Summer term 2019 music

i'm assuming it's a requirement because those grades give UCAS points - it's only for grade 6 and above (where points are awarded) so likely just to be a stipulation for anyone who is an awarding body for them - not because they think music students are specifically likely to be cheating. FWIW I had to provide photo ID for both my dds when applying for 11+ type exams, so I guess it's the norm. Have any of you read the book May Contain Nuts, where the mother takes exams for her daughter?

The culture of tiger parents is to teach kids the value of hard working to achieve the very best. So paying someone to do an exam would be completely opposite to their belief and it would be a great shame for the whole family!

My definition of tiger parents is different. IMO they least likely to employ someone to do their child's exam... Surely the parents of Tim Nice-But-Dim would be more likely to be guilty for buying good results/grades?

Fiddle I think you've hit the nail on the head re. tiger parents. And of course different cultures also have different attitudes to academic integrity. What I class as cheating is usual practice elsewhere.

Wow I’m shocked this would be required for ‘kids’ eg anything under say 16 but at the same time can understand tiger parents mights want to employ someone to do their child’s exam for them. Not something I think a child would be considering. But maybe i’m just naive ...

I don't know about school exams but I know at uni (certainly large uni's) you need to show ID. You can imagine in a massive exam hall with hundreds of students it's the only way invigilators can be sure the person doing the exam is the actual student. It wasn't unusual for people to send in subs, hence the need to check ID nowadays.

I didn’t know they had to show ID for student exams, I’m clearly very out of date! It’s not been mentioned by DDs school, but she’s only just finished year 9 so I guess we’re not quite there yet

We also received one of these leaflets with a certificate in the post today. I am also surprised that it’s only now being introduced. I remember taking DD’s passport along to her first exam as I just assumed they would ask for ID.

Not sure what children who don’t have a passport could show as photo ID though? Some secondary schools have lanyards with photo IDs I think?

It's not stressful at all if you pay one of those professional test takers to do the exam for you or write an essay for you. Happens absolutely everywhere - why do you think students have to show their ID in exam rooms? The stressful bit is whether you get caught or not.

apparently so! I would have thought the whole process was stressful enough without the added subterfuge of substituting your child for someone else’s.. the mind boggles!

Lotsof you'd be amazed at the lengths some people will go to.

I would have thought it wouldn’t be needed at a school where the teachers can identify the children.... but I suppose it’s not a bad idea for the privately taken exams. I’m shocked that people would cheat but I suppose it must have happened for them to bring in the new rules...

I wonder if that will apply to special visits in schools too?

To be honest I'm amazed they're only just introducing this. It's certainly not unknown for people to take exams on behalf of other people to get the grade they want. Obvs for things that require an audition it makes no difference because you still need to prove your playing ability but the higher level grades attract UCAS points plus some uni's don't audition and will simply look at the grade certificate as evidence. When in actual fact anyone could have sat that exam for you.

This is particularly rife in English language testing eg to gain entry to uni so a lot of security measures have had to be put in place to be sure that the person themselves took the test and not a mate or a professional test taker (some people make a good living doing this).

So for me I don't have a problem with it because I'd rather have a system that isn't so open to fraud.

Thoughts on this?

A good idea in principle?

Do your kids have photo ID?
Would you allow them to take their passports to school/exam centre?

Yup, we're the same Petra. DS struck gold with his teacher and he doesn't want (or need) to change. The opportunities that arise from having Saturdays free have really only hit home to me recently when DS did his NYO application and he had so many experiences to talk about.

Dd (also at procorda this week) refuses to contemplate jd as she won’t leave her teacher and has activities on Saturdays that she doesn’t want to give up!

mbell and be proud of yourself that you've raised an independent child! I have no worries about my DS leaving home to go to uni in a few years because he's so used to being away from home on residentials and tours. Yet another plus for having a musical child!

Thanks for all the encouraging advice Magnaconcordia and boyskeepswinging. Much more positive after all the nice responses here.

It will be very much down to DD. Yes, she’s Grade 6/7 but I didn’t want to set her up for inevitable failure! Really missing her this week but she’s so happy at Pro Corda, I need to be happy for her too

Also wanted to chip in to say all is not lost if she doesn't get into JD. By having his Saturdays free my DS has been able to explore a huge variety of musical opportunities. He's done a recording with the BBC, attended all sorts of workshops and played in loads of different ensembles. At age 14 he's got his first permanent seat in a semi pro adult ensemble. Couldn't have done any of that if his Saturdays were all at JD. Having said that I know a lot of kids absolutely love JD and get a lot out of it, I just wanted to demonstrate that not being at a JD can open up other opportunities. But very best of luck!

She is 12 and around grade 6 - 7? If so, I wouldn't say she is not at the expected standard. There are some very advanced children but not all are like that. I know a girl who just passed grade 5 in Year 6, for instance. Don't forget it also depends on the teachers' availability. Even if your DD is good enough if they don't have many free slots for new cellists they can't offer a place. So 'no' this year doesn't mean 'no' for any year. It's good to try as she is at the expected standard for her age.

Hey thanks Magnaconcordia!

She’s bursting with excitement about her music this week so who knows.

I suspect that she’s not at the expected standard presently but likely to work hard knowing she might be able to immerse herself in the music world of JDs!

Hello, mbell. No worry about grade. It's all about how you play and suitability to the course they offer. I saw quite a few children who weren't so advanced at the entry improved massively very quickly. So musicality and potential would be more important than attainment at the time of the audition, I believe. Once you are in, they usually expect you to be fully committed to their programme, so willingness and enthusiasm would also be what they look for. Your DD sounds a perfect candidate.

many thanks thirdfiddle

One of the JD parents has kindly PM'd me with some advice. The standard is very high but DD has been very inspired by these other children so she might want to put in the extra effort.

It's really nice to know she is enjoying her music once again after not the best year with current teacher.