Who would be a teacher in this climate of pupil power and threats to teachers. As pupil bad behaviour and untrue allegations increase, support for teachers is almost non-existent. There has been a report this week that teachers have been advised not to put sunscreen on pupils for fear of exposing themselves to allegations of child abuse.
Who would be a teacher in this climate of pupil power and threats to teachers. As pupil bad behaviour and untrue allegations increase, support for teachers is almost non-existent. There has been a report this week that teachers have been advised not to put sunscreen on pupils for fear of exposing themselves to allegations of child abuse.
In a Guardian report, it seems that after the recent heatwave, which sparked warnings from health officials, the teachers' union NASUWT said children should be kept indoors during hot weather. Chris Keates, the general secretary of the union, said staff who were asked to apply sun cream to children in school should tell headteachers it was not part of their job.
She told the Times Educational Supplement (TES): "Clearly, children have to be protected, but we are extremely concerned about teachers taking responsibility for applying sunscreen to children in the present climate of false allegations. "I am not saying that teachers should not care, but it is safer for teachers to question whether children need to spend time in the sun. "It seems a very simple thing, but it's one that could get teachers into enormous difficulties."
Nurseries and primary schools have been advised to obtain permission from parents for teachers to apply sun cream to their children, the TES reported. But the union said such permission would not protect teachers from allegations of abuse.
I think we are going mad. Not that I believe that we should not protect our children, but if we don’t protect and support our teachers, the activities that they will be willing or able (given the local authorities won’t be able to afford the insurance) to be involved in out of the classroom will get smaller and smaller. I remember such wonderful holidays abroad, nature walks, activity weeks, visits and a whole host of outdoor games and adventurous activities. Who on earth would dare to do these now. Our children are the ones that suffer.
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