School Bans Students From Physical Contact To Prevent Them From Having Relationships

A high school in the UK has outlawed all forms of physical contact and romantic relationships between students.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, Hylands School in Chelmsford sent out a letter to parents alerting them that they will strictly enforce a ban on any physical contact between students.

In a letter to parents that was received by BBC News, associate headteacher Miss Catherine McMillan states that the school would not tolerate any "aggressive physical contact," such as "hugging" or "holding hands."

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The letter adds: “This is in order to keep your child safe. If your child is touching somebody else, whether they are consenting or not, anything could happen.”

"It could lead to an injury, make someone feel very uncomfortable, or someone being touched inappropriately.”

According to Yahoo News, the no touching rule was put in place to stop students from developing romantic relationships, which are categorically prohibited at the school.

Credit: Hylands School

Additionally, mobile phone use by kids is now prohibited at school. Teachers will lock it in a safe if they are discovered, and the student may only reclaim it at the end of the school day.

According to a parent who spoke with Essex Live, the new restrictions weren't disclosed to them until the letter was delivered on January 9.

Instead, their child informed them ahead of time.

Credit: Hylands School

The parent, who didn’t want to be named, told the outlet: "I couldn't believe it. In this day and age, I agree that inappropriate touching - hitting and punching - of course, has to be dealt with. But they're not teaching students how to have a healthy relationship.”

"The inference is that you can't touch anyone, children won't know what is or isn't appropriate, and the ability to empathize with their peers is being taken away.”

"I have a daughter and her and her friends greet each other with a hug, but if they do that now they'll [face being] put into isolation."

According to Hylands School executive headteacher Maggie Callaghan, who spoke to the BBC: "All our policies are designed to support our culture of mutual respect and inclusion, and our most recent policy has received positive feedback from parents and pupils alike."

The new regulations follow the ban on physical contact at another Essex school.

Students are not permitted to touch each other while on campus, acting deputy head teacher Ms. Murray informed parents in a letter from Southchurch High School.

The only exemption would be for students doing performing arts or physical education classes.

Murray adds: “This will help to create a calm and orderly atmosphere and ensure that there is no confusion about play fighting or anything more serious.”

Tracy Airoll, deputy head teacher at Southchurch High School, told BBC that the new laws were met with an "overwhelmingly positive response" from parents.