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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

Can a school not let a child in because of a broken bone?

34 replies

Gracebeau89 · 10/11/2021 10:32

What the title says really my 5 year old has broken the top part of her arm, close to her shoulder. School have known about this for 1.5 weeks, they also knew she is in a sling she needs to stay in at playtime. As they need to protect her from falling etc. They agreed she would come in today with a letter from her consultant saying she can go to school basically. She was discharged from the fracture clinic as her bone has started to heal and there's no displacement, her doctor then had his Secretary type a quick letter. Which said she can go to school as long as you protect it from getting knocked etc. The break approximately takes 3/6 months to heal doctor is happy she can take sling off on Monday, we are now two weeks into recovery. I dropped her off at school within half an hour my phones rings telling me to pick her up as school can't guarantee this, they say she has to play out etc that's how her class works and they can't provide her with extra help and there's 60 other children in her reception bubble they can't watch her that much also what do I want her to do table top activities? Then they say she can come in Monday when she doesn't need sling anymore, my point is it is still healing on Monday she still needs help can't play out needs protecting from trips and falls etc sling makes no difference. Also school knew before the letter from the doctor,I told the same staff member who has been dealing with this twice that she has a sling she cannot fall play out be bumping into other kids, so they could of spoke of this sooner and let me know before today, Also is this discrimination? I thought you had to try your best to provide care for all (inclusion reasons. )sorry for waffling on I've had a night shift very tired

OP posts:

SleepingStandingUp · 10/11/2021 10:34

When did she turn 5 op?

Presumably school can't provide her with a 121 which is the only option to keep her safe I na free-, flow play based setting.

IneedYourHelp1 · 10/11/2021 10:37

It sounds like they haven’t enough staff to give her a 1 to 1, so I mean really what else can they do?

Sirzy · 10/11/2021 10:38

School need to do a full risk assessment to look at all the risks involved and then work with you to make a plan moving forward.

In reception the not being able to play outside will create an issue because the idea is it’s free flowing but they need to work with you to find a way around it. But the truth is no school can guarantee a 5 year old won’t fall or get knocked because it’s not realistic. Nor can they have a member of staff to shadow her.

PyjamaFan · 10/11/2021 10:40

It's impossible for the school to guarantee no knocks at all. Especially for reception aged children.

PlanDeRaccordement · 10/11/2021 10:45

If they can’t keep her safe, then they should refuse for her own safety.
I’d talk to the school about the teachers sending home packets of work for her to do so she doesn’t fall behind too much.
But, yeah, if they can’t keep her safe, you have to keep her home until it is healed enough for regular school day.

AnkleDeep · 10/11/2021 10:48

It looks like there is no one to supervise her if she has to stay in. She can't stay in unsupervised and staff need their breaks.

treguffin · 10/11/2021 10:51

Sorry OP, at that age I'd probably keep her at home until Jan when she can return safely.

Meandmini3 · 10/11/2021 10:54

You can usually access some support from the local authority. Ask the school for their policy on children with medical needs. They have to have one by law

Original poster

Gracebeau89 · 10/11/2021 13:47

Thanks for replies, I think I'm more annoyed at them that they knew last week she was in a sling etc knew she couldn't knock it so they could have suggested this then (not to come in) and instead they have let me bring her in today. I spoke to their pastoral worker on the phone and again at parents evening, she is the adult In charge or risk assessment etc she knew a letter from a doctor wasn't going to change the sling or protect her arm no knocks situation

OP posts:

IHateCoronavirus · 10/11/2021 14:17

My DD was home for 8 weeks with a similar break at a similar age. It is the free flow of early years. She was allowed in for the final 4 weeks, and needed physio after.

SleepingStandingUp · 10/11/2021 14:38

I suspect they thought the letter would be more relaxed and you were just being over cautious. But you're right in that they should have waited for the letter, then done the risk assessment and then decided, not said yeah yeah it's fine, oh shit no its not

Original poster

Gracebeau89 · 10/11/2021 15:08

Sleepingstandingup yes that's my point! Like they haven't listened to me

OP posts:

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 10/11/2021 17:54

My granddaughter wasn’t allowed in school with a broken leg, unless a parent or carer was with her. They managed by taking turns for a while, but there were days when she couldn’t go because no one was available.

It was about six weeks until she was walking again. Toileting was an issue.

FrenchToasty · 10/11/2021 20:39

Schools don't have spare staff just sitting around, unfortunately.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 10/11/2021 20:44

My son went in with A broken collar, he went back the day after it happened and he stayed inside for break and lunch times.

ThePoisonousMushroom · 10/11/2021 20:46

@treguffin

Sorry OP, at that age I'd probably keep her at home until Jan when she can return safely.

How many people can just tell work they’re not going to be back until Jan?!

Original poster

Gracebeau89 · 10/11/2021 22:46

Thepoisonousmushroom yes exactly, also I use to work in schools for 12 years HLTA.My previous school have always provided care for situations like this, just moved staff around at break times.

OP posts:

lollipopsandrainbows · 10/11/2021 22:58

My daughter had a bone graft from her hip followed by reconstruction of the collar bone (as she was born without one), and although she was up and about pretty quickly, it was crucial she didn't get knocked. Had very lengthy conversations with school, and they couldn't guarantee this and advised she stayed at home. She was home for 10 weeks, age 8 at the time. She's now 13 and on par with her peers. The time off didn't impact her learning. So in your case as much as it's a pain, you may have to keep her off. Good thing is now due to Covid, schools are much more prepared for long term absence so they should be able to provide her with some online structured learning.

soapboxqueen · 10/11/2021 23:14

I don't think it's necessarily the case that the school weren't listening to you OP. More that most parents, if their child is hurt, would ask that they didn't 'get knocked' because it would create or increase pain.

A doctor saying she shouldn't get knocked as it could hinder the healing process is a different kettle of fish.

MaidEdithofAragon · 10/11/2021 23:19

The school need to do a full risk assessment and tell their insurer or local authority. The doctor's letter has made them extra cautious as they can't guarantee 1-1 supervision and no knocks at all. I understand their caution tbh. They're leaving themselves open to a big issue if she gets hurt.

HolidayTime2021 · 10/11/2021 23:21

Staffing in primary schools is at crisis point

11 years of austerity
Staff off with CV19
No supply staff in the system
No-one wants to be TA-it is minimum wage job on 25 hours a weekend you are only paid for 44 weeks a year. You earn more on the tills at Sainsburys.

Xxqqzz · 11/11/2021 00:05

Perhaps they didn't expect the doctor's letter to say that. There might be different severity levels. They can't give her one on one attention and can't guarantee that she won't get knocked over. So they are doing the only sensible thing for your child to recover properly within the expected time frame.
Would you be fine if she got often knocked over in school? Unfortunately, keeping her home is the only way for her to recover properly right now.

CaptainCaveMum · 11/11/2021 00:21

Sorry op but they can’t provide 121 support without extra funding. For perspective, my DC had a fractured arm and had to stay home for 2 months because school couldn’t guarantee their safety. They were 15 years old, studying for GCSEs. Still couldn’t be accommodated.
Health comes first.

lanthanum · 11/11/2021 20:10

@HolidayTime2021

Staffing in primary schools is at crisis point

I don't think it's supply of staff that's the problem - just the money to pay them.

In many areas there are plenty of supply teachers, and plenty of mums who are only too delighted to have a minimum wage job which they can do for 25 hours a week with no childcare needed.

Bunnycat101 · 12/11/2021 18:28

I’m quite shocked by this. My daughter broke her leg and nursery had her back in a few days later while she was in a cast. They produced a risk assessment and there was never any question she’d be excluded even as a small toddler.

My daughter’s friend broke her arm in reception and was in the next day. Is your daughter’s break particularly bad?

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