LAMDA ????

[sailorsgal]

Can anyone explain what this is? ds 6 had to learn a poem and repeat it to an external examiner. I wasn't happy about it as it is something extra (added to school bill) and the fact he is too young to be worrying about exams of any type. I asked the teacher whether he could withdraw from it and she said he would be the only one in the school not entered.

Is this of some use in the future or is it just another way to get money out of parents.

LAMDA is the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts - they run the system of music and 'speech and drama' exams for children. They're very established and respected, not just a money making operation. Having said that I do think you should have been asked whether your child wanted to be entered for a recital exam!

As to whether it's of use - some children love learning to interpret and recite poetry, some don't. It's good for diction, comprehension, and confidence in public speaking.

charitygirl thankyou. Is it offered in all schools?

No, it's not part of the National Curriculum, but it is a pretty common 'extra' to offer -the cost is the exam entry fee, but usually a school would charge tuition, like with learning an instrument. Perhaps they enter all children for the Grade 1 exam, and the ones that like it/do well will be offered further lessons. They surely couldn't have every pupil doing it up to Grade 8!

I really liked doing the exams, but I was a big reader who also loved showing off! I had friends who would have hated it.

Blimey - they enter all of them? DC'a school do LAMDA, but it's an extra like individual music lessons, at equivalent cost. If they are only charging you the exam fee, then the school are including the teaching in drama lessons, at a guess.

DS chose not to do it, but gets plenty of other practice at public speaking so I certainly don't think he is missing out.