No leg to stand on in school insurance fiasco (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

No leg to stand on in school insurance fiasco

IT'S a traditional school sports day event - a test of teamwork and speed in a quest to be first over the finishing line.

Yet in another case of bureaucracy gone mad, youngsters at one Cotswold school were told they could no longer take part in the three-legged race.

Bibury Primary School, which admits it is as frustrated as the pupils, says the event contravenes health and safety regulations.

But, not to be deterred, one group of youngsters decided to cut through the red tape recently and organise an event on their own initiative to raise money for the Asian tsunami appeal.

George Lager, whose daughter Katrin organised the race through the village, said: "As a parent I find it frustrating but I can understand why.

"It's a backward step for society really though. You can't litigate against growing up.

"Years ago the schools would jump into something like that but nowadays people are so easy to sue."

A group of pupils and parents took part in the race late last month, which set off from the old police house and made its way through the village to the Bibury Court Hotel.

The event raised £484 for the tsunami appeal but, because of the health and safety rules, those taking part had to act independently of the school.

This is not the first time traditional sports day events, such as the sack race and the wheelbarrow race, have been dropped in most UK schools for fear of injury.

In October last year the Standard revealed how Bourton-on-the-Water's Cotswold School had banned conker fights because fighting was forbidden in the school.

A number of learning establishments now force pupils to wear protective goggles when they play conkers.

Bibury headteacher Pauline Phillips said the health and safety rules were frustrating and she paid tribute to the efforts of her pupils with their fundraising drive.

She said: "We're very proud of them for taking part - it was good they were acting independently.

"It's very difficult for schools to be involved now because we become liable.

"I find it a shame. It's (tradition events) fun and I think most parents feel that way too.

"In everything we do, we're always working out what to do for the health and safety of the children, which is right, but they need to experience a bit of fun."