AIBU the school should allow a later start time

[Ihateelves]

DC school are having a musical production which is a whole class participation. ( 2 classes doing 2 separate shows )
they have been focusing on this for weeks in class and everyone is involved. They are year 4 and 5 students.
it is going to be performed at a different location from the school with other schools also performing musicals.
the children attended school by the usual 8.40 this morning for normal lessons they then left school just before lunch to head to Venue and did rehearsals for the rest of the day. The show then starts at 7pm and most children won’t get home until around 11pm.
we received an email today to remind us that they expect all year 4 and 5 students to be at school on time tomorrow.
I know every 8/9 year old is different but I can’t imagine the classroom will be fun for anyone tomorrow including the teacher !
I would have expected a later start time at least ?

DS2 would have been a missery by 8pm, and a sobbing mess by 10.
I realise that is 2 extremes, but there will be a number oof kids who won't make it that late.

My eldest is a lark. By 9pm he's like a zombie, he wouldn't perform well or remember lines, and so wouldn't enjoy this particularly. Why is it "exciting" for children to be kept up late when tired? There is such a thing as a matinee performance and its ideal for kids

I agree. My kids school did this.

My kids’ primary school used to do Global Rock and due to travelling time/public transport/etc it was was gone midnight by the time everyone got home. One year it was 2am due to delays caused by fog

School was open anyway for the rest of the pupils, but those who had taken part in the performance had until 10:00am.

I agree 💯 👍🏿. It's ridiculous to have a show that starts at 7pm for young children especially on a school night. Makes zero sense!

At that age, most kids will be fine. The excitement of doing something different with their friends will keep them going. They’ll sleep over the weekend.

YABU, it's only one day.

My children do similar (normally show runs of one week). I let them wake naturally and then take them in the next morning - most days they're still on time but occasionally it's nearer 9:15 but it makes a big difference to how they cope. I know they'll be marked as late.

As this is a school event I think some leniency should be shown!

I think school should start later anyway, but that's just my opinion. 9.30am start would be better than 8.30am like they have around here (and in many other schools.) And a finish at 2.00pm. I know that would cause issues with childcare for some, but people would work around it like they do in other countries.

They have later start times and earlier finish times in Scandinavia, but here, I know some kids who go to school 8.30am til 4pm, and the school is sometimes not close, and is an hour on the bus, so their day is 7.30am til 5pm. It's like a full time job. FFS they're children! Shouldn't have an almost 10 hour day at 'school.' (including the travel obvs.)

Inexplicably, in Scandinavia, the standard of education, and teaching, (and the academic ability of the kids,) is higher too, even with a shorter school day!

Went off on a tangent there sorry. @Ihateelves YANBU.

Yep this

But most working parents won't have the option to just give their kids a lie-in, so will need to drop them off at the usual time anyway and the teachers will need to be at work, and teaching. And it would be chaos to have other kids then turning up in dribs and drabs throughout the morning.

It's one day when the kids will be yawning and a bit grumpy, that's all. Really no big deal.

It’s cut the end of my post off, not sure why.

If you think your child won’t cope with the long day, just take them in a bit later and tell the school why.

That’s what I did.

When we have these types of events in our school they are flexible about pupils coming in late the next day. In reality most parents work so the vast majority are in on time. My kids do moan it's not fair that they are in on time and others get a line in but then life's not fair...

They are fine as a one off, will not combust. My experience is they were always excited to spend the next day chattering with their friends about the exciting night before. Also, on Mumsnet, whenever you suggest a later bedtime for kids up at sparrow fart, you invariably get the response they are up at that time irrespective of bedtime, so …….

Yet more proof that for MN schools can't do right for doing wrong! Of course there would be moans if the school started later, as it is it will probably be a laid back day, they'll cope.

I think going in late would be sensible. But I suppose this creates difficulties for parent getting to work and needing to drop off early.

This is what our school did. "The children may come in at first break if they wish".

Still open for those that want, and flexibility for those who want that.

As a one off I think most children could manage this. The brilliant memories (including the excitement of a late night coach) will last longer than the detriment of a single late night might have on them.

Kids have a lie in after going to bed at 11? Not in my experience 🤣

Don’t most kids normally have loads of after school activities? At that age, my kids had a class or activity 4 school nights a week and with the occasional event, they sometimes didn’t get him till 10. They were fine getting off to school the next day. It’s one day. They’ll be fine.

We had this once a trip should have been home for 6 wasn’t home till 11pm . The teacher was in as was my child as I was working .. They had a great day .. very low expectations for the day .

It's 1 day, they'll cope.

What happens to the DC who have working parents and need to drop off at 8:40 so that they can get to work on time?

Not really, if it is an option then parents could choose.

Personally I would keep mine off until break if they were that tired regardless.

The only thing with that is the ones who have to go in get upset/mardy with working parents that have to go to work, and then they have to go to school when others don't.

its a no win really.

if I was the teacher & was allowed 🙄 I'd do a very casual clothes & breakfast morning (simple things, fruit, pastries etc no cooking) & reading/drawing.

its not just one late night, it's the focus all week & the nerves/excitement then the after show let down.

theyll be tired & not up to much work wise first thing. Let them get themselves together slowly.

I have a Year 4 DS, and 11 pm would definitely be too late for him, even as a one off. The show should have been organised to have an earlier start time, or ideally moved to a weekend afternoon. YANBU at all.

It’s one day.
They will survive
It teaches dedication
Not every family can accommodate a late start.