Parents fume as school bans tag in playground uproar

Not allowed: Bearsden Primary School has banned popular game (Alamy) A decision to ban the popular playground game of ‘tag’ at a primary school has been criticised by politicians and parents. Children in P4-P7 at Bearsden Primary School in East Dunbartonshire have been outlawed from playing the game, also called ‘tig’ and ‘it’, on the orders of the school’s headteacher. The Scottish Conservatives branded the decision ‘absurd’. A letter from headteacher Annamarie Conway sent out to parents said: ‘I am writing to clarify information that I shared with children during the P4-P7 assembly on Monday, November 2. ‘I advised children in P4-P7 that they should not play tig for the next 2/3 weeks.

I explained that this was because there has been a lot of rough play in tig and children have been hurt. I further explained that we will work with them to agree rules for safe play, with kind hands and feet. No fun: Game has been called too rough for playtime (Shutterstock) ‘I did not discuss tig at the P1-P3 assembly because there is not the same level of concern. ‘As Head Teacher of the school, I am responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children.

Everyone has the right to have a happy playtime.’ Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher MSP said: ‘It is absurd that children are being told they cannot play a simple playground game. ‘It seems we have reached a point under the SNP’s control of Scottish education where headteachers are having to ban games and stopping children having fun at playtime, rather than dealing with real issues in their schools.’ The Daily Mail quoted one parent, who branded the decision ‘unfair’.

They said: ‘I think it’s a bit of a farce. ‘I realise they’ve said that some children have been hurt because of it, and that kids may have been too rough when playing. ‘But some kids are going to be too rough no matter what they’re doing or playing. ‘It doesn’t make sense to me to ban a whole game because of the actions of a few. ‘There were plenty of children playing it who weren’t taking it too far, and now they’re being punished for the actions of the few. ‘It’s not fair.

Address the behaviour and deal with it, by all means, but don’t ban a game for everyone, especially the ones who haven’t done anything wrong.’ Another parent added: ‘There has been water ingress into the school building in recent weeks, it feels like banning playground games should be the least of the council’s concerns.’ However, Greg Bremner, Chief Education Officer at East Dunbartonshire Council, backed the decision to ban the popular playground activity.

He said: ‘Children in primaries P4-P7 at Bearsden Primary School have been advised that over the next few weeks they should not play tig at playtime as children have been hurt as a result of rough play. ‘Over the next two to three weeks teachers will work with pupils to agree rules for the game that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children during playtime. ‘The headteacher has written to all parents to inform them of this course of action as the health and safety of all pupils is a priority in all our schools.’