School excluding disabled pupils from PE due to 3G pitch rules?

[Goldeh]

DC attends a mainstream school who have recently had a 3G pitch installed. School have said that no one is allowed on without the correct type of football boots. DC cannot wear the boots due to disability, we have tried numerous brands and styles, none are suitable. School are aware of this (also worth noting, DC has an EHCP so school also has a clear overview of his needs).

I've found out today that DC has been spending PE lessons either standing on the sidelines watching or in a classroom listening to music, neither of which constitutes a PE lesson.

Is it discrimination that no alternative provision is being made to enable DC to access the PE curriculum? DC is being effectively excluded due to being unable to wear the boots because of disability. Other children who cannot use the pitch are also on the sidelines as school won't allow wheelchairs, etc on it either.

Those 3G pitches are full of carcinogenic chemicals so I'd be glad if mine weren't allowed to play - but I understand that a teenage boy might feel differently!
It's awful that disabled students are not getting PE lessons at all because of this and must surely be against the equality act. I would contact the school and complain OP.

I know, I hate them too and much prefer real grass. It's lovely the school have gotten nice new sports facilities but I feel bad for DC who now can't join in like he could when it was proper grass.

Your are right. It absolutely isn’t acceptable. The school should either be including DC in lessons or where that isn’t possible, making alternative arrangements if DC can’t participate in the normal lessons.

You can wear astroturf boots on 3G pitches, have you tried them and would the school allow them (they would be unreasonable not to)?

Also request an early review of the EHCP.

So I don't think they are excluding him based on being inflexible about the 3G. Regular trainers on a 3G can tear the pitch. They can diminish the pitch, make it more likely it has to be re-plastic beaded and will create larger divets thus compromising the integrity of the pitch. Gut feel is that they probably 'rent' it out to clubs in the evenings and weekends so have to enforce this rule to maximise use and profit.

Also, there is a greater change of injury (going over on your ankle due to slippage). You can wear astros if it is a 3G and not a 4G - might be worth checking that.

I think this is more about preserving the pitch, health and safety and reducing costs.

Having said all of that they should forgo using the 3G and just use the grass to be inclusive of your son as it isn't acceptable he is unable to join his PE class.