'Ridiculous' goggles ban at school
PUPILS at a Devon school have been banned from wearing goggles during swimming lessons – for health and safety reasons.
Teachers at St Sidwells Primary school, Exeter, have told parents that goggles can only be worn by children who have an adverse reaction to the chemicals in water.
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Authorities say they're following advice from the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education.
The advice states: "Head teachers should inform parents and carers that goggles can be a hazard and cause permanent eye injury.
"Wet plastic is very slippery and frequent, incorrect or unnecessary adjustment or removal of them, by pulling them away from the eyes instead of sliding them over the forehead, can lead to them slipping from the pupil's grasp, with the hard plastic causing severe injury."
But parent Tracy Brock said the ban was "ridiculous".
"It's health and safety gone too far," she said.
"My children have worn goggles for years and there's never been a problem before. Part of growing up is playing and taking risks. Children are being wrapped up in cotton wool now."
Mrs Brock, whose daughter Tess, 11, uses goggles to keep chlorine out of her eyes, added: "If it carries on like this we are going to be breeding a generation of namby pambies. They'll be frightened of their own shadow before too long.
"It's ridiculous, but I think it's the suing culture. People in charge of children are afraid of being sued, which is a shame."
The school said in a statement: "In the present culture we need to make sure we are legally covered in the event of a problem or injury. We do, however, try to be flexible and are happy to discuss with parents any concerns they may have."
Steve Kibble, Devon County Council senior education adviser, said the guidance was not new.
"It's been around about 15 years," he said. "It's about managing risk – we're saying goggles should only be worn by children who have an adverse reaction to chemicals in the water."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Thursday, July 02 2009, 8:13PM
“:| Sarah sweetheart; are you Scottish? . You are sounding like an unsociable bisom. . I was just was giving a response to something Reg wrote earlier. . Best Charles”
by Sarah, Truro
Thursday, July 02 2009, 3:17PM
“Seriously what are these comments below to do with the article????”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 7:44PM
“:| So sorry; I mean Reg of course. . . It's very warm here.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 7:40PM
“:| Ken from Portugal. . Let's get this straight shall we. . I am NOT a fan of Michael Jackson. . And nor am I a racist. . But if I posted my views about Michael Jackson's activities here; the Web Editor would not be a happy bunny. . I was strictly restricting my views to the commercial aspect of the transactions. . . Best Charles
PS. I am pleased Hewitt and Roddick have just had a five setter. . That should improve Andy Murray's chances on Friday.”
by Reg, Portugal
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 7:00PM
“Jon, Kingsbridge - don't laugh, that'll be next on account of cost.
Charles Henry - Smartness eh? I really hope you are being facetious? Allegedly (!), this bloke paid off 1 or more families to stop a case or cases going to court. He was black and spent his life (allegedly(!)) trying to turn himself white - and don't give us the Vitiligo garbage. I once managed a "Black" nightclub in Liverpool and was very friendly with a black girl who suffered Vitiligo and, more to the point, my wife suffers heavily from Vitiligo now - it having started when she was 13 or so. She is now 56. Jackson has spent the last 20 odd years in self built purgatory (allegedly)abusing his body with drugs and painkillers. And now, now, we have a sad, shallow world of muppets and morons who want to put him back at the top - after the events of these last years. Come on.....”
by Justin, Cornwall
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 1:10PM
“Political Correctness,using the Health & Safety act. This isn't madness on the behalf of your Govt. It's to domesticate or desenitize people to the nature of control. Remember,boys and girls. . .the state knows best,not you!. This is how tyrannies are started.”
by a g rawlings, truro
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 10:02AM
“Yes Mathew, and dragging down our race into not believing in it. Making our children ashamed of it, so much for our PC religion.”
by Mathew, Switzerland
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 9:06AM
“Why don't they just put kids in a padded cell with no television (in case it might explode), no pencils (in case they fall on them), no paper (in case of paper cuts) - in fact no nothing, becuase the above things are more likely to happen than scenario outlined above. I don't blame the teacher - I blame the government because they are the ones who are turning the UK into an under developed country.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 8:04AM
“:| We just have to work 'smarter' AG. . Remember if you can 'add value', there will always be someone smart enough to trade it. . An example of 'Smartness' for you. . The Michael Jackson camp are now going to offer 'Souvenir Tickets' to commemorate Michael's Life and Death, if people want them instead of refunds for his concert. . They will no doubt become great investments. . That's what you call 'Smart'. . Trading is not just about 'cheapness'. It's about value.”
by a g rawlings, truro
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 6:51PM
“If you haven't voted you cannot complain, but if you have voted, more fool you. We now live in the PC world that only controls because the British people allow them too. Come the next election up get the people to vote for a different party, sadly only in name. What difference are we going to get with any of the import foreign goods and put our people on the dole scoungers forum parties? What jobs are we going to create? What happens when our imports get to expensive and the Far East outstrips our economy?”