8 year old with CP at main stream School

TonyLisa

Our granddaughter who we are full time caters for has CP she is wheelchair bound and attends main stream school, on Friday she came home wet from being taken outside during breaks in the rain. We complained to school/head about her being wet and they said. They will continue to take her outside in bad weather as all the children need to have fresh air. They provided nothing to keep her legs dry and said, she needs to get use to it as the heating will not get put on until December and all the windows and doors will be left open due to Covid. Are we being unreasonable thinking they are wrong for doing this, when they are so adamant they are right?

Would love to hear other people’s thoughts/ experiences 

Tori_Scope

Hello and welcome to the community @TonyLisa! Thanks for joining

Just to let you know, I've moved your post into the Education category, as that might help other members who have been in a similar situation to see your post.

It sounds like that was probably very uncomfortable for her. I'm not sure what the rules are on taking the students outside, but I do know that a lot of schools have an open-window policy at the moment to aid with ventilation. Has she had to go outside at breaktimes in previous school years? 

TonyLisa

Not in terrible rain, its actually worse than my first post as the school rung and asked for a change of clothes, which we promptly got there (around 10am) when we picked her up (at 3pm) she hadn't the been changed and had been taken back out twice more in the rain! When we questioned this, the head came out felt her trousers and said that weren’t that bad, but they were very damp underneath. We were fuming!

janer1967

Hi and welcome that doesn't sound right ti me leaving her wet 

Maybe ask the head how she would feel wearing wet clothes all day 

I agree they need to go out but weather permitted and only if clothes properly 

Can you take it up with the school governors 

Tori_Scope

That's not on at all @TonyLisa. I'll tag @Richard_Scope in here, as he's our Specialist Information Officer for CP and might be more equipped to know what action you can take. 

Richard_Scope

Hi @TonyLisa
Great to meet you. As a person with CP and a wheelchair user who went through the mainstream school system, I can see both sides of this. 
I feel that it is vital that your granddaughter is not isolated from her classmates and is included in as many activities as is reasonable and safe. This will help her form a positive self-image and increase her confidence.
However, she should absolutely not be left in wet clothing for a prolonged period of time. I would recommend arranging a formal meeting with the headteacher to discuss your concerns and explore ways of creating a procedure for when your granddaughter is going to be outside. For example, you could buy a waterproof that stays at school? something like this Cosy Wrap
If I can be of any help, let me know

Chloe_Scope

Welcome to the community @TonyLisa, great to have you with us.