Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Why do pupils need to take in PE kit and change even when injured and unable to actually do PE?

35 replies

megletthesecond · 15/10/2018 19:35

11yr old DS has been having problems with his knee being unstable and giving away. Lots of pain over the weekend but he's seen a nurse and she thinks it's probably a growth spurt. He can't exercise for a week.

His school still want him to take his PE kit in and get changed for PE and sit on the bench. Can anyone give me a reason why a school would do this? Carrying the extra weight of the PE kit in everyday is more aggravation for his knee.

Thanks.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 15/10/2018 19:38

It's to stop DC faking health issues. If you have to carry the stuff, get changed etc. You may as well do the lesson.

Seniorschoolmum · 15/10/2018 19:40

He’ll be part of the lesson, if he’s on a rugby pitch, he can’t be there in normal shoes in this weather, they’ll get filthy, and maybe he can join in the warming up since that might help with his knee.

Maybe he can help as linesman.

Original poster
megletthesecond · 15/10/2018 19:44

Thanks Smile.
He's not faking, he's sporty and already been picked for a team this term.
The problem is the extra weight of the bag won't help his knee. He can't do warm ups at all. He's on painkillers just to walk, it still gives away but it reduces the pain.

OP posts:
Miladymilord · 15/10/2018 19:46

Why is it giving way? That sounds more than a growth spurt. Does he have ligament damage?
Pe kit doesn't weigh that much does it?

hugoagogo · 15/10/2018 19:48

Yeah the thinking is it stops kids taking the piss. Bit harsh on people who aren't faking.Hmm

GemmeFatale · 15/10/2018 19:48

Just write a note saying carrying the kit will exacerbate the injury so he isn’t carrying it.

Notquiterichenough · 15/10/2018 19:52

Schools are sensible. DS's school has the same rule, but was fine with him just sticking his trainers in his school bag when he had a broken collar bone. He was in a sling, and struggling with his school bag as it was - even getting dressed was a two person job.

You need to email the games teacher and explain.

auntyflonono · 15/10/2018 20:26

I think he needs an x-ray. My daughter had a loose bit of bone in her knee and was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatters. The knee giving way wasn't one of her symptoms though.

MaisyPops · 15/10/2018 20:29

GemmeFatale
That's one option. At my school we have a stash of spare kits (clean!) and he'd be given one of them to wear.
Could the OP request a spare kit be provided if he can't manage to carry It?

RoseAndRose · 15/10/2018 20:30

If it's that bad that the extra weight of basic PE kit is definitely beyond him, then I think you should be taking him back to be seen by a doctor

dontletmedowngently · 15/10/2018 21:05

If it’s more than a one off & his knee keeps slipping then please go back to the doctor. It’s been nearly 4 years since I first took DD to the doctor for the same reason, but as all they ever saw was the ligament injured as a result of the subluxation that was all they treated. She ended up having an MPFL reconstruction 4 weeks ago as the ligament no longer kept her kneecap in position. They tend to be reluctant to resort to surgery when the child is still growing, but she ended up being referred to a consultant who could see that she couldn’t carry on as she was.

Oh, and until she ended up permanently on crutches in January then she always had to change for PE just to sit & watch!

faw2009 · 15/10/2018 21:09

Your poor DS!

Can he leave his PE Kit at school for a bit? After all, it's not like he's actually sweating in it!

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 15/10/2018 21:12

just send in a note/email to say your ds will be relocating to the library for sports lessons until his knee is better rather than indulging their pettifogging rules.

and tell ds he'd better be in the library! :o

ItWasntMeItWasIm · 15/10/2018 21:16

Mine had his ankle in a cast as he'd broken it the previous week and still got told he should have his PE kit with him and get changed.

He was in so much pain and struggling to get around on crutches. And it was only transition week...

ASauvignonADay · 15/10/2018 21:20

To stop kids faking or trying to get out of PE. We have this policy and it works. Absolutely fine to sit out/not take part in certain aspects with a note, but they need to get changed unless physically unable or unreasonable to.

Remember it isn't just your one child, it is managing a whole school.

ASauvignonADay · 15/10/2018 21:21

just send in a note/email to say your ds will be relocating to the library for sports lessons until his knee is better rather than indulging their pettifogging rules
If there is a library that has a member of staff supervising... which many don't now 🙄

MaisyPops · 15/10/2018 21:22

Remember it isn't just your one child, it is managing a whole school.
This is good advice (and something I might steal for future school threads).

Perfectly1mperfect · 15/10/2018 21:25

I would just tell them he's not doing PE, you have taken medical advice and therefore he isn't bringing his kit in. I would back our school on most things but this rule is ridiculous. Thankfully our school doesn't have this rule.

Twotabbycats · 15/10/2018 23:01

This is so unkind to a kid who is injured - not only does he have to lug the extra weight around, he has to hop around on one leg getting changed and then trek out to the rugby pitch and sit/stand there in the rain? All when he's supposed to be resting his leg! Believe me this stuff is painful and difficult with an injury and does not promote healing. I would be complaining to the school.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 15/10/2018 23:11

Is he on crutches? School weren't keen on dd being on the pitch with balls zooming around in case one hit her and did more damage (to be fair she could probably attract a stray ball from 3 miles away so probably a wise assessment). She is hypermobile though and very prone to injury. Ask if they have done a risk assessment. She was finally allowed back and umpiring which she quite enjoyed.

neamchimpsky · 15/10/2018 23:15

Please do take him back and get him seen by a gp, ask about referral to physio at least. I'm still paying the price for not making a fuss about my dodgy knees 3 dislocated kneecaps later, and a lot of pain. Having just soldiered on since being a teen I'm now seeing a wonderful physio who has given simple exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles. It's making a difference but I so wish I'd had it properly looked at earlier.

Nephrite · 15/10/2018 23:27

Our school has this rule but the exception is if they physically can't get changed eg. Broken leg. If your son struggles with getting changed explain that. If ours can't swim eg. Period, they still need to take PE kit to change into and are given a job to do

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 15/10/2018 23:36

And agree definitely get him seen by a physio, especially as he is sporty, they can help him not only to rehabilitate but also (private) to learn to run more effectively and less likely to hurt himself.

Original poster
megletthesecond · 16/10/2018 06:16

Oh blimey. Thanks for all the replies.
I'll have a think, and a cup of tea, and decide what's best.

OP posts:
MaisyPops · 16/10/2018 06:44

Twotabbycats
Our school wouldn't make them sit outside in the rain or anything. There's usually 5 or 6 groups for PE so people who are injured will sit inside next to one of the other groups and usually have that time to get on with work.
If they can get changed, we get them to get changed (part of the running a whole school vs one child).
If it's a long term injury then there tends to be an alternative arrangement where they can work outaide a senior leaders office/in the back of another classroom if a teacher has space. In those situations then the child wouldn't get changed.

Without more medical advice, it's hard to know which route a school would take.

Swipe left for the next trending thread