Gymnastics

12 years old girl

Medical background and parental communication

Facts of the case

• The 12-year-old girl who was born with dislocated hips had several operations, resulting in an artificial hip joint and a permanent limp.

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• The girl's mother very carefully and repeatedly informed each school that her daughter attended that she was not to participate in physical education and games.

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• The head teacher informed the physical education teacher that the girl was not to participate.

The girl was desperately keen to join in

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The girl was desperately keen to join in. She told the teacher that she was allowed to join in and the teacher accepted her word.

During a paired activity that involved working on handstands, the girl fell and broke her ankle.

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• The girl was off school for three months.
• The teacher had not supervised closely.
• A charge of negligence was brought.

Judgement

• The teacher ignored a directive from the head teacher without checking back or receiving alternative instructions about the participation of the girl.

2. The teacher failed to keep a close watch on the girl when setting quite a difficult task in what was the girl's first gymnastics lesson. She failed to cater for the girl's individual needs and background.

Issues to Consider

• Activities should be within the known capabilities and experience of the pupils involved.
• If a responsible adult is suspicious of the authenticity of a parental note, the request made in the note should be followed regardless. The issue of authenticity should then be investigated after the lesson.

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• It is important to check pupil medical records to ensure that pupil’s fitness is at an adequate level in order to enable them to participate in particular activities.
• Long-term non-participants should be closely monitored when they initially rejoin lessons.

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• Tasks may need to be adjusted for some pupils if their previous performance has been prejudiced by absence or injury