Rules on G&T Register

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hi, I'm posting here as I would like a teacher to reply if possible.

If your child is on a G&T register for something, should the parents be informed? Also should certain provision or guidance be offered.

Please don't get me wrong I believe that funding should be for those who need extra help, but my dd has been bored stiff with the very small amount of music the school offers and has not been allowed to join in with groups as apparently music starts at y5 and she is y3. Oh sorry her talent is music.

I am more perplexed than angry as dd is due to leave the school soon, to be home ed, for more music. I was told today that as she is leaving their G&T register will lose one.

I can't understand why she wasn't supported a bit more. Is this usual, as I find other schools seem to offer much more. It is only a small school but other small schools in our area have far greater provision.

Why did they put your DD on the register for music if they have no provision for it at her age

Numbum, I have no idea to be honest. I suppose they have heard her sing in assembly with the other children and at Christmas in church. She wasn't allowed to join the choir although she was involved in the local county schools choir. The maddest thing was, all the schools combined do a large mass choir sing. DDs school were involved but dd wasn't in choir, so didn't do it. She did the concert with the county schools choir instead. It was like every turn she took they refused to include her, which just seems bizarre, especially as they had put her on this list.

Numbum, sorry I forgot to add she has private music lessons singing and violin, which the school know about. Once again there is no provision made for teachers to come in unless y5. The LEA will teach y2 if school/parents ask.

And they haven't asked? I'm baffled as to why they've put her on the G&T register (and told you about it) if they have no provision. Are you HE'ing purely because of this?

Ds is on the register for music. He is yr 3. It doesn't really mean much, unfortunately. The main difference is his music teacher offers him 1/2 hour instrument rather than 15min weekly lessons, (this is not usually available until dcs are yr5/6 & then only if they reach a certain level). He also got to play in his class assembly while the others sung and they have a music assembly that parents are invited to every term, (where all children who learn an instrument get to perform). He enjoys music but it's not his passion, (like I assume it is for your dd,) so my concern for support has been focused more on other areas.

Our experience seems similar to yours. It does seem a shame they wouldn't let her join the music groups for the older children if her level of talent is comparable/above theirs. I hope you manage to cater for her better once you are home edding.

Numbum. I know this may seem daft, but yes we are. However, our dd is so focussed and knows what she wants to do. She has a plan for world domination as an Opera singer and we are going to give her a chance. She has her sights set on music college and a jd at 11, but not a specialist music school as she has that at home. Her dad a pro/ reknowned musician and its part of her culture at home/ always musicians and music students here. Her school is lovely and she has loved it there since reception. We are keeping in touch and her teachers and HT said we are doing the right thing. Can you believe that?

Joyn.

Your dc is lucky with the lessons, we were refused as they said there wasn't space in the school. Although there was enough room for y5/6. It sounds like you are supported quite well with half hour lessons etc. My problem was really the lack of cooperation and the fact they put her on a list which I only found out about today. Solos in church for y5/6 when dd can sing in Italian, Latin etc. All learnt herself with me helping her via translation and pronounciation websites. She has won competitions and known for her beautiful voice (not boasting, just a bit of background)

My question though is should we have been informed that dd was on a list?

More than - when I posted before I hadn't realised she didn't have any music lessons in school, (started writing then got called away, so cross posted). My ds was allowed to start instrument lessons in yr 2 & the teacher is through the lea (we pay for his lessons). The older kids do get priority, but there were spaces. I don't even know who the schools music specialist, so it could be a similar set up to your school(?)

With regard to the list. Yes we were told. The schools g&t policy states that parents should be informed, but this isn't a general requirement, schools come up with their own policies - they don't even have to keep a list any more. And I've heard other people (on here) say they've find out by accident etc.

Hi -
We have County ensembles for most music genres, and if a child is able enough, already plays/sings etc they can probably join, but that is off the school sites, at the local performing arts centre.

25 years ago our DS, who had 'played' electronic organ from six months old, started recorder quite early on at school. Around Year 4 or 5 he wanted to play saxophone, but we were told he was too young, so he did a couple of years of trombone. HOWEVER, we subsequently discovered there was no lower age limit for sax, obviously assuming a child is physically strong enough for the instrument. At Year 6 he did start sax.

He also did piano, and got a few grades. When he went to Grammar school we fully expected he would need to wait until Yr 9 or 10 before he could join the school Jazz Band, but because he could already play well he went straight in at Year 7.

He also joined the County jazz band, and was one of the youngest members in their 'training' band, before moving up to the 'senior' band. In all these ensembles he played in concerts from time to time. He got Grade 5 theory, and Grade 8 on sax. He did 'A' level music at school. Now aged 29 he plays local jam sessions and occasional paid gigs.

So, if a child has the aptitude and is prepared to work, it seems tragic if a school/LA is not prepared to support their endeavours.

Also, age has very little bearing on what a precocious musical talent can achieve: it's fortunate that Mozart and Bach were not bound by local authority regulations!!

So, do all you can to support and encourage your child, and fight arbitrary regulations as much as you can!

Good Luck.

Afraid the situation isn't really that different from in Mozart's days: the heavy slog to provide tuition has to be provided by the parents. If old Leopold had sat back and waited for his local authority to kick in, he might have waited a long time. Iirc he slogged his guts out teaching his boy and hauling him round the courts of Europe.

If it's any consolation, it is the same with children who have an unusual talent for gymnastics or art or dance or swimming: they will be given the usual PE or art lessons but not taught to their level. To be fair, it would be horrendously expensive to provide the appropriate tuition for e.g. a potential Olympics gymnastic or swimmer.

Our local authority is good for out of school activities which dd attends regularly, so my complaint isn't really with them. It was the oddness of the school with the G&T register, not telling us and also there being no provision at school until y5 when other schools clearly receive teachers in school from y2. At present we pay £40 per week to the private sector for tuition, this could easily have gone to the LEA who charge around the same price. Thank goodness the LEA have been good for out of school opportunities.
We are still able to access these next year, which was obviously one of our criteria for deciding on Home ed.
I wasn't aware that schools were under no obligation to inform parents their child was on the register. Maybe they didn't as they don't have provision, so it was meaningless really.

I think its fairly bog standard for music lessons to be a total utter waste of time. My son is in year 5 and loves singing. I doult your daughter is missing anything by not being in the school choir. Most schools have no clue on how to teach singing and the result is hideous.

Have you considered your daughter joining a church choir that is affliated to the Royal School of Church Music. She would work through medals, learn how to sing and music theory. She might also be paid for singing at services and weddings.

Thanks reallyTired, I had considered church choir when we begin H.ed and we'll have more time. I wasn't aware of the Royal school affiliation though, thanks very much. Are these usually only found in Cathedral, City, or do you find them in towns also?

Morethan, I don't know where in the country you are but if you are anywhere in the North East then the Sage Gateshead has a Young Musicians programme that take children from age 8.
Also our local authority music service has various choirs and ensembles and my children access these as home ed kids.

My dd had similar music issues in school, and loves being home ed as she gets to spend hours playing her horn and practicing piano.

"rules" "G&T register"
simple answer - there are none as it has absolutely no binding status and kids are put on it randomly.
Both my kids are G&T for RE - not bad for a family of atheists ; I think the teacher was desperate and knew we'd find it funny

Music is clearly very important to your family, so I think you have made a good choice to home ed. From a primary school's point of view, first off, music is a foundation subject so gets very little curriculum time. You may find a more motivated or a bigger school has better access to lessons or groups or choirs, but then that doesn't seem to be your issue either as she gets so much input at home. I agree that the school has been a bit daft to exclude her from things if they know about her talent.

G&T registers are hard. We have lots of discussions in our school because the children on the register for expressive arts and sport are generally the children who have had lots of input from home. We have had children on our talented list who have been very good at ballroom dancing/swimming/judo/golf, but there was no way whatsoever the school could support them - although some of the children were allowed days off on occasion to travel to competitions.

Other teachers may not agree with me, but I can say easily if a child is gifted at reading, writing or maths because I do so much assessment and provide opportunitites to stretch them to their limits in those subjects. I cannot say that I do that very often in music - but then I don't think I've ever had a truly talented musical child come through my class.

"Are these usually only found in Cathedral, City, or do you find them in towns also?"

Yes, most towns have an RSCM church choir. The children follow exactly the same training as those in cathedral choirs although they progress through the medals more slowly because they tend to practice 2 hours a week rather than 16 hours.

Prehaps the RSCM would be able to tell you your nearest choir. Our town has two RSCM choirs. I also think that joining an RSCM choir would give your daughter social opportunities.

There are also summer courses that your daughter might enjoy when she is older.

See this page to find RSCM in your region.

www.rscm.com/ukIreland/areas/index.php

Reallytired, thank you so very very much. I don't know how I have missed this as I've been looking for a while now.

Reallytired, thank you so very very much. I don't know how I have missed this as I've been looking for a while now.