School sack races cancelled by health and safety - because the children might fall over

Children have been banned from taking part in sack and three-legged races at their school sports day in case they hurt themselves.

The decision has been slammed as 'completely over the top' and of no benefit.



Teachers at John F Kennedy Primary in Washington, Tyne and Wear, dropped the popular events after discussions with Beamish Open Air Museum, where an Edwardian-themed sports day is being held today.

Teachers at the John F. Kennedy Primary school have scrapped the sports day sack race fearing children will fall over

Children taking part are to dress in period costume and play old-fashioned games as part of the school's centenary celebrations.

Events such as running, hopping and throwing ping-pong balls into buckets will take place, but it was decided that the sack and three-legged races were far too risky.

Simon Woolley, head of education at Beamish in County Durham, said: "We looked at a three-legged race and a sack race but what we want to do is minimise the risk to the children.

'We had to assess which of the activities were liable to cause a risk. We thought we would be better to do hopping and running instead because there was less chance of them falling over.'



The decision has come under fire by the Campaign Against Political Correctness group.

Founder Laura Midgely, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said: 'It's health and safety rules gone mad. I think it's completely over the top.

'Why should these activities be so dangerous when they're fine in every other school? We certainly had no problems with these events when I was at school.

'In any case, the worst thing that could possibly happen is the children fall over.

'They're going to fall over doing any event aren't they?

'Three-legged races are very constructive and involve teamwork . . . they are good for a number of reasons. It's a great shame.'

Around 375 children aged four to 11 are taking part in the event.

Teacher and organiser Gill Hanley said: "As far as I know, an awful lot of schools haven't done these kind of activities for a long time so I don't see that it's a problem.

'We decided we had too many events anyway and we wanted the easiest things that we could get for the children to take part in.'