today when it was still fresh and tempting. Also no snowball fights (on pain of being sent to headteacher) and the playground is locked so that nobody can stray into it at the end of the day for a sneak play in the snow. Bah humbug... By the end of today the sun was shining but the kids have been cooped up all day with no fresh air. This will continue until the head deems it is safe for them to go outside. 'Elf and Safety gone mad!

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