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Original poster

School musical rehearsals - reasonable or not?

29 replies

webwiz · 03/12/2012 23:11

I understand that the music teacher wants DCs to make a commitment and stick to it but I'm losing patience with this already and the stupid thing isn't till July yes bloody July. Every Tuesday for ages after school and the only accepted reason for non attendance is that you were too ill to be in school that day.

DS got into trouble for not going last week and was told that "nothing is more important than rehearsals". The reason DS didn't go was that he was in the french department trying to catch up some of the preparation work for an upcoming controlled assessment that he's missed while he was ill. The french teacher could only stay late on a tuesday. DS did explain why he wasn't at the rehearsal but he still got roundly told off. Normally year 11's who have shown commitment and reliability in previous productions are cut a bit of slack when actual GCSE work has to be completed but obviously not with this teacher. And what is happening in these rehearsals that must never be missed? Watching the songs on youtube because the words haven't arrived yet Hmm

Rant over!

OP posts:
Original poster
webwiz · 04/12/2012 09:00

DS is staying on in the school sixth form and will come back in for rehearsals/ performance after exams in the summer. Usually there will be year 11s, 12s and 13s. DD2 was in the school musical in year 11 with quite a big part and it wasn't a problem at all. I don't remember anything like this it was a different teacher though.

Usually the musical is a joint venture between the music and drama department but the current drama teacher is leaving in January and so isn't involved at the moment. DS really wants to do it and is hoping that things will get better when the new drama teacher arrives - he does drama GCSE and has met her already.

I'm annoyed at the pressure being put on DS and I agree that there will be valid reasons why he can't go to rehearsals over the next 7 months. DS has just decided to take the teachers moaning on the chin but GCSEs will come first whatever.

OP posts:
radicalsubstitution · 04/12/2012 08:24

As a teacher I get very pissed off with my GCSE classes being disrupted with kids being taken out for extra curricular activities

Same here. As a teacher at a school with a 'strong musical tradition' I get really frustrated that, at certain times of year (like now), virtually the whole school grinds to a halt for rehearsals.

On pain of death we are not allowed to schedule anything important during two lunch breaks a week. Controlled assessments end up having to be extended, rescheduled and then extended again due to absentees 'missing out'.

It's worse than ever now as GCSE and A level assessments are so rigidly controlled. As a part-time teacher in a department with real timetable and rooming issues, it is sometimes damn near impossible for me to schedule in A level assessments at a time that suits everyone.

The kids get most pissed off about it as well - particularly the sixth formers who are put under incredible pressure by the music department to put their subject before everything.

Visualarts · 04/12/2012 08:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

noblegiraffe · 04/12/2012 08:06

If the production isn't till July, and DS is in Y11, then surely DS won't be in school for final rehearsals and the production?

As a teacher I get very pissed off with my GCSE classes being disrupted with kids being taken out for extra curricular activities. Some students' work do also suffer as a result. The kids are also knackered. I don't think it's appropriate to be making such a commitment in such an important year.

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