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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel annoyed that dc's school won't let them have time off to do modelling?

145 replies

Lionelvinyl · 03/03/2011 09:36

I asked in advance if we could have some time off in April (2 days) and June (2 days)

I was told that it wouldn't be a problem because I had asked so far in advance/it wasn't for very long/my dc's attendance is very good and they are not behind in any way.

I got a letter today refused the holiday because of the reason for it- I didn't lie about it like most of the other parents do Hmm I was upfront and honest and I wouldn't want to put any pressure on my dc.

In the last term I know children who without any booking have had days off because they've competed in stuff and then been too tired to attend school/been preparing for a holidayHmm/fancied a day off to go shopping/picked up relatives from airports.

I know this has happened it's not just rumour some of these parents and friends of mine and my dc and they've shared this info.

If everybody else was treated the same I wouldn't be so annoyed I just feel like I've been singled out and to make matters worse someone at school has a big mouth because I got a few of the cliquey cronies asking me about modelling/agencies/if I think their children could modelHmmwhich I managed to fob off.

By the way, my dc have done modelling for a while and they've never had to take any time off as it's always been scheduled around term time, this is a one off and something they really want to do- it will be totally different to anything else they've done and I think a brilliant learning experience. (TV)

OP posts:
thefruitwhisperer · 03/03/2011 10:18

But by doing child modelling arent you inviting that kind of comparison?

worraliberty · 03/03/2011 10:19

Well ANY child can do modelling so how is that wrong?

In case anyone's under the wrong impression, a child does not have to be remotely even good looking to be a model..quite the opposite at times. How many adverts do we see with odd looking gappy teethed kids who have been chosen for their 'character' or their odd hair/freckles etc..

thefruitwhisperer · 03/03/2011 10:21

A comment like that would never have come up in normal conversation. The child modelling prompted it.

elphabadefiesgravity · 03/03/2011 10:25

You child can not legally model for payment without a licence.

It isn't an optional thing - it is the law for all paid jobs and all paid an dunpaid jobs in school time.

elphabadefiesgravity · 03/03/2011 10:27

Modelling assigmewnts are routinely inspected and if a child is found on set without a licence there are fines to pay £2,000 and the shoot will be closed doen (also applies to film and theatre)

Mammie81 · 03/03/2011 10:28

BUSTED!

LittleOneMum · 03/03/2011 10:30

I think YABU unreasonable too - because school is such an important thing. Child modelling chills me in my bones though - my DS was been scouted several times and I have always said absolutely no way, he is a child and shouldn't have to work/be touted around auditions/be compared to other children/asked to promote stuff just so that companies can make money instead of being in school, playing in the park, all the other usual kid stuff. He's got plenty of time in life to work!

Sorry, just being honest Grin

elphabadefiesgravity · 03/03/2011 10:30

Oh well - I tried to help

I had no problem in dd getting a week off school for theatre when I applied properly. I am also a licenced chaperone. the regs are not just to monitor time off school but also to check up on working hours and conditions.

elphabadefiesgravity · 03/03/2011 10:32

ANd YABU

The school are perfectly entitled to refuse(and indeed would be negligent if they did authorise it) time off for modelling without the proper licesing being in place.

SeeJaneKick · 03/03/2011 10:36

It's so wrong! Modelling is work and life experience...it's an educational experience and he will learn about cameras, directors, social skills....and much more.

Who are they to refuse him? If it it was wrong in some way then companies would not be allowed to employ kids....by saying no they are denying your son the chnce to further his skills in something he i talented at.

If it were a job playing violin in an orchestra for a day would they refuse? Doubt it. Performers are villified generally and as someone who has worked in the industry since the sage of 10 it angers me...

QuintessentialShadows · 03/03/2011 10:39
Grin

Excellent thursday morning wind-up.

vintageteacups · 03/03/2011 10:40

Just ring them on the day and say he's been vomiting all night.

It's unfair of them to allow some kids to go on holidays abroad but not let your ds do a couple of days modelling (I would have said that's an interesting and educating activity that the majority of children don't get to do).

As long as it's not in front of an audience, then he won't need a performance licence. Not sure about working licence.

vintageteacups · 03/03/2011 10:41

Oh and guess what topic work DDs class did last year?
Yep - fashion. And what did they have to do? Bring in their fave clothes and do modelling along the 'cat walk' to their fave song. How is this any different other than your ds won't be doing it in school?

TotemPole · 03/03/2011 10:42

If they shouldn't be modelling without a licence then how can they have worked before now?Confused

OP get a licence. Listen to elpha.

TotemPole · 03/03/2011 10:44

QuintessentialShadows, I wondered if it was wind up. Hmm

twirlymum · 03/03/2011 10:45

Is it through an agency? If so, then I am astounded that they have not needed a license for previous jobs. It is not just about the school, a doctors letter is also needed to ensure the child is fit to work.
The agency will liaise with the local authority to arrange licenses.
I would question this.

Pagwatch · 03/03/2011 10:47

Hahahaha.

My ds1 and ds2 (and dd actually ) were on the set of a tv drama for about six weeks on and off one summer six years ago.

This was a high quality production with well known actors and actresses.

It mostly involved them pissing about waiting.

Ds1 was lucky as I was a consultant on the film and the director took a shine to him so he did get involved in how it was shot, how the cameras set up etc.

But for the vat majority of the children they wait. They get told where to sit/stand and what to do. They do it repeatedly. They go outside and wait some more.

The fun stuff, the trailer, the meeting famous actors and being fussed over and feted is nothing to do with real life skills.

The children in one if the scenes my dcs were involved in were extras. They had no real clue what was going on. They sat bored with their mums till they were needed and it seemed to me to be mostly about the mothers aspiration.
Modelling must be even worse.

Ds1was offered work, offered roles. Said big fat no thanks.

startail · 03/03/2011 10:48

YANBU
2 weeks holiday all in term time is pushing it and is unreasonable if the child has had a lot off other days off. But odd days for good reason is not.
We never used to have trouble with term time holidays, the Government and local councils now lean on the schools. If they want unauthorised absences looking bad on their OFSTED let them.

Original poster
Lionelvinyl · 03/03/2011 10:52

we don't have a licence Confused

So busted yes, entirely!

That is the responsibilty of the agent surely?

OP posts:
worraliberty · 03/03/2011 10:52

Too many authorised absences look just as bad to OFSTED startail and they will want to look into the reason for authorisations too.

PURPLESWAN · 03/03/2011 10:54

Here its pretty standard to have term time absence refused - we do what is expected of us and submit and application then the school does what is expected of them and refuse. Generally the parents they say "well we are going" and thats the end of it - particularly in the case of holiday if they do then fine you its still going to be less than the markup on a school holiday break.

I think a lot of people are reacting to this more because its "modelling" than because you are taking time off from school - the response if you had been discussing a "family break" would have been slightly different.

I do have issue with how its unacceptable for me to take the children out for a holiday they generally pick up a few words of another language and love learning about the history of wherever we are visiting. But its OK for school to make topic of the term "extreme sports" and waste entire days on sports events - what a load of tosh no way on earth will either child be doing anything sporting for a living!

twirlymum · 03/03/2011 10:56

Yes it is the responsibility of the agent.
In my experience we only ever got a few days notice for modelling jobs, so I'm very surprised that your DC's have been booked for June already.
My DD modelled for one of the best agencies in the country for three years, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but when she started school the head was not very supportive, so she stopped. If she wants to do it again when she's older that's up to her.

LadyOfTheManor · 03/03/2011 10:57

YABU.

"Modelling" is not a reasonable excuse to miss school. Neither is going on "holiday". I don't believe parents should be taking their children out of school for any reason (illness excused).

PURPLESWAN · 03/03/2011 10:58

Agree with Pagwatch too - unless you have one of these really focussed Christina Aguilera type children - there is every chance they will be bored witless, possibly refused to do what they are asked to and probably never do it again.

Having said that if you had a child who were DETERMINED and talented then I for one would not discourage it completely.

elphabadefiesgravity · 03/03/2011 10:58

No, it is the reposibility of everyone involved. The parent has to sign the form and is ultimately liable for the fine along with the production company.

I too am wondering if it ia wind up as no reputable agency would risk their reputation for sending unlicensed kids on assignments.