How to change school policy

[Pookielumchum]

There's a school policy i believe needs changing. I reached out to other parents on a private parent Facebook group, and it turned out several parents agreed with me. I went to the headteacher and said, I and these other parents want change. Can we address the policy." She said that no one had minded before. So it wasn't a problem before I brought it up. And it wouldn't be appropriate for me to bring the other parents in with me. And she wouldn't accept a poll showing all the parents who want a change. How is one supposed to fix things, if not by working together as a group of parents?

re sending in in PE kit:
Because making sure that children can dress and undress themselves is part of Early Years curriculum.
Because 4/5 year olds are sometimes not very articulate and seeing naked torsoes / shoulders can act as an opportunity to spot physical abuse.

I dont know where the OP is from, but in America the term Handicap is used. Handicap Bathroom, Handicap Parking, etc. So there are places that the term "handicap" is acceptable.

This is the second thread I’ve seen today when the OP is being a part because “I’m my culture”. I am all up for learning and embracing new cultures but this doesn’t mean that those who choose to live in this country are excluded from ignoring or insulting the culture that already exists here.

I was assuming from all her contributions, that she's American. Although 'handicap' is falling out of favour there, too, thankfully.

This is silly. I'm also from a 'different culture', in Europe. Reception children are 4-5 years old. At this age children in my country go to the beach without a top regardless of their sex, nobody cares or stares.

"All the parents"... but just 2 have contacted the school directly.

Your last paragraph is absolute rubbish.

You miss the point that the vast majority of parents actively avoid 'modesty clothing' for girls.
So staff would still be able to see a child's legs, arms etc

Maybe educate yourself on how damaging it is to insist young girls where modesty clothing?
Why should girls wear shorts under their dresses/skirts?!

I suggest you focus on educating yourself on how inappropriate the term 'handicap' is!

And please don't use a disabled toilet unless you're entitled. Very selfish behaviour.

Does your DH also have a bad knee?

As you can see many don't share your view on here. Changing school policy on the back of a few parents getting together to make a fuss is not likely to happen.

There are also wider implications. Maybe this year there is enough space and staff. What about next year? Maybe the space will be needed for interventions or a child who needs a safe space. Maybe they won't have enough TAs? The school sets policy not you.

I was a school governor for nearly 10 years and Chair of governors for 7 of those years. If any parent complains to a head teacher and is dissatisfied with the answer, the way forward is to go on the school website, where there will be a copy of the complaints procedure. Follow that procedure. tbh I doubt that the OP will get anywhere with this particular complaint but at least she will have a written reply. IMO there is nothing worse than parents who lobby other parents to support them, the complaint is either justified or not and lobbying parents to get support does not make any difference to the actual complaint, it just leads to unpleasantness

Op if you and other parents are concerned about modesty please make your DD wear trousers. There is lots of sitting on the carpet , skirts getting tucked into pants , handstands, cartwheels, climbing and just general reception activities that your DD might exposes her pants /legs / body .
At that age no other children take any notice but you might wish to think about it.

I've had several children go through primary school. In older years they do separate in the children. Its not needed in reception, they are to young to notice (your ideas come from yourself not your child) many children need help and theres not enough staff to accommodate separating them. Like I said I've had several kids in reception and this has never been an issue. If you make this an issue you will become THAT parent and it will follow you untill year 6.

Exactly this.

Perhaps those children in extra clothes are put in them for speed of changing rather than modesty?

Completely this.
Nothing worse than mob mentality.

You’re concerned about 4 year olds getting changed in front of each other but call people Handicap?????????

Incorrect. Parent governors are not parent reps, or the voice of parents. They are governors elected from a pool of parents. Operational decisions such as this are made by the senior leadership team.

This 👆🏻

OP I requested for my child to change seperately and the school was accommodating. Responses on this thread have been unnecessarily aggressive.