To allow child a day off to miss this?

[biscuitsteaandgin]

School have decreed all children will participate in a musical performance (singing and dancing.)

Child really doesn’t want to.

Would you let them miss a day?

Does everyone have to perform solo or are group singing/reciting/choirs an option. We had Eisteddfodau at school at which everyone was expected to do something but expecting everyone to perform solo is a bit much.

Not all secondary schools are average sized bert

Some are below average. That’s sort of the point of average.

Don’t think it’s 10 minutes per group either. More like 5.

If everyone has to sing solo that pushes it up to 80 hours. About three school weeks.

Apologies had not rtft

I’ve never mentioned singing solo.

Groups of approx 10 kids at a time. It’s a much smaller secondary than average and it’s only KS3 in any case.

Ah bless. Let him stay off. I used to hate drama to the point that I would hide in the toilets when I was supposed to be in drama lessons so I didn’t have to perform. Anxiety about these things is horrible!

God no, the poor kid. Don't make her!

Just go and talk to the school. 9/10 times they'll try to help, there might b something else your child can do but you will never know if you don't ask.

It is very odd that the OP is so coy about the details.

What would you like to know, bert? I mean that genuinely, as I’m not sure where I’ve been coy?

TRUST ME, casper they won’t.

What sort of competition? How does it work? What’s it for? What will your child have to do? Does your child suffer from anxiety or does he just not fancy it? What has to school said about what they expect the children to get out of the competition? How do you know some of the kids won’t turn up? Basically, what exactly are we talking about?

what sort of competition

A dancing / singing one. I’m not being an arse bert but that’s the THIRD time I’ve answered that question.

whats it for

It’s a tutor group competition

what will you child have to do

Sing and dance! FFS!

does your child suffer from anxiety or does he just not fancy it

No anxiety as in medical condition. Worried about performing in front of others, being laughed at / bullied.

what has school said about what they expect the children to get out of the competition

Participation and apparently it’s fun.

How do you know some of the kids won’t turn up

Going by attendance in past years / playground talk

basically, what exactly are we talking about

A. Dancing. And. Singing. Competition.

Fair enough. I thought I might be able to help- I know quite a lot about school performances and also helping an anxious child through things they find difficult. But hey ho.

No, every child is expected to perform, unless there is a reason why movement might be difficult (e.g. in a wheelchair, e.g. on crutches)

Jesus! Again?

Kids on wheelchairs and on crutches are perfectly able to dance and sing. Or do you want to tell this guy he is neither use nor ornament?

Bert, it was intended as sort of humorous exasperation I’m sorry if that didn’t come across very well. I was rolling my eyes a bit at you, but also smiling.

To be honest, I’m pretty unhappy about it and about the way it has been handled. But I know the school and they will insist on kids taking part.

FFS, just send your child into school!

My son hates football / rugby and we've had tears, stomach aches and vomiting before school on PE days. I'd have loved to keep him off school but I didn't because that's life and hey, life isn't always fair.

You send your puking child in?

We parent differently.

What deadsouls said, I'm a nutshell.

If you start off pulling them out for something like this you set a precedent, and they'll either be rows with your almost teen when you do have to put your foot down, or you'll get a reputation as one of 'those' parents.

Those parents? Oh dear me, wouldn’t want that.

I certainly would and not give it a second thought.

So OP you'd keep you'd keep your child off school once a week for the whole of the winter term as they didn't want to do PE? That was the only reason for the sickness. Yes, I felt like shit driving to work knowing he didn't want to go in but what can you do?

How are they going to physically force the children though? Literally drag them on the stage and poke them with a stick shouting "dance dance". If you cannot go into the school and have a proper conversation saying that many children don't find this enjoyable and perhaps it's time to find a different way of having a form group competition then perhaps you should look for a different school. Or maybe your child could team up with others who don't want to do this and come up with a good argument and speech to present to their form teacher giving their reasons. Just taking the day off won't help. I am saying this as a mother of a child who is currently going through a major anxiety situation and is struggling to go to school. Today was major tears and panic but I got her there which is so important because at school she is getting so much support and help. I could just keep her at home which is what she wants.
It's a singing and dancing competition. My personal idea of hell. I would not want to do this now and I wouldn't have want to do this when I was at school. But unless teachers know why they will keep organising this year after year. Nothing will change.
Or you could just keep your kid and home that day. Whatever. It's your choice.

How are they going to physically force the children though?

Exactly. Passive resistance is the key to winning this one. The DC just has to have the courage to refuse to go on stage.

I wouldn’t baptiste, no. PE is a bit different, though.