BRITISH SCHOOLS BANS STUDENTS FROM ROMANCE AND PHYSICAL CONTACT TO “KEEP CHILDREN SAFE”

Sun 15 January 2023:

According to a report, students at two schools in the United Kingdom have been banned from having any physical contact, including hugging and holding hands.

According to EssexLive, Hylands School in Chelmsford, Essex, said they also “do not allow” romantic relationships, and students who are caught using mobile phones could have them locked in a safe for the rest of the day.

As per a letter sent by assistant Headteacher Miss Catherine McMillan, seen by EssexLive, the secondary school administration does not tolerate “any physical contact” between members of the school community.

The school stated in the letter that “any aggressive physical contact, such as hugging, holding hands, slapping someone, etc.” are prohibited forms of physical contact.

Addressing the parents directly, the letter continued, “This is in order to keep your child safe.”

“If your child is touching somebody else, whether they are consenting or not, anything could happen. It could lead to an injury, make someone feel very uncomfortable, or result in someone being touched inappropriately.”

“While we want your children to make real positive friendships, hopefully lifelong ones, we don’t allow romantic relationships at Hylands.”

“Of course, your child can have these relationships outside of school with your permission.”

“We want your child to focus on their learning while in school, and we don’t want them to be distracted by relationship issues.”

“In your child’s personal development lessons, we learn about positive, healthy relationships, and your child can still talk to a trusted adult in school for advice and support if they need to.”

Maggie Callaghan, the executive headteacher for Hylands School, told BBC the school prioritized “wellbeing at all times” and that the “policies are designed to support our culture of mutual respect and inclusion, and our most recent policy has received positive feedback from parents and pupils alike.”

Administrators at Southchurch High School in Southend-on-Sea, a coastal city in England, similarly instructed parents that students were not to make contact, according to a letter provided by BBC and seen by Fox News.

“Students are not allowed to touch each other whilst on site,” the letter read.

Exceptions included performing arts classes, where students likely have to make contact during dances, sporting contests and physical education courses.

“This will help to create a calm and orderly atmosphere and ensure that there is no confusion about play fighting or anything more serious,” the letter continued.

Both schools have received positive feedback over the changes, according to BBC.

NEWS AGENCIES

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent