School criticised over heatwave sports

Jul 22 2006 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

THE mother of an eight-year-old girl has criticised a city primary school for going ahead with its sports day during the heatwave.

Stephanie Broadbent, whose daughter Kathryn attends Yardley Primary School, in Harvey Road, said pupils were left to swelter in the sun for nearly two hours during the event on Monday when temperatures reached 30 degrees.

Mrs Broadbent, who lives in Yardley, said: "I'm pretty disgusted.

"I am a scout leader, so I know the importance of the sun in preventing Vitamin D deficiency, but we want it done in a safe manner, and this isn't it.

"Skin cancer is laid down in childhood, and all the guidelines say children of this age shouldn't be out in full sun for more than 20 minutes."

She added: "My daughter looked singed when she got home and was pretty pink."

Yardley head teacher Jan Moss insisted that the school decided to go ahead with the sports day after taking "all reasonable precautions".

She said: "Children were asked to bring hats and suncream to school and they had access to as much cold water as they wanted all afternoon.

"There were shady areas available which the pupils were able to sit under.

"Races were also shortened to reduce physical exertion and the length of time they were out on the field."

* Should school sports days be cancelled in the heat? Tell us what you think at www.birminghammail.net/news/yoursay