how would you feel about missed lessons for workshop?

[christine34]

Okay, DD (14) has been selected to take part in a series of workshops culminating in a performance at the end of May - is part of a French workshop - they'redoing a performance in French to other Yr 9 students - I am all for it as I feel it would do DD's confidence a lot of good and involves other things such as performance arts, sound recording and prop making - it's just that she will be missing (over the course of a month and a half) the equivalent of 6 whole school days work plus the odd hour here and there for rehearsals and workshops with staff from other schools etc. PLEASE don't get me wrong, I am all for it in principle, especially for her confidence and more importantly, she does want to do it (not strongly but does want to do it nevertheless) and as she is only 1 of 5 chosen from whole year group, feel that it has probably had a lot of thought put into who might enjoy/benefit get lots from it. My problem is that my husband thinks it's too much to miss and that my DD will feel pressured to catch up on a lot of work (I'm pretty sure they just expect them to check h/w for Maths and English, though)
, whereas I am more for her doing it for other things she might gain! Talk about a rock and a hard place! We have told DD that whatever she wants to do is fine with us, we will obviously support her either way. Bearing in mind this is year 9, would you be happy for your DC to miss so much? Thanks - need some other mums' views!! Thanks.

[amerryscot]

It sounds very enriching, and a few missed lessons over the course of her school life won't be that significant.

[christine34]

Thanks, amerryscot, that's what I think - I think I just need people to tell me that! Anyway, happiness and enjoyment count for a lot more than anything, don't you think? Slightly veering from the subject, but I was horrified to hear another mother tell her daughter the other day that if she passed all her exams, they'd take her away on holiday. We have always told our DD that we know she tries her best and her happiness is all that matters at the end of the day - we will go on holiday when she leaves regardless! So much pressure these days! [smil]

[nokissymum]

hi christine34, if dh is so worried about missed classes, why dont you ask your childs teacher how they will ensure dh will not miss out during here rehearsals etc, will they spend some time with her at the end of the production, or will she get some homework to help her catch up etc, its all well and good them nominating her as part of this special group but they have to have a strategy inplace to support her so she doesnt miss out on other crucial lessons, i'd be surprised if they didnt have a plan in place already : )

[amerryscot]

Just add, when we have our Year 11 leaving assembly, these are the kind of memories the pupils choose to share with the rest of school and their parents. They never cherish their lessons :). There is so much more to school than lessons, especially when they are not doing exam courses.

[Saracen]

Absolutely. I think she will learn far more from an unusual experience which is different from the style of lessons she usually gets.

[christine34]

Thanks, nokissy for post - am sure we will get some guidance.... and thanks amerry and saracen - I am really excited about this for DD..... thank you so much for your comments.... am just going to look forward to seeing DVD (hopefully) of performance and am excited for DD..... signing out!!

[cory]

No more serious in terms of missed work than a bout of flu- and a whole lot more enjoyable! Go for it!

[roisin]

Yes, go for it. She's probably been selected partly on the basis that her attendance is generally good and her progress in subjects is good. So in the school's opinion she can cope with this missed days.

Also they may well be scheduling the workshops so that they don't clash too heavily with maths/english/science. And presumably in summer she'll be dropping most of the other subjects anyway?

Don't forget that until recently a lot of yr9 was spent cramming for yr9 SATs in core subjects. Since these were scrapped there is more classroom time for more interesting opportunities like this one.

Go for it!

[christine34]

Thanks for comments, feel so much more happy about it now! Good point about SATs!

[Sportsmum]

I really wouldn't worry about a few missed lessons in year 9. It sounds like a very interesting and worthwhile project they're doing in French and will be very beneficial when she comes to doing her GCSE French. Depending on exam boards she could take her first modules in Feb of y10 and the language will be far more familiar to her.

Sounds like an excellent workshop and it's a pity more schools don't extend their pupils in this way.