Parents slam primary school as it bans pupils from playing tag
‘What next, send your kids in bubble wrap?’ Parents slam primary school as it bans pupils from playing tag because of ‘high number of minor injuries’
- ‘Rough Games’ are banned at Manston St James CofE Primary Academy in Leeds
Parents have criticised a primary school after it banned pupils from playing tag because of a ‘high number of minor injuries’.
All games that involve physical contact are currently outlawed at Manston St James CofE Primary Academy in Leeds – although hugging and high fives are still allowed.
The policy prompted anger among parents, one of whom said it was ‘health and safety gone mad’ and asked: ‘What next, send your kids to school in bubble wrap?’
Headteacher Hayley McNeill said the ban was permanent and had been brought in to keep pupils safe after ‘a higher-than-normal number of incidents and minor injuries’.
According to The Sun, she added: ‘All decisions made in school derive from our vision of ensuring that children are rooted and grounded in love.’
All games that involve physical contact are currently outlawed at Manston St James CofE Primary Academy in Leeds. File photo of school children
Parent Michele Bettison said: ‘Children need old-fashioned games in the playground. God knows they all hide away in school holidays on Xboxes etc like hermits.’
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It comes after an Essex secondary school banned all physical contact between pupils and romantic relationships – even hugging and holding hands.
Hylands School in Chelmsford said they ‘do not allow’ romantic relationships in a ‘draconian’ crackdown on physical touch.
A letter sent by the school says forms of physical contact which are not tolerated include ‘any aggressive physical contact, hugging, holding hands, slapping someone, etc.’
It continues: ‘This is in order to keep your child safe. If your child is touching somebody else, whether they are consenting or not, anything could happen.
‘It could lead to an injury, make someone feel very uncomfortable, or someone being touched inappropriately.
The head of Manston St James (pic) said the ban was permanent and had been brought in to keep pupils safe after ‘a higher-than-normal number of incidents and minor injuries’
‘While we want your children to make really positive friendships, hopefully lifelong ones, we don’t allow romantic relationships at Hylands. Your child is of course able to have these relationships with your permission outside of school.
‘We want your child to focus on their learning while in school and we don’t want them to be distracted by relationship issues.’
Parents criticised the rules and questioned the school’s explanation that it encourages children to behave ‘professionally’.
MailOnline has contacted Manston St James for comment.
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