Page 3 | School banning a single year group from nativity

letsgoonthebigslide · 2022-12-01T21:32:35+00:00

Im name changing because it's outing. Our local paper did an article on a school because they are excluding year one parents from going to Nativity. Theres two plays, nursery and reception do one together and year one and year two do a second one together. The nursery and reception parents can go to the nursery and reception play. The year two parents can go to the year one and year two play. The year one parents have been told they aren't allowed to go to the year one and two play. The reason given is sickness, covid, colds and flu etc. The year one parents feel unhappy about it. YABU- the school is right YANBU- the school is wrong Link to the article https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/23160308.frustration-parents-banned-bracknell-nativity-play/

DooNotAsISay · 02/12/2022 12:43

The parent is now going out of her way, at her own cost, to arrange a nativity for the kids with two weeks notice

This is batshit.

Comefromaway · 02/12/2022 12:46

The year 6 comparison is moot. A) They were older to understand B) everyone was in the same boat

Exactly.

Parents at my daughter's secondary school and college complained because only final year parents were allowed to go and watch the annual dance show but this was May 2021, the school was in the middle of an outbreak (show was cancelled in the end anyway) and the students were old enough to understand these were exceptional circumstances!

Telling a Year 1 child their parents can go watch them sing then changing the goalposts is just cruel.

Comefromaway · 02/12/2022 12:46

DooNotAsISay · 02/12/2022 12:43

The parent is now going out of her way, at her own cost, to arrange a nativity for the kids with two weeks notice

This is batshit.

No, I think it is lovely of her.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 02/12/2022 12:51

Interesting to hear from @Itsjustmeyousee as a parent there. This is really about communication isn't it? If the whole thing had been billed as a performance by Y2, Y1 parents wouldn't have batted an eye at their kids being in the background singing. But issuing tickets and then reneging is poor. And I thought as you did, itsjust, that they could do an outdoor concert or something, but you say the head wasn't receptive.

What a way to erode trust in the school over something which is usually inclusive and heart-warming.

twistymo · 02/12/2022 12:51

DooNotAsISay · 02/12/2022 12:43

The parent is now going out of her way, at her own cost, to arrange a nativity for the kids with two weeks notice

This is batshit.

Meaning?

DooNotAsISay · 02/12/2022 12:52

But the year 1 children were providing the choir. That’s what the parents are missing out on. Fuck knows why this mother wants to martyr herself putting on a separate nativity for year, which they weren’t going to get in the first place.
But hopefully it will give her some idea of how tough it is for schools to organise in the first place.

Flywiththewind · 02/12/2022 12:56

Itsjustmeyousee · 02/12/2022 11:34

Just a bit of background info here from an actual parent of year one child. Children were told by teachers there parents could go - tickets were released then email sent by Head saying year one would no longer be able to purchase tickets the day they were released, FOUR days after saying we could go. We spoke to headteacher to find alternative arrangements and he was not interested. Suggestions included splitting year one & year two to perform separately or have year one do an outdoor choir so parents could attend. He wasn’t interested.

If Covid, colds and flus were an issue then why organise a show for both years together in the first place?

the argument is NOT about the reasons behind his decision - it’s how it’s been handled. He could have made an effort to find another way of making it work. The communication has been apppauling, kids are disraught. The argument is NOT in jealousy over year two - absolutely not! Year two parents absolutely should see their kids perform - this is their last opportunity to do so.

His attitude of “year two get priority as they are the ones on stage” is appauling.

There’s so much more to this story than people know.

The parent is now going out of her way, at her own cost, to arrange a nativity for the kids with two weeks notice - that are missing out on performing in front of their parents to make sure they have a chance to do it - why couldn’t the school have done this?!!!!! Who knows what’s going to happen next year?

Should probably add to this that it’s not a nativity that she is arranging - it’s a chance for them to sing the exact same songs they should be singing in front of their parents (the choir that is supposingly worthless in the schools eyes)

Comefromaway · 02/12/2022 12:57

The poster above called it a nativity but the article says

"Charlotte has set up an alternative carol performance for children and parents, which is due to be attended by 85-150 people"

So it sounds like they will be singing the songs they wold have sung in the choir at this separate performance.

twistymo · 02/12/2022 12:58

Comefromaway · 02/12/2022 12:57

The poster above called it a nativity but the article says

"Charlotte has set up an alternative carol performance for children and parents, which is due to be attended by 85-150 people"

So it sounds like they will be singing the songs they wold have sung in the choir at this separate performance.

And do they should!

DooNotAsISay · 02/12/2022 13:00

Should probably add to this that it’s not a nativity that she is arranging - it’s a chance for them to sing the exact same songs they should be singing in front of their parents (the choir that is supposingly worthless in the schools eyes)

That’s fair enough! Thank you for clarifying. (A new, complete, nativity would be batshit)

twistymo · 02/12/2022 13:02

DooNotAsISay · 02/12/2022 13:00

Should probably add to this that it’s not a nativity that she is arranging - it’s a chance for them to sing the exact same songs they should be singing in front of their parents (the choir that is supposingly worthless in the schools eyes)

That’s fair enough! Thank you for clarifying. (A new, complete, nativity would be batshit)

Haha yes! I think that would be extremely difficult to do - the teachers work extremely hard on these events & I can imagine a LOT of effort goes into it

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 02/12/2022 13:02

twistymo · 02/12/2022 12:58

And do they should!

Show quote history

Good for them!

BesidetheseasideXxx · 02/12/2022 13:03

I'm the parent of a year one child and this is the first year I'm able to go to a nativity play. He went to a nursery attached to his primary school and usually would have done a singing thing in nursery and a nativity in reception, but both of these things had to be cancelled both years due to covid. I would be devastated at this as I can't wait to finally watch him in something. I also agree with others saying it's unfair on year one children who won't have thier parents in the audience, I'd be tempted not to even take my child into school that day and say he was ill.

twistymo · 02/12/2022 13:04

BesidetheseasideXxx · 02/12/2022 13:03

I'm the parent of a year one child and this is the first year I'm able to go to a nativity play. He went to a nursery attached to his primary school and usually would have done a singing thing in nursery and a nativity in reception, but both of these things had to be cancelled both years due to covid. I would be devastated at this as I can't wait to finally watch him in something. I also agree with others saying it's unfair on year one children who won't have thier parents in the audience, I'd be tempted not to even take my child into school that day and say he was ill.

Agreed. It's not about what they do - it's about the magic of the moment & being part of that with them

Dontaskdontget · 02/12/2022 13:13

I’d be worried about my child’s education being managed by a school management that is so lazy and stupid. Obviously if you tell parents that their children must perform but the parents aren’t allowed to watch, you’re going to have a large number of furious parents and someone will tell the local press/ rant on social media. That was inevitable.

Most schools manage this by holding separate performances for different year groups, and ditching some PE lessons so that the hall is available. It isn’t complicated or difficult to do.

A headteacher that didn’t spot the problem coming and take steps to solve it before it hit the press is not a competent headteacher.

twistymo · 02/12/2022 13:18

Dontaskdontget · 02/12/2022 13:13

I’d be worried about my child’s education being managed by a school management that is so lazy and stupid. Obviously if you tell parents that their children must perform but the parents aren’t allowed to watch, you’re going to have a large number of furious parents and someone will tell the local press/ rant on social media. That was inevitable.

Most schools manage this by holding separate performances for different year groups, and ditching some PE lessons so that the hall is available. It isn’t complicated or difficult to do.

A headteacher that didn’t spot the problem coming and take steps to solve it before it hit the press is not a competent headteacher.

Absolutely!!!

I think they're right for sharing the story - I wouldn't want my son going there if I knew this was the type of thing they do. And with a pre schooler, I would want to know what the school is like before signing him up to reception there for example.

the schools poor decision making especially when the communication had been impossible with them - a poster from the school had said that suggestions were made and dismissed - why? On what grounds? We're face masks considered? Outdoor performance? Splitting into two? Having more than one performance?

why not explore OTHER options to accommodate the parents and include them rather than banning them from attendance. It's pure laziness from the school, no effort to try and do an alternative thing for them - no compassion

If I had the same situation with my son I would be very upset too, it's borderline discrimination.

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 02/12/2022 13:22

Hillarious · 02/12/2022 12:24

There's probably a whole group of Year 1 parents relieved that they don't have to go and watch other people's children perform in the school nativity!

Really? Your kids nativity is a bit special though, surely? It's not like they do it every year. I know it's fun to be cynical and witty but I'm really proud and excited for my kid and want to be there to wave and give her a big thumbs up.

Even if the child is in a non speaking role it takes balls to do something new, stand up and perform something to strangers, and I'm looking forward to seeing how far she's come despite covid fucking everything up for her.

It's a nasty thing to take away from both parents and children.

Hillarious · 02/12/2022 13:27

@Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie The kids being discussed are in the choir, not in the nativity play itself. It's not "nasty". Disappointing for the parents, but not nasty.

WishingWell5 · 02/12/2022 13:44

@Hillarious It was disappointing a couple of years ago when people thought isolating was the right thing to do for everyone.

Now that people know what they know it's either nasty or pure stupidity.

Crazydecision · 03/12/2022 22:05

This iappears to be just bad management by the head of school. How did he think this was going to go? Lots youngsters crying because their parents can't see them as planned then parents kicking off at the change of plan at the last minute. I think reading comments from the parents on here, they are justified doing their own thing for their children. If this put a wrong right, who could argue. Good luck to the lady doing the carol performance - she may need all support she can get. I'd love to hear of this being a success for them all.

Ericaequites · 03/12/2022 22:41

The Y1 parents should be allowed to attend. It’s a matter of fairness and equity. It doesn’t matter that Y1 is only the choir. There are no small parts, only small actors. It’s a big ask for some five year olds to stand still and sing along with the right words.

Blondlashes · 03/12/2022 22:50

If I had a year 1 child they would not be at school
that day and we would go and do something fun together.