Key Points
- Parents in the London borough of Merton have been banned from attending school sports events during school hours due to disruptive and abusive behaviour.
- The Merton School Sport Partnership (MSSP), which organises events for over 40 primary schools, issued the ban following incidents of parents shouting abuse, interfering with races, and confronting officials.
- As reported by Nicola Ryan, director of MSSP, the decision was made to ensure the safety and welfare of children, who were under excessive pressure to win “at all costs”.
- Specific misconduct included cutting across finish lines, photographing children without consent, and verbally abusing student officials and other children.
- The ban applies to all in-school sports events, including football, hockey, and gymnastics, though parents may still attend weekend or public events not managed by MSSP.
- The policy shift reflects growing national concern over parental conduct at school events, with schools increasingly prioritising child wellbeing over parental presence.
- Legal frameworks on school exclusions do not apply to parents, meaning the ban is an administrative decision rather than a formal exclusion under the Education Act 2002.
Why have parents been banned from school sports events in Merton?
Parents across the London borough of Merton have been formally excluded from attending school sports days and other in-school athletic events due to a surge in disruptive and aggressive behaviour. The Merton School Sport Partnership (MSSP), which coordinates physical education and competitive sports for more than 40 primary schools in the area, announced the decision in a formal letter to schools and families on October 13, 2025.
As reported by The Telegraph, the ban was implemented after repeated incidents of parents shouting abuse at student officials, interfering with races by crossing finish lines, and creating a high-pressure environment that undermined the spirit of school sports. The decision, described as “not taken lightly,” was framed as essential for the safety and emotional wellbeing of children participating in events.
What specific behaviours led to the ban?
According to internal communications obtained by Yahoo News UK, examples of misconduct included parents physically impeding runners by cutting across tracks, verbally abusing young referees—often secondary school students—and confronting event organisers over scoring decisions. Some parents were also accused of posting images of other children on social media without consent, raising safeguarding concerns.
As reported by The Times and cited by The Express, Nicola Ryan, director of the Merton School Sport Partnership, stated that the conduct had created a “stressful environment” for pupils, many of whom felt compelled to win “at all costs” due to parental pressure.
“We’ve seen parents argue with officials, disrupt events, and even try to influence outcomes to benefit their own children,” Ryan said.
One incident involved a parent allegedly pushing past marshals to retrieve their child immediately after a race, disregarding safety protocols. Another saw a group of parents shouting at a 14-year-old student volunteer who was officiating a relay event, prompting the teenager to leave in tears.
How is the Merton School Sport Partnership responding?
The MSSP has formally notified all affiliated schools that parents will no longer be permitted to attend sports events held during school hours. This includes inter-school competitions in football, hockey, gymnastics, and athletics. The policy does not extend to weekend events or those held in public parks, which are not under MSSP management.
In a statement, the partnership said:
“We hope you will appreciate that our decision is in the best interest and for the safety and welfare of all the children taking part”.
The letter acknowledged the disappointment some families may feel but stressed that the primary duty is to protect pupils from harmful adult behaviour.
The MSSP has also launched a review of its event protocols, including increased supervision and clearer communication of behavioural expectations for spectators. While no formal appeals process exists for parents, schools have been advised to engage with families individually to explain the rationale behind the decision.
Are other schools in the UK taking similar action?
While the Merton ban is among the most comprehensive, it reflects a broader trend of schools re-evaluating parental access to school events. In 2023, a primary school in Essex restricted parent attendance at sports days after similar incidents of misconduct, opting instead for live-streamed events.
Legal guidance from the Department for Education confirms that while schools can exclude pupils under the Education Act 2002, there is no statutory framework governing parental access to school premises. This means decisions like Merton’s are administrative and fall under the discretion of school partnerships or governing bodies.
Child law experts at ChildLawAdvice.org.uk note that while parents have a right to be informed about their child’s education, they do not have an automatic right to attend school-organised events.
“Schools can set reasonable conditions for attendance, including banning individuals whose behaviour poses a risk to others,”
a spokesperson said.
What has been the public and parental reaction?
Reactions have been mixed. Some parents have expressed support, acknowledging that excessive competitiveness has undermined the purpose of school sports.
“It’s meant to be fun and inclusive, not a battleground,”
said one mother from Mitcham, speaking to The Standard.
Others have criticised the blanket ban, arguing it penalises well-behaved families.
“I’ve never seen anything like the behaviour they’re describing, and now we’re all being punished,”
said a father from Wimbledon. Some have suggested alternatives, such as designated spectator zones or mandatory conduct agreements.
Local councillors have called for a review, with Cllr Susan Scrimshaw of Merton Council stating:
“While we support safeguarding children, we must also ensure parents aren’t unfairly excluded from their children’s school lives”.
What does this mean for the future of school sports?
The Merton decision highlights a growing tension between parental involvement and child protection in educational settings. With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recent pledge to revitalise school sports across England, the incident underscores the need for clear national guidelines on spectator conduct.
Experts suggest that schools may increasingly adopt codes of conduct for parents, similar to those used in youth sports leagues. Digital alternatives, such as live streaming or recorded events, could also become more common to balance inclusion with safety.
For now, the Merton School Sport Partnership remains firm. As Nicola Ryan concluded:
“Our priority is the children. If that means difficult decisions, then we will make them”.
