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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Dd stopped from being in end of school show due to hsving to leave rehearsals slightly early

44 replies

Ledkr · 30/04/2013 08:00

Hi all I posted before about dd and her end of school show.
She has a very small part no lines on stage in the first scene then no more.
Dd does dancing which she loves and is good at. Her classes are on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The school show is a big occasion and the main marker for the leavers. They anticipate it all yr and look forward to it.
The school pride themselves on all the chikdren being involved.
So the rehearsals have been set for tues and wed 3-5
I asked if I could collect her fifteen mins early so she could go to dancing as she has exams and a big show coming up.
The school have been totally unmoving and said if she can't do the entire two hrs she can't be in the show Shock
I am leaving work early to pick her up and race her across to her class while she eats. She is always late.
This is for the one rehearsal she has done so far during which she sat down and watched other people rehearse.
I pay a lot for her lessons but it is entirely her choice not to want to miss dancing.
The show will run for a whole week they all get a t shirt and its very much the "leavers celebration"
I think the school are being petty and cruel in excluding her from the show for the sake of fifteen minutes.
I can't imagine for such a small part fifteenths will make this much difference

OP posts:
seeker · 30/04/2013 09:21

Presumably it's only for a couple of weeks? I would take her to dancing 15 minutes late.

Sorted.

TheDoctrineOfSnatch · 30/04/2013 09:17

Is there a compromise eg a non speaking part, helping with the lighting so she'd only need to be at the later rehearsals etc?

Maryz · 30/04/2013 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Startail · 30/04/2013 09:14

Is this a private school?

I cannot imagine our state school expecting 100% attendance 3-5pm, Everyone does things.

freddiemisagreatshag · 30/04/2013 09:07

If it's not fair for dancing, it's not really fair for the school show either though is it? I can see the school's point, I think they're making a petty example of your DD but I can see their point.

Especially if you come across with the attitude that she's been in loads of shows so she knows what she's doing. That would probably get up their nose a bit tbh

Original poster
Ledkr · 30/04/2013 09:03

Yes freddy I did know they did it but wasn't aware that it would be twice a week after school and both days on the only days she dances.
What difference it would make tho I don't know.
She can't dip in and out of dancing at the level she's at as its not fair on the other kids.

OP posts:
freddiemisagreatshag · 30/04/2013 09:03

But Ledkr, she hasn't been in that show.

Original poster
Ledkr · 30/04/2013 09:00

If she couldn't rehearse at all then I could understand it. But fifteen minutes. She's been in loads of shows so she has experience too.
I really can't be bothered to argue. I might take her away that week for a little holiday. Grin

OP posts:
freddiemisagreatshag · 30/04/2013 08:43

Does the school do this EVERY year? As in, you knew last year/in Sept/whenever that there would be a school production and that it would involve 2 days after school?

KirstyJC · 30/04/2013 08:42

I think they are being really harsh - this isn't something in school time, it is after school has finished. Not every child will be able to stay on at school for an additional 2 hours twice a week and it seems completely over the top to punish her for not being able to stay after school.

Have you spoken to the school governors? Is this a school policy ie has it ever happened before, either that a child missed the play because they couldn't rehearse, or that they were allowed to be in it despite not rehearsing? If a precedent has been set it might be harder to change or challenge it.

Seems like they are punishing her for having to do something after school. I wonder if people would accept having to stay on at work, for free, for 2 hours twice a week in order to do something which work wanted them to do? I know I wouldn't.

Original poster
Ledkr · 30/04/2013 08:35

Pretty much what you've said northern is what the head has said so I guess I've got no case but I think they fail to see how difficult it is for dd to simply not go to dancing (dance teachers are quite scary) from my point of view it's like just chucking a hundred quid out of the window.
She dances in a group competition so would be letting the other kids down there too.
As the show is such a big event I think the school could reach a small compromise.
It will mean that her last few weeks if school will be simply sitting around while the other 90 kids prepare for and put on a show.
Seems a bit inflexible to me.

OP posts:
NorthernLurker · 30/04/2013 08:21

15 minutes from every rehearsal is quite a lot of time and will disrupt the whole group as you appear and dd gets her stuff and leaves. Rehearsals need to be carefully structured and if people dip in and out it's impossible. Plenty of your dd's classmates will also have after school commitments. What if they all want to leave 15 minutes early? You'll quickly end up with less actual rehearsal time. The school are making a statement about the commitment needed. If your dd isn't committed she can't be in the show.

freddiemisagreatshag · 30/04/2013 08:13

But yes, ultimately, if they don't move on it, I agree with LIZS it'll be a hard lesson for your DD in choices and consequences.

LIZS · 30/04/2013 08:10

and if they are immoveable it is an early , if harsh, lesson for your dd to learn in making choices and commitment. What would she prefer to do ? You can't do everything and what will happen when she ahs a longer school day at her next school.

Caitycat · 30/04/2013 08:08

Totally ridiculous, I can see why they might have had problems with her in a main part but definitely not the way you've described it. Could you write to the head copied to chair of governors pointing out that if the main leavers event is after school then there needs to be some accommodation for pre-existing commitments?

freddiemisagreatshag · 30/04/2013 08:07

I posted on your last thread. As you may remember, we disagreed Grin. However, in this case I think the school are being petty and using the play to make a point.

LIZS · 30/04/2013 08:05

Agree with you. Would they notice if she wasn't there ?

sweetiepie1979 · 30/04/2013 08:04

So speak to the school, there might be more to it than you realise. If not then tes they are been unreasonable. Ask if they have a rehearsal schedule and can you see it they should have one. Then if they are not using your daughter she shouldn't be at rehearsal you realise toward performance all cast should be there but mat this rehearsal time if she's. It been used she shouldn't be there. Speak to head of drama/headmaster etc good luck

ZZZenagain · 30/04/2013 08:02

I agree with you. Odd.