http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...oo-loudly.html
Children investigated for laughing too loudly
School pupils have been accused of laughing too loudly during playtime.
Council inspectors are investigating a Roman Catholic primary school after complaints about the noise levels.
Officials from a noise pollution team were brought in after neighbours claimed they were being confined inside their homes due to the "unbearable" screams of laughter from the youngsters.
Locals also complained about shouting by the school's sports teacher during games lessons at SS Osmund and Andrew's Primary School in Breightmet, near Bolton, Greater Manchester. One described it as a "monotone bellowing".
Nearly 150 people who live near the 384 pupil school which aims to "nurture the Christian values of love and respect for others" have signed a petition demanding that Bolton Council takes steps to reduce the noise.
investigators have now caried out noises assessment tests to see if the levels of laughing exceed tolerable limits recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Headmaster John Thorpe said his school took all possible steps to be a good neighbour and he had changed the sound of the school bell in a bid to appease the neighbours who have also complained about footballs being kicked against the playground's mesh fence.
He said: "Children have to be educated somewhere and there are obvious good reasons why it should take place in residential areas.
"Bearing that in mind, it is inevitable that there will be a range of different responses to that from residents.
"We have always adopted a good neighbour policy and done whatever we can to mitigate disturbances.
"Some people will say that the sound of children laughing and playing together can be quite uplifting.
"As a teacher, I think it's good to hear children running around and thoroughly enjoying their lives."
But neighbour Bill Disley whose house is only a few yards away from the school playground, said: "The noise is unbearable.
"People always say 'oh, well kids have got to make noise'. I've got six grandchildren and I know kids make noise, but this is unbearable.
"We can't sit outside now, we can't open doors and windows. The neighbours feel exactly the same way."
The neighbours said the noise problem started in 2007, when the old Moss primary school was extended and merged with two other schools, St Andrew's and St Osmund's.
The site went from housing only a handful of pupils to having more than 380, as well as a nursery. Mr Disley has now spent more than £5,000 trying to block the noise out from his property and hiring expert consultants to measure noise levels.
Another neighbour, Margaret Holloway, 63, said: "It's a big problem. The kids literally scream at the top of their voices and the sports teacher has a very annoying voice.
"You can't have your windows open, which is unbearable in the hot weather.
A Bolton council spokesman said: "We have listened to the concerns of Mr Disley and sympathise with his situation.
"The council's pollution control unit has carried out several noise assessments at his property and while we understand the noise is annoying to the individual, it does not constitute a statutory noise nuisance.
"A report on the situation is due to be considered later this month."
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Must be some sort of joke?
Children investigated for laughing too loudly
School pupils have been accused of laughing too loudly during playtime.
Council inspectors are investigating a Roman Catholic primary school after complaints about the noise levels.
Officials from a noise pollution team were brought in after neighbours claimed they were being confined inside their homes due to the "unbearable" screams of laughter from the youngsters.
Locals also complained about shouting by the school's sports teacher during games lessons at SS Osmund and Andrew's Primary School in Breightmet, near Bolton, Greater Manchester. One described it as a "monotone bellowing".
Nearly 150 people who live near the 384 pupil school which aims to "nurture the Christian values of love and respect for others" have signed a petition demanding that Bolton Council takes steps to reduce the noise.
investigators have now caried out noises assessment tests to see if the levels of laughing exceed tolerable limits recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Headmaster John Thorpe said his school took all possible steps to be a good neighbour and he had changed the sound of the school bell in a bid to appease the neighbours who have also complained about footballs being kicked against the playground's mesh fence.
He said: "Children have to be educated somewhere and there are obvious good reasons why it should take place in residential areas.
"Bearing that in mind, it is inevitable that there will be a range of different responses to that from residents.
"We have always adopted a good neighbour policy and done whatever we can to mitigate disturbances.
"Some people will say that the sound of children laughing and playing together can be quite uplifting.
"As a teacher, I think it's good to hear children running around and thoroughly enjoying their lives."
But neighbour Bill Disley whose house is only a few yards away from the school playground, said: "The noise is unbearable.
"People always say 'oh, well kids have got to make noise'. I've got six grandchildren and I know kids make noise, but this is unbearable.
"We can't sit outside now, we can't open doors and windows. The neighbours feel exactly the same way."
The neighbours said the noise problem started in 2007, when the old Moss primary school was extended and merged with two other schools, St Andrew's and St Osmund's.
The site went from housing only a handful of pupils to having more than 380, as well as a nursery. Mr Disley has now spent more than £5,000 trying to block the noise out from his property and hiring expert consultants to measure noise levels.
Another neighbour, Margaret Holloway, 63, said: "It's a big problem. The kids literally scream at the top of their voices and the sports teacher has a very annoying voice.
"You can't have your windows open, which is unbearable in the hot weather.
A Bolton council spokesman said: "We have listened to the concerns of Mr Disley and sympathise with his situation.
"The council's pollution control unit has carried out several noise assessments at his property and while we understand the noise is annoying to the individual, it does not constitute a statutory noise nuisance.
"A report on the situation is due to be considered later this month."
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Must be some sort of joke?
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