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Original poster

Music GCSE

33 replies

Abicot · 15/09/2023 08:32

Hi, my DS goes to an independent school and this school year he will sit the GCSE in music.
He plays violin at grade 7 standard.
The school does not provide the accompaniment for the performance exam and I was requested to provide one myself at my own expenses.
I think that if the school is offering this subject they should also be responsible to provide all the resources to complete the exam in the best possible way. Shouldn't this be included in the annual fee I am already paying?

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 15/09/2023 09:42

Who accompanied him at his grade exams and at performances?

CurlewKate · 15/09/2023 09:39

Well, I didn't have to pay for an accompanist at our state school! Yes of course the school should provide one- but it's a private school. It can do anything it wants.

Drfosters · 15/09/2023 09:38

At my daughter’s school the music teacher does it I believe but I guess I wouldn’t have complained if I had to pay. I’ve had to buy all sort of things for various creative subjects. But does seem a bit odd that a music teacher would not be doing it.

BadSkiingMum · 15/09/2023 09:08

I’m surprised that their music teacher isn’t accompanying them, but perhaps they play another instrument and cannot play the piano at the necessary level?

On the other hand, many subjects will require some additional expense once you get to the exam years eg. materials for art or textiles. So I think you probably have to accept it.

Maxus · 15/09/2023 09:02

It's provided at my child's school which is a state school.

Foxesandsquirrels · 15/09/2023 09:01

Do they not have a music teacher that plays piano?! That seems absurd.

Ozziedream · 15/09/2023 08:58

Depends on the independent School. One of my DS goes to one with higher fees and they have an accompanist on staff. Literally just does piano accompaniments for trinity/abrsm exams, performances, concerts and gcse and a levels. Other ds is at independent school where fees 20% lower. We don’t get the bells and whistles like an accompanist on site!

so to answer your question I think it depends on how much the fees are!

MarchingFrogs · 15/09/2023 08:52

If it's an independent school, it can include / not include whatever it likes in the fees.

When your DS started the GCSE course, were you told that the accompanist would be provided without an extra charge / told that there would be a charge / given no information at all?

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