Parents use iPads to film sports day – and challenge the results!

A HEADTEACHER has rebuked pushy parents who insist on filming sports days just so they can challenge the results.

In the latest example of ultra-competitive parenting, mothers and fathers of children at a primary school in Cardiff used their iPads to film their children competing in races, jumping events and throwing contests.

Those dissatisfied with their child’s performance or placing in the competitions have brought the video ‘evidence’ into school to try to encourage teachers to change the results.

Their petty behaviour has led Sian Evans, head at Mynydd Bychan primary school in Cathays, Cardiff, to issue a strongly-worded letter insisting: ‘The teacher’s word is final.’

Mrs Evans wrote to the school’s 200 parents: ‘The members of staff at the finish line, and nobody else, have the absolute final say and as to the first, second and third place positions.

‘Unfortunately, during the last few years parents have approached members of staff with evidence that they had filmed on electronic devices such as iPads in order to prove that their child should have been awarded a higher position in a particular race and comments also appeared on Facebook.

‘If this happens again, there is a strong possibility that we will have to consider changing the competitive nature of our sports morning.

‘The arrangements for the smooth running of the morning are very tight. Members of staff work hard in various ways during the morning.’

The Welsh language school in Cardiff has 200 children and holds its sports day at the giant National Indoor Athletics Centre in the city.

The behaviour of parents at sports events involving their offspring has been of increasing concern in recent years.

Mothers and fathers wanting to brag about their children’s achievements on social media have sought to challenge teachers’ decisions, leading to ugly clashes at the school gates.

In 2016, parents were banned from shouting at junior football matches in Hampshire. The decision was made following a series of punch-ups between adults on the touchlines of football matches.

In the same year, the chairman of the Surrey Youth League had to write to clubs following a series of clashes between parents, referees and linesmen.

The action prompted complaints that well-intentioned parents who shout positive and encouraging remarks were being discriminated against.

‘Approached staff with evidence’