The Telegraph – Martin Evans
“Children should not be wrapped in cotton wool and must be allowed to play, fall over and hurt themselves, the head of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has insisted. Despite the organisation’s reputation for promoting a risk-averse society, the chairman of the HSE, Judith Hackett, said it was not good for society to overprotect young people. In the past, schools have outlawed a wide range of children’s games on health and safety grounds, much to the frustration of parents, who feel their children are missing out on important learning experiences. In a study almost one in six teachers claimed their institution had banned children from playing conkers, with one school claiming it was to protect youngsters with nut allergies.”(more)