We are a small group of mums who have recently come together to start a petition. We want North Ayrshire Council to review their policy on letting pupils take part in weekly physical education, with pierced ears, providing they are covered with tape to minimise risk of injury. 

The reason that the pupils are not allowed to take part in PE with earrings in, is that there is risk of injury based on a previous incidents in the community. The use of tape to cover the earrings will not be considered. 

The recommended healing period once ears are pierced is around 6-8 weeks. However from personal experiences we have found that our children are not ready to remove the earrings at the end of the recommended healing period. 

As a result pupils are being excluded from physical education on a weekly basis whilst they are unable to take their earrings out. 

From pre-school age, education settings  are starting to promote a play based learning style. One of the promoted benefits is as follows:

“Learning through games engages children in academic learning using games with predetermined rules.”

From day to say, the children are not excluded from play based learning even though they are participating in games, nor are they excluded from running around in the playground with their friends during break times each day. During these times they are facing the same risks that they would be during their scheduled physical education. 

We respect that schools are adhering to a policy outlined by North Ayrshire council but we acknowledge that pupils are being excluded from activities unnecessarily which is impacting on their social and physical education skills. 

We would love your support in requesting that North Ayrshire review their policies on pupil’s participation in physical education with pierced ears at school, providing they have signed consent from parents and preventative measures have been taken against injury, eg covering piercing with tape.

Thank you for reading!

4 BPS Mums x