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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

why same children given leading role every year

118 replies

ROSY2016 · 14/12/2016 13:00

hi all,
why same children given leading role every year. how do school choses the role for each children. Is it teachers choice ?

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Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 00:26

yalvamoon I just asked others opinion and I am not the only one feel like this.

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WyfOfBathe · 15/12/2016 00:34

I don't get you Bert? What you trying to say?
She was saying that if you think that it would help your DD, then join the PTA. She's not saying that it actually will help your DD.

I'm sure it happens occasionally, especially in the younger years where there probably aren't auditions so it is all down to the teacher's overall judgement of the children. But that doesn't mean that every time a PTA member's child gets a role, it's through nepotism. Also, you might not always know the teacher's intentions - they may have chosen the most responsible or confident children, but they may have chosen children who they think could benefit from the experience because it might boost their confidence.

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 00:42

Thank you for clarifying, as English is not my first language.

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jennielou75 · 15/12/2016 06:23

In our school year 1 do a dance during one song and sing all the songs. The speaking parts are shared out amongst year 2. I spent nearly 3 hours making sure 60 speaking parts were available by sharing it out e.g we had 6 town criers instead of 3, 16 narrators instead of 4 etc. It is a job and a half but it makes it fair. Those who didn't want to speak had group responses e.g sheep saying baaaa!

Thisjustinno · 15/12/2016 06:30

I honestly don't understand how adults give even a tiny shit who gets what role in a primary school nativity. It doesn't matter.

Devilishpyjamas · 15/12/2016 06:43

My middle son always gets/got a lot of largeish parts.

I've never set foot near the PTA, am not a governor & have a severely disabled son so barely did the school run & was rarely at the school - certainly wasn't/am not buttering up the teachers.

My middle son however has been in West End tours (so sung solos in very large theatres) & been in various (not very well known) films. Acting is his thing & I suspect he was chosen because they knew he'd a) remember his lines and b) not freak out at being on stage. He isn't ever really picked for sports teams though as he isn't that good at sport (loves it, but there are many better than him).

My youngest couldn't act his way out of a paper bag & was given parts that reflected that. As he became more confident and more able to speak out he was given more to say. He is rather good at sport though & was picked for teams a lot more than ds2.

There's nothing fun about watching a child burst into tears because they're overwhelmed by the number of people looking at them & so I suspect teachers choose the ones who are most likely to not freak out. Being able to read/remember lines under pressure will increase a child's chances of a part more than whether mum is dishing up cakes & mince pies after the play.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 15/12/2016 06:45

You need to tread carefully here. I mused gently (so as not to upset her) after yet another show in which dd1 did nothing why she always had small non-speaking roles. She is a good reader, happy, confident - although I am not on PTA. Dd2 said 'oh the teacher asked me to do but I didn't want to so I said no and X did it instead'. Likewise ds has made the same choice. If your child really wants to do more then maybe raise in mid March that you wondered whether in next class assembly she could do a little bit more as it would be good for her confidence. Alternatively find a drama club outside of school with regular opportunities for shows and then it won't matter if she doesn't have big parts in school.

Oblomov16 · 15/12/2016 06:50

We have this at my school and it seems a shame. The same children get the roles. And I'm allowed to say this because ds2 always gets a role of some description (shepherd for example). But I just think that some of the quieter children do deserve a chance.

MollyHuaCha · 15/12/2016 07:11

It's wrong. But the reason it happens is because the school thinks it is putting on a show and the show has to be as good as possible. If they put timid children in main roles, the show may not flow as well. The head teacher and governors will praise if the show is perceived to be good. They forget that this is not a professional theatre production, but a chance for children to learn and grow, shine. All some kids ever learn is that they are less worthy than others. It's rubbish.

MiaowTheCat · 15/12/2016 07:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thatdearoctopus · 15/12/2016 08:31

Would people be querying why the same children most times are selected to play for the football/netball tournament squads? Or do you accept that a modicum of interest/talent is required when representing the school in sports, and that other, additional opportunities are provided for those not in the team.

BertrandRussell · 15/12/2016 08:33

There was a thing on Facebook yesterday "There are two types of parent. Those who care whether their daughter is Mary in the Nativity-and liars."

user789653241 · 15/12/2016 08:57

My ds did narrator for reception, yr1, yr2, 3 years in a row. Because he speaks very clearly. He hated it. Now yr3 onwards, school asks children what they want to do, he doesn't need to be in speaking part anymore. He can't be bothered about nativity.
I am not a member of anything, nor volunteer at school.

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 09:14

Everybody talking about mary.mary is the least speaking role. I am talking about speaking role, even donkey or sheep they give few lines .If the child doesnt want to do that , thats absolutely fine.But if the child is more capable, confident reader why they shouldnt ask the child. Children always complain to the parent .Then people says oh parent have some issues what their child should be in the leading role or they want to be mary. From even other issues even academic then they will come other way oh that parent pushy parent.

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user789653241 · 15/12/2016 09:29

Rosy, you need to do something in real life if you are so angry. Complaining on internet doesn't achieve anything.
At our school, speaking part always used to go to confident children who stand out.

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 09:37

Yes thats true.Even in life complaing do nothing.

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user789653241 · 15/12/2016 09:49

If your dd wants a speaking part in plays, assembly, etc., let her tell the teacher herself.(not you.)
Only confident child will be able to do that at young age, and I'm sure it will make an impression on the teacher.

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 10:04

She asked the teacher, she wanted be class rep for school council then teacher told only one can be chosen.my dd said she wanted dancing or talking part. I told her why you didnt ask teacher , she said then teacher will say no and we cant chose what we like. She always put her hands up as I noticed various easter service, Harvest festival when they ask questions about easter and harvest festivals. So eventhough they are confident to chose their role ,final choice is teachers decision

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user789653241 · 15/12/2016 10:21

I see. That sound discouraging.
Since she volunteered several times already and still doesn't get a role, maybe you should raise the issue with the teacher at next parent evening or something, that your dd is unhappy and disappointed that she never gets anything?

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 10:36

that's what I am thinking to mention it to the teacher. I am only happy about school is its 5 minutes walkable distance from home, as I dont drive.

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Ginmummy1 · 15/12/2016 11:49

If your DD is genuinely keen, confident, participates well and has tried to express interest in being given a role on a number of occasions it might be worth mentioning it to the teacher, but I’d do so very carefully and not in any accusatory way.

Are you certain there’s nothing else that might be the reason your daughter has not yet been picked? Is her speech really clear? Does she behave well at school? Can she follow instructions? Is she level headed? Does she show a good level of care in doing her homework? (this last question shows parental involvement)

I am just trying to think of reasons why a teacher may not have given a keen child a part. I guess good speech and reliability are likely to be high on their list of criteria.

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 12:18

Ginmummy she has all the qualities you mentioned. I didn't mentioned a lot of things it will look like a self bosting. She is very confident speaker from nursery her one line was very clear and loud in many nativities, preschool graduation ceremony plays, the one line is the maximum.basically my child was at same school nursery for two years and in school two years. So I am watching them in each and every play or school council or whatever the same faces for four years in leading roles.

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Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 12:21

Ginmummy Thats what my worry is I am good at writing but not good at speaking or expressing things not in accusatory way.

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user789653241 · 15/12/2016 12:42

So she does get speaking part in every play, but not the main role, that's your problem?
In that case, maybe there are others who are more confident, have good speech, reliable, etc?
I agree with what Ginmummy said up thread, it sometimes looks like children of pta/governors etc. are getting better parts, but I think it's more to do with children's personality. Sociable, confident parents' child is likely to be the same.(Of course there are other cases.)

Original poster

ROSY2016 · 15/12/2016 12:57

as you saying, so if the same children get opportunity every year, when other children going to get opporunity.

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