Methwold school defends coronavirus PE kit policy after criticism expressed

A West Norfolk school has defended its policy on students wearing PE kits all day after concerns had been expressed by a parent.

Many schools and academies are currently asking pupils to attend in PE kit when they have a PE lesson scheduled as they cannot use the changing facilities to minimise Covid-related risk.

One parent, whose autistic son attends the Iceni Academy in Methwold, said the student had PE first lesson then had to "spend all day in wet clothing".

He added: "I really don't see how they can do this to any of the children."

Iceni Academy principal Lesley Hogg emphasised the importance of physical exercise on students' physical and mental wellbeing during the challenging pandemic period.

She said: "PE takes place indoors when it is raining and it is sometimes necessary for young people to return indoors if it begins raining during a PE session. This would also be true if it began to rain during a break or lunchtime and pupils may have slightly wet school uniform."

Mrs Hogg added that she would be happy to speak with parents who wish to discuss any aspects of the management of the current situation.

Government guidelines encourage pupils to wear their PE kit to school or at least on the days where PE is timetabled.

If this is not feasible, the government suggests staggered changing times or consider whether the activity planned requires pupils to be in PE kit. Regular cleaning of surfaces before and after use is also mentioned.