The safety of students during PE activities is of paramount importance. Earrings and other jewelry present a risk of injury to the wearer and others during physical activities. This policy minimizes such risks while respecting individual choices and school uniform requirements.

Expectations on earrings

• Earring removal: Students must remove earrings before participating in any PE activity. This applies to all types of earrings, including studs, hoops, and other ear piercings.

• Exceptions: In the case of newly pierced ears or medical circumstances where the earrings cannot be removed for a specified period (typically six weeks for freshly pierced ears), students must provide a written note or email from a parent, guardian, or doctor. During this period, the following interventions will take place to minimize risk:

• Alternative earring: If earrings cannot be removed, students should try to ensure they use retainers, which are flat studs that retain the piercing, or small studs that reduce damage if a blow or ball hits the side of the head.

• Taping: Students must cover their earrings with medical tape or plasters. The tape should be applied securely by the student or under supervision before the start of the PE lesson. Staff are not required to apply tape for students and, for younger students, this should be done at home.

• Limited participation: Depending on the activity and the risk assessment conducted by the PE teacher for the lesson, students' participation in certain activities will be adapted suitably to help minimize risk based on whether the ears are taped or not.

Responsibility of students and parents

Students: The students are responsible for ensuring that earrings are removed or taped before PE lessons. Students should arrive at PE lessons prepared, with earrings removed or taped appropriately.

Parents/guardians: Parents are encouraged to plan ear piercings during holidays to allow the healing period to pass without affecting PE participation. Parents should inform the School and PE department in writing if their child has newly pierced ears or any medical condition linked to earrings and will need to tape them during PE lessons.

Teacher’s role and enforcement

Safety checks: PE teachers will conduct a visual check at the start of each lesson to ensure compliance with the earring policy. If a student is found to be wearing earrings that are not taped or removed, they will only be allowed to participate in adapted PE activities.

Jewelry:

All jewelry and watches, including fitness trackers, must be removed for all lessons.

Footwear:

As with any activity, footwear and clothing must be considered and deemed appropriate. All participants (including staff) must wear items of clothing and footwear that are fit for purpose. Clean, non-marking trainers for indoors and Astros or molded cleats for outside. Slip-on trainers or fashion trainers, such as Converse, are not acceptable due to their lack of ankle support. Parkour will mainly be barefoot.

Hair:

Long hair worn by staff and students must be tied back with a suitably soft item to prevent entanglement in the apparatus and to prevent vision from being obscured. Hair below the jawline is deemed long and, therefore, will need to be tied up.

Nails:

Nails for staff and students need to be sufficiently short to prevent injury to self and others. False nails or acrylic nails must not be worn at any time. These can cause serious injury to self and others and can not be worn for PE. All finger nails should not be longer than the tip of the finger.

Non-participation/injured students:

Students are expected to take part in all lessons. If a student is injured or unable to physically participate, they must have a note from a doctor and/or from the TASIS England Health and Well-being Center. If this is the case, students will be given alternative roles within the lessons for the duration of their recovery so they are still engaged and involved with the class. Non-participation in PE will also result in non-participation in sports teams and/or co-curricular activities on the days students miss PE lessons. Students must still attend in their TASIS England PE kit on the day of their lesson.

First aid/concussion:

If a student gets injured while in class, they will be sent/escorted to the Health and Well-being Center to get checked out. In case of a face or head injury, they will be removed from the activity immediately and escorted to the Health and Well-being Center. Students who sustain a concussion must complete the Gradual Return to Play Protocol.

Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. Bailey directly.

Email: cbailey@tasisengland.org

Phone: 01932 582349