To be annoyed child got no part in school play

[Honeybeebuzz]

Child is in Year 1, they do their play with the reception class too. Last year he didn't get a part but we were told it's because most parts go to the Year 1s. Just found out he's not got a part again, just chorus. Its a small school so most do and im not sure why he didn't. He's generally well behaved, confident and doing well academically so not like he couldn't manage a line or two. Just feel a bit sad for him as he's chatting away about the parts his friends got. There's nothing I can do really and im obviously not showing him im annoyed

Try not to worry about it. He's fine, he's in the chorus.
Maybe they were asked to volunteer in class and he didn't. Occasionally some schools have favouritism problems.
But ultimately it won't make any difference to his life.

I would ask the teacher and explain he didn’t get a part last year either. I’m pretty sure he could be given a small written in part with a line to say.
ask OP! You’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Check with your child first.

Mine was offered a large speaking part and asked to be the donkey which is non speaking,

I would mention it to the teacher, no harm! How many got parts vs chorus?

Oh how disappointing.
I'd emphasise to him that chorus isn't no part at all! It's a very important part and you usually get to do more singing than anyone else.

Maybe you could ask but in a careful way.

hi miss jones, billy has been telling me all about the lines the year ones get to say in the class play and is hopeful he’ll get one too. I'm just wondering if this is a possibility with him being in the chorus again? Thanks

How does he feel about it? On one occasion my eldest DD got the part of Mary in the nativity. Her friend, who had a much smaller part, really wanted to be Mary and my DD wasn't really bothered so they swapped (with teacher's permission).

Does he want a speaking part?
At DC primary school the children can volunteer for a speaking role and if necessary they write in a few extra lines.

Thanks but we got a note sent home saying he was in chorus and to wear an xmas jumper on the day and if your child has a speaking part lines have been sent home to learn, so dont think they can change it now! My husband thinks its not a big deal but its really annoyed me, they dont even do plays after year 1 they do a Carol service so this is his last year. Two of his best friends have parts one of whom I know has had some behavior issues this term and been excluded from playtime twice in the last few weeks!

It depends what proportion of the class for a part. One year the teacher clearly gave everyone except 3 friends at least one part but some multiple. That felt very deliberate as we had previously complained about the level of favouritism down by the teacher.

They were likely asked in class and he chose Chorus.

If the majority didn't get parts, then, unfortunately that's just how it is, he's in the same boat as most with a few lucky exceptions, and no reason to think he's more entitled than any other DC. However if the majority got parts and he's in a small group who didn't, it might be worth enquiring as to why.

Well someone has to be in the chorus.
Maybe they know that he's the type of kid that once on stage would clam up or mess around.

I think you could ask. At least you will know if he didn’t volunteer or something. Surely they can all get a line?

One year my dc had a line but someone got mixed up and the lines went out of order and she didn’t get to say hers. She was devastated! Sounds dramatic but she cried all the way home as it was so important to her!

If he really wants a part, I think you need to be that pushy parent that asks that he gets one.

I think it depends really, if there’s 30 kids and only 10 parts then there’s always going to be 20 kids who don’t get one and that’s just life. If there’s 20 kids and 18 parts, then I’d be wondering why they can’t just share the parts out to include the last 2 kids.

Could also be that they ask kids in class who wants it, or to do little auditions. I know my godson gets asked in his class who wants a part and he always says no, he is shy and hates having to speak even infront of the class on his own so having to speak for the school & parents would be his worst nightmare and he tells his teacher he doesn’t want that.

Is he particularly bothered? Not everyone can have a speaking part. I'm with your husband.

I dont know the exact number but based on last years play and class size id say about 80% get a line/part
Chorus is generally made up of the younger year group. I also found out one of the boys who got a part had a part last year too (which wasn't that many in reception class) this childs parent is one of the board of governors so definitely feels like favourtism.
I might ask next week if they need any more speakers as my child is keen? Not too pushy? My DH is dead against this and thinks it'll just annoy the teacher

I'm a primary school teacher and when we give out parts it's definitely not favouritism (& we don't know who did what part last year as we've 90 kids in our year group/nativity). At this young age we generally choose the kids that are confident and who we think will do a good job. Sometimes we get it wrong (our Joseph broke down in a flood of tears last year 😂🙈) but we try our best. I've never had a parent come to me to complain about their child's part (yet) apart from the anxious kids who don't want to join in at all.

Blimey I wouldn't have a clue who had a part in last years play 🤷‍♀️ I think you may a being a little too sensitive here OP (in that the teachers will not have any idea who was Narrator Number 3 or In Keeper Number 5 etc 12 months ago!)

I can barely remember who I spoke to at home time as I handed out the 15 lost jumpers, 5 forgotten water bottles, 4 hair scrunchies and two banned packs of football cards!

Just speak to the teacher!

I do think they do their best to give appropriate parts. So maybe ask discretely - you can tell the teacher of he'd really like one and they might put something in.

I'm now grinning about ours. My boys as I'm preschool and have NOT been given any lines. This is because of what they did at the assembly in the sunmer. One refused to do it and sat on my lap. The other was asked if he minded having some extra as as he knew his brother's lines. He said he could do it. He then proceded to loudly recite EVERYONE's part to the whole assembly louder than any of th other children could speak. He looked very proud of himself. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry! So he has firmly been told this time that he can sing as loud as he likes (yikes, he can't carry a time in a bucket!) But otherwise he is not to make any sound whatsoever.

Thank you for reminding me of this. Grinning now.

Does your child want a part or do you want him to have a part? You seem to know a lot about the other children

It’s hard but it’s how things are sometimes. The fact his friend has had some behaviour issues is not a reason he cannot take part in a play. Maybe the focus of learning a few lines is part of his development plan or similar. You can’t and won’t know.

It is hard though, my son was never chosen for speaking parts in school productions …he only ever sat in a chorus. It’s us being a Mum and wanting them to have that chance which is hard. I don’t think my son was ever worried.

your feelings are natural and I don’t think you’re being silly, just natural Mum stuff …just cheer him on in his Xmas jumper (because Y1 children look so lovely all dressed up in their cuddly Xmas jumpers) and praise him.

You need more context for this. As other posters say, maybe most of them are in the chorus and there's a very small cast. Plus there may be reasons why some are allocated speaking and non speaking roles such as how well they can read and memorise lines (or not). There's such a lot of variation in development at that age.

I feel sorry for primary school teachers. They have enough to do without dealing with stuff like this.