My child was given a head start on Sports Day, parents say it was 'unfair'

The mum of a girl with special needs has hit back at critics who said she was given an 'advantage' over other students.

What’s a school sports day without a few parents taking the whole thing way too seriously?

They’ll unleash their overzealous cheers and awkwardly run alongside their little ones, showing no limits to their competitive trackside antics.

But one parent has taken things to a whole new level when they complained to the school about a child with special needs getting a head start in one of the races.

Apparently, they thought it was an “unfair advantage.”

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A parent complained about an 'unfair advantage'

Posting to Mumsnet, the mother of the girl vented her frustrations and shared her worries about the consequences of the complaint. 

“My daughter is eight and has special needs including dyspraxia,” the post begins, referencing the condition that affects movement and coordination. 

Ahead of Sports Day, the girls’ school advised her parents that she didn’t have to participate, however, the primary schooler insisted. 

The school then organised adjustments that allowed her to join in on the events, including headstarts and assistance during the races.  

“Someone has complained about the sack race and how my child had an unfair advantage,” the mum continued.

“She started roughly halfway along the track in her sack, had help to get in from staff (which the others didn’t) and then was picked up when she fell over while doing it whereas the others had to get themselves to their feet.

“She also fell through the finish ribbon thing onto the grass and had to be helped out.”

Despite all of the adjustments, the girl still finished last “by about two minutes” and also came last in every other race that day. 

A parent complained about the 'unfair advantage' her daughter had. Image: IStock

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The complaining parent likely knew about the girls' condition

Nonetheless, one parent felt compelled to question the school about the girls’ race modifications. 

The mum explained: “Someone complained to the school about her starting in a different place and giving her an unfair advantage even though my child came last. Apparently starting halfway along the track was an advantage.”

The school then told the girls’ mum about the complaint and asked permission to share the reason behind the adjustments with the board so that they could make an assessment about whether or not they were reasonable. 

“My [daughter] struggles enough as it is, just being upright is hard for her and now someone is complaining. She was thrilled to even finish the sack race, she doesn’t care where she placed!” the mum said.

To make matters worse, the OP believes that the parent actually already knew why her daughter was given the ‘advantage’, as their kids are in the same class and the teacher had informed the parents about her condition. 

"It's an eight-year-old's sack race"

Luckily, the Mumsnet community came out in full force to support the mum. “She’s being a pr**k, she needs to learn the difference between equality and fairness. Reasonable adjustments are to ensure your child is not disadvantaged, nothing wrong with that,” said one popular comment.

Another read: “'It's a kids' Sports Day, not 100m with Usain Bolt,” while a different reply pointed out, “It’s an eight-year-old's sack race for God’s sake.”

Then this user remarked, “How nasty, I really hope the parent is told in no uncertain terms by the school to wind their neck in.”

“I’m not usually shocked by the behaviour of other parents but that is f**king awful, I’m so sorry you have to deal with this OP,” a different person responded.

As this mum navigates the situation at her daughter's school, let's not forget that every kid, no matter their abilities should always get a shot at joining in, feeling the excitement of competing and knowing they have the backing of their school community. 

Originally published as My child was given a head start on Sports Day, parents say it was 'unfair'