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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

At what point does it stop being 'Extra-curricular' & what does it become then?

78 replies

KatyMac · 11/07/2013 20:38

Is it vocational?

I mean DD hit that about 12 months ago; but I still don't really know what to call it. And I have those stupid conversations with people about how much she dances, & why she doesn't go to guides/youth club/parties/PE at school and yes actually she does intend to do it for a living

How do you describe your DC's activity?

ALthough today I was asked if it was fair letting her compete in Sports Day (at Dance) as she was practically professional.....so some people understand Wink

OP posts:
Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 21:36

We knew we had made the right decision to change dds school after sitting through two hours if prize day with sporting achievement after sporting achievement. No mention of music or drama at all.

Saying that she's never had a problem getting licences for the shows/panto she's been in - just zilch acknowledgment & a music teacher who doesn't seem to like her singing much.

Original poster
KatyMac · 16/07/2013 21:39

Well DD competed in Dance for Sports day (which I was amazed at) & won

I just feel a bit better that they know what we are doing, one teacher (who I really like) knew what was going on, on teacher (who I also know & like) suspected & the other (who I think makes the decisions) was completely unaware.....he was gob-smacked, completely at what she already does....never mind next year

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morethanpotatoprints · 16/07/2013 22:55

The schools I was talking about were mentioned on here, I don't know them personally. It was in response to the new ruling of time off as educated off site. My dds school were all right about it when she attended, but apparently some have been told to forget it from September.
I heard it was schools worried about Ofsted and attendance percentages. My dds percentages were very low when we left school. This wasn't the reason though.
I think they are saying no to anything outside school tbh. I agree it absolutely stinks and so glad we don't have to worry about it happening to us.

Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 23:14

Luckily for us one of the local education welfare officers will over rule schools if necessary for panto. & other performances and issue a licence anyway.

Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 23:15

In fact they actually issue a booklet to head teachers saying why they must give permission unless they have string valid educational reasons.

Original poster
KatyMac · 16/07/2013 23:15

It isn't for shows tho' it's for further/higher education (I guess a bit like a uni interview)

Apparently the school being an academy makes a difference

OP posts:
Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 23:17

When dd applied to vocational school for various reasons we wanted to be low key so I just informed the head she would be attending an entrance assessment day for a potential secondary school. When she got back the secretary asked her if she'd answered all the questions Blush

Original poster
KatyMac · 16/07/2013 23:17

She's just (22:22) been offered a workshop in London tomorrow night; some choreographer I've never heard of (which isn't really a surprise as I don't know any choreographers)

But she'd just agreed to help out her teacher with the babies & I hate letting anyone down

What to do, what to do; sometimes I hate being a mum

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Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 23:20

Dd had her last tap & modern class tonight (the teacher is also having a career change after next weeks show) last ballet class on Saturday.

I'm going to be completely lost next year.

Original poster
KatyMac · 16/07/2013 23:21

You'll be fine - you'll just have different problems to deal with (& they will expand to fill your empty space)

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Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 23:25

DS has asked if he can do a drama class next year.

Picturesinthefirelight · 16/07/2013 23:26

But he doesn't want to dance :(

Original poster
KatyMac · 16/07/2013 23:32

He might one day; try a different Genre

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RussiansOnTheSpree · 17/07/2013 00:09

Well, clearly not all schools are saying no to anything outside school. It's possible that schools will be more likely to say yes to kids who are comfortably achieving/ahead of targets, I suppose. It does all seem a bit nuts though. :(

DowntonTrout · 17/07/2013 06:57

Are you sending her to the workshop Katy. I think I would.

Original poster
KatyMac · 17/07/2013 07:45

No idea - I was supposed to reply last night; but I didn't feel I could make that sort of decision without asking her.

She says she won't go unless her teacher can find someone else to help her (which I think is a nice decision) - so I'm waiting to hear from the teacher

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 17/07/2013 07:47

But conflicts between activities is a major issue in my life atm - saying let DD decide is not as easy as it sounds, there are still conflicts about priorities

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InViennaWeWerePoetry · 19/07/2013 14:53

She needs a plan B for September 2014 Katy, even if it's carry on with her current dance schedule, find a part time job and try again for September 2015. There's nothing scarier than all your friends talking about where they'll be going next year for college/university etc and you having nowhere to go ( and according to my mum it's even worse for the parent!) can she apply to the local college anyway, then if she doesn't get a musical theatre place she could have her as year to work on her acting and singing (theatre studies as and lots of singing lessons, plus the dancing outside of college?) When I was auditioning for drama second time round, all the stage schools wanted to know what I was doing in my year out (amateur theatre group, job auditioning, teaching dance, etc ). They want to see proof that you're actively doing something to increase your chances of getting in next time around.

Theas18 · 19/07/2013 15:37

Coming to this late. We may be lucky - a very high achieving school (or schools, technically the girls and boys are separate)academically that maybe, because it's selective doesn't have to "whip the kids" all the time to get the amazing results they do get- they are all quite able to catch up.

We've never had any trouble asking for politely , and getting, time off for concerts/exams( and the day time rehearsals- though these, apart from pre Xmas and if school continues into Holy week- are all schools music service on the whole). We've had a day to extend a weekend when DD2 sang in the alhambra with the ballet, we have 2 days off at the end of term for NYRO (NYRO admin... look at the term times next time, it's embarrassing) etc etc

I guess they use the " educated off site " code , and it helps that the kids are exceptionally healthy.

I'm aware there are kids who do have "vocational commitments" that take them out of school much more than my "hobbyist" kids:

DD1 had a mate who did 3 day eventing and had a gap year sponsored by Dodson and Horrell (sp?) and DS has a friend who very nearly fenced at the olympics but failed at the last selection ('sok now as he's on a sports scholarship at a very famous boarding school now LOL) . Both must have had plenty of time off even around GCSE and A levels. Don't know about DS friend, but DD1s got the grades and is now doing law after her gap year so again academically, no problem.

So I guess it depends where academic achievement fits with all the time out, and where your priorities lie vs the school wanting to educate ( and to be a ble to " prove" that have educated) your child.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/07/2013 16:32

It's complicated; in the sense of not having a plan B - her idea is only to audition for the local(ish) college & for no other level 3s

So either leave home for a level 6 or stay for a level 3

The problem with that is that it is to some extent a wasted year if she doesn't get in to level 6

But we aren't sure if doing the auditions for other level 3s are worth the time; because

Brit school - very hard to get into
Arts Ed - very hard to get into
Italia Conti (Guildford) - very hard to get into

So they would all be as hard to get into as the level 6s in some ways & then they increase her training from 3 yrs to 5 yrs which for a dancer is difficult

The Centre & Reynolds are also possible but I understand also difficult to get in to.....

Are you sensing a theme?

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RedHelenB · 26/07/2013 20:06

Can she go to any of these places without funding because if you can afford to pay for her then it will greatly increase her chances. Also, she needs to concentrate on her auditions above all else as she will only get one shot at them, so it may be having to say no to any extra stuff.

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/07/2013 20:15

Nope - it's a DADA or not going

At least we can still afford for her to go IF she gets a DADA; a lot of people can't this year Sad

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RedHelenB · 26/07/2013 20:31

The girl I'm thinking of went to LSC after GCSEs & got funding

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/07/2013 20:39

LSC is from 18 now (as far as I can see)

It is amazing

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RedHelenB · 26/07/2013 22:46

Hope it all works out for her - is she doing Miss Dance?