the teachers are scared of litigation issues, cal.
because of `paedophile panic` and parents all too ready to sue schools - many teachers are now reluctant to handle children or run any risks.
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School bans sun cream
PA News
04/05/2004
An eight-year-old schoolboy has been banned from taking sun cream to school.
Joseph Marshall’s mother, Helen, said she was outraged when staff at Hillcrest Primary School in Totterdown, Bristol, confiscated his factor 60 sun cream.
Miss Marshall said her pale skinned, freckly, ginger haired son was prone to sunburn in hot weather and accused the school of putting his health at risk.
She said: “I have always been conscientious and wary of skin cancer so I have encouraged my children to get used to applying protection from an early age.”
“Joseph has lily white skin and burns very easily so he needs protecting from the sun during the lunch hour play time.”
Head teacher Norma Watson said pupils were not allowed to bring any medication into school as they could pose a danger to other children. Instead, she said children were encouraged to wear long sleeved clothing and hats.
But Miss Marshall, 29, said children should be encouraged to be careful in the sun and use sun cream.
“This country needs do more to educate people about the dangers of skin cancer. The school’s policy is ridiculous.”
The school also refused to let Joseph’s 10-year-old sister Maggie help her brother put on the sun cream.
Miss Marshall has been fighting to get the school rules changed since the cream was first confiscated in June 2003.
Head teacher Ms Watson said the policy complied with health and safety guidelines and was backed by Bristol City Council.
“We do not allow pupils to bring any medication into school as they could constitute a risk to other children who may get it in their eyes or try to swallow it,” she said.
“Sun cream is not the only way to protect people from getting skin cancer. We encourage all the pupils to wear long sleeved tops and head gear when it is hot.”
A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said it supported the school’s policy.
“It was considered that a child carrying sun cream at a primary school could represent a potential health risk and set a precedent which was not in the best interests of children,” the spokeswoman said.
Miss Marshall said two members of her extended family had recently been treated for skin cancer.
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