Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2016 9:04:14 GMT
'The world's gone crazy!'
Primary school bans children from playing 'tag' claiming some have become upset during traditional break time game
A primary school has banned children from playing 'tag' as it claimed the traditional playtime game had left some children upset and with torn clothing.
Christ the King school in Bramley, Leeds, introduced the rule to allow pupils time to 'settle down a bit' and because the playground was 'too small'.
Children are allowed to play 'air tag' instead and those caught flouting the ban are disciplined and kept inside.
The popular playground pastime, also known as 'tag', 'tig' or 'you're it', is a chasing game that involves minimal physical contact.
The temporary measures brought in by the school has enraged parents.
Billy Salkeld, 45, whose ten-year-old son Eddie goes to the school, said: ‘They have been told not to have any contact in the school grounds. My son plays rugby so he is used to the contact, so it’s a bit bewildering to be honest. It’s ridiculous isn’t it?’
Mr Salkeld, a delivery driver, said his son enjoyed ‘rough and tumble’ with his friends at break but has had to stop.
‘He used to do usual playground stuff and now it has been knocked on the head. The world’s gone crazy, kids can’t do ’owt these days. The whole place is going bonkers,’ he said.
Dawn O'Toole, a parent who used to work at the school as a playground supervisor, said she was told to stop children playing tag about a year ago as it was 'causing arguments'.
She said: 'If we saw them playing tag, we had to go over to them and ask them to stop and find something else to play.
'I was very shocked, it is a natural game for children and the children themselves weren't very happy about it.'
Her son said he had been disciplined for playing the game and kept inside at break time.
A child at the school added: 'They've been letting us play "air tag", but I don't like the fact we can't play proper tag.'
Christ the King school, in Bramley, Leeds, introduced the temporary measure in January as it was upsetting pupils.
The site has a 'Five Rules' policy, which includes 'keep hands to self'.
Head teacher Neil Ryan said while the school was eager to see pupils enjoying games at break times, the playground was too small for some activities.
He said: 'We've had a few instances recently of children being upset and having clothes torn during games of tag.
'As a temporary measure, we have decided to ask pupils not to play tag in our small playground for now.
'Once the weather improves and the larger school field is available to use, the children will be able to play tag again.'
This is not the first time a school has banned the popular pastime.
In 2013, Egerton Community Primary near Bolton prohibited children playing 'tag' as it was causing 'accidents' in the playground.
Alternative play zones were created for children to play games such as basketball.
Following that, furious parents launched an online petition calling for the decision to be reversed.
In 2008, a ten-year-old boy in Omaha, Nebraska, died from brain injuries suffered from falling on to a metal pole while playing the game.
A school dinner lady in Dorset was left partially paralysed after a 13-year-old boy playing tag ran into her in 2004.
Her claim for damages was rejected by three Court of Appeal judges, who ruled that the boy had not broken any school rules by playing the game.
Primary school bans children from playing 'tag' claiming some have become upset during traditional break time game
A primary school has banned children from playing 'tag' as it claimed the traditional playtime game had left some children upset and with torn clothing.
Christ the King school in Bramley, Leeds, introduced the rule to allow pupils time to 'settle down a bit' and because the playground was 'too small'.
Children are allowed to play 'air tag' instead and those caught flouting the ban are disciplined and kept inside.
The popular playground pastime, also known as 'tag', 'tig' or 'you're it', is a chasing game that involves minimal physical contact.
The temporary measures brought in by the school has enraged parents.
Billy Salkeld, 45, whose ten-year-old son Eddie goes to the school, said: ‘They have been told not to have any contact in the school grounds. My son plays rugby so he is used to the contact, so it’s a bit bewildering to be honest. It’s ridiculous isn’t it?’
Mr Salkeld, a delivery driver, said his son enjoyed ‘rough and tumble’ with his friends at break but has had to stop.
‘He used to do usual playground stuff and now it has been knocked on the head. The world’s gone crazy, kids can’t do ’owt these days. The whole place is going bonkers,’ he said.
Dawn O'Toole, a parent who used to work at the school as a playground supervisor, said she was told to stop children playing tag about a year ago as it was 'causing arguments'.
She said: 'If we saw them playing tag, we had to go over to them and ask them to stop and find something else to play.
'I was very shocked, it is a natural game for children and the children themselves weren't very happy about it.'
Her son said he had been disciplined for playing the game and kept inside at break time.
A child at the school added: 'They've been letting us play "air tag", but I don't like the fact we can't play proper tag.'
Christ the King school, in Bramley, Leeds, introduced the temporary measure in January as it was upsetting pupils.
The site has a 'Five Rules' policy, which includes 'keep hands to self'.
Head teacher Neil Ryan said while the school was eager to see pupils enjoying games at break times, the playground was too small for some activities.
He said: 'We've had a few instances recently of children being upset and having clothes torn during games of tag.
'As a temporary measure, we have decided to ask pupils not to play tag in our small playground for now.
'Once the weather improves and the larger school field is available to use, the children will be able to play tag again.'
This is not the first time a school has banned the popular pastime.
In 2013, Egerton Community Primary near Bolton prohibited children playing 'tag' as it was causing 'accidents' in the playground.
Alternative play zones were created for children to play games such as basketball.
Following that, furious parents launched an online petition calling for the decision to be reversed.
In 2008, a ten-year-old boy in Omaha, Nebraska, died from brain injuries suffered from falling on to a metal pole while playing the game.
A school dinner lady in Dorset was left partially paralysed after a 13-year-old boy playing tag ran into her in 2004.
Her claim for damages was rejected by three Court of Appeal judges, who ruled that the boy had not broken any school rules by playing the game.
Alan Brazil speaking on the breakfast show (Talksport) earlier said "I'm glad I was born when I was".
