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Hear! Hear! Great to hear a thoughtful voice of reason... Deborah Jarman >I rather think all this is more a consequence of how different parts >of modern society view 'weapons'. That is to say, that violence and >willful harm, perhaps even sadistic tendencies evoked by weapons, >their use and portrayal today is the reason many people do not, >understandably, want their children to use them even in play. > >However isn't there a question of education here? Swords, catapults, >bows and arrows through time have been used for hunting as well as >warfare. Knives were and indeed _are_ practical tools whose primary >purpose is not necessarily to mame or kill. Keeping kids away from >wooden or other toy versions will not enable them to learn how to be >responsible or what the dangers are if they are used wrongly. > >Schools who follow this kind of policy are doing a diservice to their >children and to the future of society of they constantly demonise >anything that could, possibly, be misconstrued, instead of providing a >real _education_ (as distinct from schooling). If children understood >better how 'weapons' were used in the past, how those societies used, >respected and understood them, they will be far more likely to view >such things with caution and responsibility. I worry about how this >kind of thing is fueling fear and it is through fear that >misunderstanding and misuse arise. > > >Tehmina > >2008/6/19 Stephen Allen <[log in to unmask]>: >> It's the sort of story which ends up in the Daily Mail under a 'Political >> Correctness Gone Mad!' headline. However, as a parent and if I was a >> teacher I wouldn't want my kid(s) buying crappy toy weapons…. >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. >> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sun Jester >> Sent: 19 June 2008 11:58 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Fw: Wooden weapons - schools instructed not to buy on site visits? >> >> >> >> Hi All >> >> I have asked a major wooden toy company who supply to English Heritage and >> many others for their view. This is their response. I am inclined to think >> that this is to do with individual school's decisions and not a general >> theme. >> >> Towse Harrison >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> From: Tymeagain Ltd, Historic Toys >> >> To: 'Sun Jester' >> >> Cc: [log in to unmask] >> >> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:21 AM >> >> Subject: RE: Wooden weapons - schools instructed not to buy on site visits? >> >> >> >> Hi >> >> The short answer is I do not know of any directive. >> >> >> >> The long answer is we have not heard any rumour from either the English >> Heritage Buyers or Historic Scotland's, The National Trust, Historic Royal >> Palaces or any of our many, many independent historic site customers. >> >> >> >> We have e-mail orders from schools all over the country every week of the >> year; this week has been no exception. We have built good relations with >> teachers all over Britain and they have said nothing about this matter. >> >> >> >> There are many Schools that have a 'no weapons' policy on School trips, many >> more have a 'no pocket money' policy or say "only bring a pound to spend". >> >> >> >> Throughout the whole of the UK we have not seen or heard of a lack of sales >> this year because parents are buying less toy weapons because they want to >> follow directives laid down by their child's school. This sort of rumour >> does the rounds every five years or so. >> >> >> >> As you have asked, you may pass on this e-mail to your colleges if you wish. >> >> >> >> All the best, >> >> >> >> Ben Jeal >> >> Director Tymeagain ltd. >> >> [log in to unmask] >> >> www.historictoys.co.uk >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: Sun Jester [mailto:[log in to unmask]] >> Sent: 17 June 2008 13:20 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Wooden weapons - schools instructed not to buy on site visits? >> >> >> >> Hi >> >> You may realise that I have just ordered some toys from you if my name is >> familiar. I work in museum and heritage education and have just received the >> following email ( pasted in below this message) via the e-list of The Group >> for Education in Museums. This is one of those classics that will make >> people panic unless/until they know the truth. As wooden weapons are your >> speciality (and I know that English Heritage sell them at their sites) are >> you aware of anything like this - or is it just the policy of an individual >> school. I would be happy to pass your comments back to the e-list if you >> would like. >> >> Many thanks >> >> Towse Harrison >> >> SUN JESTER >> Consultants for Lifelong Learning >> Historical Interpreters >> Community Artists >> 12 Ascott Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1HX >> Tel: 01296 423118 >> http://sun-jester.mysite.orange.co.uk/ >> "Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment >> doesn't know the first thing about either". - Herbert Marshall McLuhan >> 1911-1980 >> >> >> >> Original message: >> >> Dear GEM >> >> >> >> We have had the following report from one of our site staff and I was >> wondering if anyone else had heard of this? I have looked at the DCSF >> website and googled, but can't find anything. >> >> >> >> "After talking to a teacher I was informed that according to new school >> guidelines children on trips or at schools are not allowed to buy anything >> resembling weapons anymore AT ALL. This means that in future bows and arrows >> , swords, catapults wont be purchased by school groups. >> >> We have also noticed the trend of parents also following this as well, often >> overhearing the "no weapons" rule being told to children". >> >> >> >> Many thanks >> >> Lynne Minett >> >> Education Manager (North of England) >> >> English Heritage >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG. >> Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 270.4.0/1508 - Release Date: 18/06/2008 >> 21:08 >> >> National Museum of Flight Airshow, 26 July. Book now and save up to £10 per >> ticket. www.nms.ac.uk/airshow <http://www.nms.ac.uk/airshow> >> >> National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130 >> >> This communication is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the >> addressee please inform the sender and delete the email from your system. >> The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the >> author and do not necessarily reflect those of National Museums Scotland. >> This message is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of >> Information (Scotland) Act 2002. No liability is accepted for any harm that >> may be caused to your systems or data by this message. >> >> . > > > -- Deborah Jarman The Inspiration Exchange 18 Westwood Park Forest Hill London SE23 3QB Tel: 020 8699 5306 Mobile: 07973 856852 email: [log in to unmask]