Pupil Health & Safety

TeacherNet: Pupil Health & Safety

Just a reflection on the way last week started...

In the 12 years that I have been teaching PE and games no one has ever been seriously hurt until, that is, last Monday. What makes me laugh is that with all the angst & worry over health and safety in school sports, particulary rugby, the only child ever to damage themselves in one of my sessions is a 6 year old who was actually standing still at the time!

There we were, me and my Monday afternoon Year 1 football class. Running up and down, a few at a time, dribbling the ball. Then, from just over my right shoulder I hear a child crying. Turning round I saw X, who was waiting their turn, lying on the floor in what looked like a lot of pain.

Now as I mentioned above, I 've never encountered a serious injury. Also I've seen a lot of whinging kids who just had a bang. But there was a different quality to this little person's reaction. I could just sense it. So, I called for the nurse and she came running and dealt with the situation before the other 19 five and six year-olds ran amok!

Sure enough there was a broken arm. The child had simply over balanced while fiddling with the ball and fallen over. A freak accident.

So, the next time anyone tries to tell me how dangerous rugby is for young children...

BBC NEWS | Business | At-a-glance: The Stern Review

What price responsibility? Is this what we educate for? To promote a sustainable future? To engender a responsible attitude?

The Stern Review

The importance of literacy & numeracy is clear when placed in the context of the future with which our children have to contend. They have to be able to read & critically analyse reports & data presented to them & make up their own minds as to the role that they want to play in ensuring a sustainable future.