School punishes boys for playing soldiers

[philw]

School punishes boys for playing at soldiers

Murray Wardrop
May 31, 2011 - 12:45PM

A British primary school which disciplined two seven-year-old boys for playing army games has been condemned by parents.

Teachers ruled that the games amounted to "threatening behaviour" and reprimanded the two boys after they were seen making pistol shapes with their fingers.

Teachers broke up the imaginary classroom shoot-out and contacted the youngsters' parents, warning them that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

Nathaniel Newton Infant School in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, which caters for around 180 pupils aged four to seven, said the gun gestures were "unacceptable" and were not permitted at school.

However, parents have described the reaction as "outrageous", while family groups warned that "wrapping children in cotton wool" damages their upbringing.

A spokesman for the school said: "Far from stopping children from playing we actively encourage it. However a judgment call has to be made if playing turns into unacceptable behaviour.

"The issue here was about hand gestures being made in the shape of a gun towards members of staff which is understandably unacceptable, particularly in the classroom."

A father of one of the boys said: "It's ridiculous. How can you tell a seven-year-old boy he cannot play guns and armies with his friends?

"Another parent was called for the same reason. We were told to reprimand our son for this and to tell him he cannot play guns any more. The teacher said the boys should be reprimanded for threatening behaviour which would not be tolerated at the school."

The community primary school was rated as "good" overall in an Ofsted report published last year, but was warned that the children ought to have greater freedom to play.

The inspectors praised pupils' behaviour as "outstanding", telling them in a letter: "Your behaviour is excellent and you work very well together."

Parenting groups condemned the school's reaction to the children's game of soldiers, warning that it risked causing a rift between the school and parents.

Margaret Morrissey, founder of the family lobby group Parents Outloud, said: "It is madness to try to indoctrinate children aged seven with political correctness in this way.

"Children have played cowboys and Indians like this for generations and it does them absolutely no harm whatsoever. In my experience, it is the children who are banned from playing innocent games like this who then go on to develop a fascination with guns.

"We cannot wrap our children in cotton wool. Allowing them to take a few risks and play games outside is an essential part of growing up."

The case follows a string of similar incidents in which children's playtime activities have been curbed by overzealous staff over health and safety concerns.

Earlier this year, a Liverpool school banned youngsters from playing football with anything other than sponge balls amid fears youngsters might get hurt.

Research last month also found that one in six British schools had banned conkers due to concerns of pupils being hit in the face. Games such as leapfrog have also been banned.

Marcus Jones, the Tory MP for Nuneaton, said: "It is quite apparent that the seven-year-olds would be playing an innocent game.

"This is political correctness gone mad. When I was that age that type of game was common place and I don't remember anyone coming to any harm from it."

The Daily Telegraph, London

http://www.smh.com.au/world/school-punishes-boys-for-playing-at-soldiers-20110531-1fdui.html#ixzz1NtuzCq68

the amount of stuff i did as a kid these days would be frowned upon, however I know I am going to let my daughter have the chance to do them if she wants.

I really hope the other parents really stick it up the school as well.
what is the next PC crusade, we have now got them singing ba ba rainbow sheep as it is offensive to the black sheep and Fairy Penguins are now little Penguins. when did the place start being the MFW. did I miss that email.

this PC BullShit me ask the question "how do we set up our own country?" so we can ignore all this PC shit.

[tombogan03884]

You would need to acquire land outside the jurisdiction of existing nations, or in an ambiguous location, an island in the Rio Grande for example .
 

[philw]

You would need to acquire land outside the jurisdiction of existing nations, or in an ambiguous location, an island in the Rio Grande for example .
 

want to help then....   

[Ping]

The easy answer is don't follow pc. I get so sick of it. I have ruffled a few feathers but I tell it like it is. I am not brash, rude nor inconsiderate when I point out the problem. I try to remain professional and with a smile on my face. 

[PegLeg45]

You would need to acquire land outside the jurisdiction of existing nations, or in an ambiguous location, an island in the Rio Grande for example .
 

Can I get a 'corner' island?   

[Sponsor]

[philw]

Can I get a 'corner' island?   

bhwaaa 

if we are running it.. YES,   

and the 2nd amendment will be the first. one in our laws

[fightingquaker13]

You would need to acquire land outside the jurisdiction of existing nations, or in an ambiguous location, an island in the Rio Grande for example .
 

By that standard a large portiom of the Soiuthwest could qualify as having ambiguous borders.
FQ13