I am so angry!

[KateEllis]

At the end of September my DD (age 7) was cast as Cinderella in the school panto. The school takes these things VERY seriously so they have had lots of after school sessions etc. I was very pleased for my daughter because she was so excited (please note I did not care about her having a lead role, I just want her to be happy). She has had loads of lines to learn but has been brilliant and learnt them all, on top of learning two solo songs and 4 other songs and attended every after school rehersal. I had also made one of her costumes and bought another. The panto was due to be next friday, then the falling monday and tuesday.

However today this happened. I was waiting in the yard to collect her and her younger sister, when she came out of school I could see it looked like she was on the verge of tears, I asked her what was wrong and she said 'I'm not Cinderella anymore'.
At first my initial thought was, as she was ill yesterday mybe somebody covered for her and she was a bit confused. I asked this but she insisted the part had been given to another little girl.
Her teacher was in the yard so I went over to speak to her.
I just said dd is a bit upset because she thinks she is no longer playing cinderella.
Her teacher said "That's right she isn't"
I asked why and she said
"Well she was off yesterday, and I expect people who are given big parts to show a commitment. It is also to show her that good attendance is a must"
Yesterday was the first day my daughter has had off this year!!!!!!
She also said she has given another girl the part and now this little girl has to learn everything by next friday which just seems impossible for a 7 yo, and as I said the school will expect this girl to learn all the lines as they take drama productions extremely seriously.

My daughter is so upset and I am so angry, up until today her teacher and others have been coming up to me in the yard and saying how great she is doing now they have completely devastated her after all the effort she has put in. She now has no part at all, as its a whole school production all parts are taken up.

I am so angry and upset for my poor daughter who hasn't stopped crying

Dying to hear what happened.

OK - I haven't read all the thread BUT I am a school governor and yes, I would be interested to hear of this and yes, I would support you against the Head (these people are not God, FFS - although sometimes you'd wonder..) YANBU. Give your daughter a hug from all us mumsnetters..

No word yet? I've been thinking about this all day! Hope it's all been sorted out.

This is horrifying stuff. Private or state it doesn't matter. Kids shouldn't have to deal with this shit until much later in life.
Lets teach our kids that hard work and enthusiasm get you absolutely nowhere! Bloody brilliant life lesson school... thanks for that!
Here's hoping you get your daughter back in her role and give the head what for! I'm behind everyone who says don't meet with the other girls parents... they are NOT your problem.

I wanted to add my support here too, if you do go to the press make sure they read this thread, the might of Mumsnet unites!!

Some of the comments made are very valid, do take in a recording device, do have a list of points/questions so you don't forget your logic in the heat of discussion and do not let them get away with this!!!

I've just seen this and feel extremely and on your behalf.

What a terrible way for the school to behave. I'm so glad you're not going to let it go. Even if you don't get the outcome you want your dd will learn that you and your DH are more than prepared to fight her corner, and hopefully the school will learn that many parents are NOT pushovers

Really hope your meeting goes well, and you kick their butt!

Hope your meeting is going okay. SSadly it does seem like a money talks situation.

Has your DD said aything about how Cinders2 is taking it? IS she at the playground and can you tell yourself? If she's nervous/unhappy that will play into your hands.

and my place

Depend on it - there will be a new swimming pool at this school in the summer!

Unless the Cinders 1 is reinstated of course, in which case Cinders 2 and her parents will walk, taking teh library they donated last year with them.

marking my place too.

Just unbelievable behaviour. Some teachers should never be allowed anywhere near children!

Any news?

Hope meeting went well op. Any update yet?

Libelulle - You're right some teachers should not be allowed near children. This particular teacher is like one of those cruel ones from a Dickens novel, or Bronte's Jane Eyre.

SCARY!!

.

Another one marking her place.

Marking my place too! Wouldn't be surprised to see Matthew Wright talking about this tomorrow. It's a shocking way to treat a child.

I hope the meeting went well.
If not , Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 might well be interested in the story. He would present it very tastefully

How cruel.

Your poor DD, hope the meeting went well.

.

(Rooting for Cinders 1).

For a bit of balance...

IF it was the day of the dress rehearsal, and the performance was imminent, I MIGHT understand why a stressed out teacher would award the part to someone else, but, in this case... er, it's all loony.

Will Cinders go to the ball? ..................

Or, IF Cinders2 had just been diagnosed with something awful (God forbid) and this was her last chance at a starring role, but, even so...

Or, IF the teacher hadn't taken her tablets this morning...

Actually, it sounds like it's out of a Roald, Dahl story...