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British bulldog 'vanishing from schools' | British bulldog 'vanishing from schools' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Teachers fear traditional playground games like British bulldog and conkers are disappearing from many of England's schools, a survey suggests. | Teachers fear traditional playground games like British bulldog and conkers are disappearing from many of England's schools, a survey suggests. |
More than a quarter (29%) of the 653 school staff surveyed by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said chasing game British bulldog had been banned from their school. | More than a quarter (29%) of the 653 school staff surveyed by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said chasing game British bulldog had been banned from their school. |
Some 14% said pupils were banned from playing conkers and 9% said leapfrog. | Some 14% said pupils were banned from playing conkers and 9% said leapfrog. |
Most (57%) said they felt schools were becoming increasingly risk averse. | Most (57%) said they felt schools were becoming increasingly risk averse. |
The research was published at the ATL teaching union's annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday. | The research was published at the ATL teaching union's annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday. |
And overall 15% of teachers, lecturers, support staff and school leaders said that fewer playground games and sports activities were played at their school than three years ago. | And overall 15% of teachers, lecturers, support staff and school leaders said that fewer playground games and sports activities were played at their school than three years ago. |
'Broken bones' | 'Broken bones' |
The key reasons for the decline were fewer staff on hand to supervise activities, reduced funding and concerns over pupil safety. | The key reasons for the decline were fewer staff on hand to supervise activities, reduced funding and concerns over pupil safety. |
One secondary school teacher said the game, bulldog, was banned at her school "because of the number of broken bones it generates!" | One secondary school teacher said the game, bulldog, was banned at her school "because of the number of broken bones it generates!" |
And a primary school teacher said: "Apparently the main problem with conkers is that nut allergy sufferers are increasingly allergic to them." | And a primary school teacher said: "Apparently the main problem with conkers is that nut allergy sufferers are increasingly allergic to them." |
Teachers were also questioned about changes in attitude towards risk. Some 57% of staff said there was a growing trend towards risk aversion in schools. | Teachers were also questioned about changes in attitude towards risk. Some 57% of staff said there was a growing trend towards risk aversion in schools. |
And of the 383 staff who thought schools were more risk adverse, 90% said it constrained activities both in and out of school. | And of the 383 staff who thought schools were more risk adverse, 90% said it constrained activities both in and out of school. |
Some 84% think it limits the curriculum, while 83% believe risk aversion puts a brake on pupils' preparation for life. | Some 84% think it limits the curriculum, while 83% believe risk aversion puts a brake on pupils' preparation for life. |
A deputy head teacher at a primary school in Cleveland said: "All staff recognise the need to keep children safe, but not all recognise that children still need to take measured risks to develop real life skills." | A deputy head teacher at a primary school in Cleveland said: "All staff recognise the need to keep children safe, but not all recognise that children still need to take measured risks to develop real life skills." |
A teacher at the Froebel Small School in East Sussex said it tried to help children learn to be safe. | A teacher at the Froebel Small School in East Sussex said it tried to help children learn to be safe. |
"Children are allowed to explore their physical limits and learn to negotiate physical tasks at their own pace. Staff have clear guidelines and children have clear boundaries," the teacher added. | "Children are allowed to explore their physical limits and learn to negotiate physical tasks at their own pace. Staff have clear guidelines and children have clear boundaries," the teacher added. |
Another secondary school teacher, from Wales, said: "Pupils need to learn their own limitations, which they can't do if they don't encounter risk." | Another secondary school teacher, from Wales, said: "Pupils need to learn their own limitations, which they can't do if they don't encounter risk." |
And there continues to be fears that school trips could end in teachers or schools being sued, should something go wrong. | And there continues to be fears that school trips could end in teachers or schools being sued, should something go wrong. |
'Mud and love' | 'Mud and love' |
The majority of staff think school trips and activities are very important, with 92% of those surveyed saying they enhanced learning and support the curriculum. | The majority of staff think school trips and activities are very important, with 92% of those surveyed saying they enhanced learning and support the curriculum. |
Some schools already have a relaxed attitude towards risk. A teacher at a primary school in England told how its children go on weekly nature walks and end up being taught how to make a campfire and cook on it. | Some schools already have a relaxed attitude towards risk. A teacher at a primary school in England told how its children go on weekly nature walks and end up being taught how to make a campfire and cook on it. |
"We also spend the day in the woods around a fire pretending to be Anglo-Saxons. Mud and love is our motto. I think we are unique!" | "We also spend the day in the woods around a fire pretending to be Anglo-Saxons. Mud and love is our motto. I think we are unique!" |
ATL general secretary, Mary Bousted, said: "Teachers, lecturers, support staff and school leaders all recognise that children need to be safe, however, without encountering risk it is difficult for them to learn their own limitations." | ATL general secretary, Mary Bousted, said: "Teachers, lecturers, support staff and school leaders all recognise that children need to be safe, however, without encountering risk it is difficult for them to learn their own limitations." |
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