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Primary education

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Original poster

only 2 nativity tickets at a time, how is it done at your dcs school???

52 replies

BackUpYourPhotosNow · 01/12/2009 22:40

At my dd's school this year in order to ensure fair allocation of tickets to the nativity, the school have decided to run 4 "box offices" on 4 separate afternoons after school. Tickets are 1 pound each. You can only get tickets from the boxoffice. You can only get 2 tickets from any 1 box office, you can only collect them for other parents if you have a written request from the said parent and then the name will be written on the back to ensure that you don't try to use them for yourself .

It is preferred that children under the age of 5 only attend the dress rehearsal.

The front seats at the performances are reserved for "special guests" - govenors or ex head teachers who are given tickets free of charge, do not have to que and whose tickets are reserved for them before the tickets go on sale.

My dds grandparents wanted to go and so I qued for the 1st box office for about 20 odd mins with 5 children ( aged 5 and under) and bought the tickets for them.

I then asked a friend ( and duly provided full written request ) to get 2 for me and dp for the only performance he could go too, as she would be queing and I was collecting dd an hour later that day.

I then went to the 3rd box office to get the final ticket that I needed for my dd2 to attend with us. I had no way of knowing if I would get my last ticket and without it one of us would need to stay at home with dd2

Several parents have expressed their annoyance at how the school has managed the allocation of tickets.

So can you tell me how your school managed this feat of fairness?

Were you happy with the way they organised it?

How would you feel about this schools method?

TIA

OP posts:
nymphadora · 02/12/2009 10:59

2 Tickets per family here. Awkward as I dont particularly want to go with dds dad and anyway this year we cant go to the same times. dds also have step mum and step dadand my parents who would like to go. I can go on the waiting list for extras but they dont usually have any so we just have to put up with it. The priority has to be the parents though so at least that can be evened out.

ProfYaffle · 02/12/2009 10:59

Our tickets cost £1 each and we're allocated 2 per family. You have to hand in request forms en masse on a given day, allocated tickets then sent home with dc. You may then request extra tickets if there are any left on a first come first served basis.

Dd1 is only in Yr 1 so they only do afternoon performances. From Yr 2 they do evenings performances too. I've not had a problem getting tickets so far but dh can't get time off work this year so dd2 and I will attend. Once we move onto evening performances and will need 3 tickets I'm not sure what will happen.

LadyGlenChristmasPresent · 02/12/2009 10:59

Ours give two tickets per family (two performances) and you are allowed to request a third ticket which you will be allocated if there are spares. Letters are sent out in bookbags and you return the slip with your request on it. Under-fives are allowed but you are asked to take them out of the performance if they kick off.
OP, the system at your schools sounds bizarrely complicated and less than fair.

LadyGlenChristmasPresent · 02/12/2009 11:01

Oh, meant to say that I am a governor and certainly don't get any special treatment on that account - would be aghast if I did TBH.

sarah293 · 02/12/2009 11:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

pagwatch · 02/12/2009 11:07

with ours you have to apply through the school. You are only allowed two tickets for each of the two performances.

I was soooo glad when the school brought this in. I bloody hate the people who turn up with 37 relatives. They are also always the ones who turn up just after breakfast for an afternoon performance to nab all the front row seat - and then stand up right in front of you to video every grin, nose pick and burp from their child.

My DD got the main role in a play they did last term and when I turned up early on my own I still had to stand at the back. I went up to the front at one point just so DD could see I was actually there.

SuWoombOfImmaculateConception · 02/12/2009 11:10

2 tickets only per family. Send £1 per ticket in an envelope and tickets come home in same envelope.

Simple.

No nativity this year as DD in year 3.

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 02/12/2009 11:10

Two performances and you get three tickets total for the performance(s) of your choice (so you can have two at one performance and one at the other if you want). This is the first year that we've been there so I'm not sure what if anything happens to the unclaimed spares.

FimbleHobbs · 02/12/2009 11:24

We have an afternoon dress rehearsal that grandparents and preschoolers are allowed to go to. I presume parents are allowed in too (well I hope so as I'm planning on accompanying my 3 year old and my dad, neither of whom know their way to the school!)

Then there is an afternoon performance and an evening performance. Each family gets one ticket for each. If you are a couple and want to attend the same performance together you have to find someone to swap tickets with. Luckily its worked out ok for us this year.

The problem is that the school hall is just too small for the amount of children, let alone inviting their families too.

Ixia · 02/12/2009 11:49

Two tickets only. There are two performances, so we can't go to both unless DH goes to one and I go to the other. I don't want DD to have no one at one of the performances, but DH and I would like to go together.

AtheneNoctua · 02/12/2009 12:00

We also hire a professional to come in and film the performance and in return parents are asked not to film it. Can't remember what the cost of the video is, but there is a cost.

Also, it is the rehearsal which is filmed, not the actual show. That way if there are children whose parents don't want them filmed they be held back from the rehearsal but still appear in the actual show.

Still camera shots are allowed by parents after the show, but not during.

SoupDragon · 02/12/2009 12:05

What exactly are you unhappy about??

DS1 is singing in the choir at a performance next At morning. Tickets are free but limited to 2 per child with a box to tick if you want to be considered for any spare tickets if they are available. Applications via the school office. This is fair. People bagging more tickets than one-per-parent is unfair and mean if there is a chance that others will miss out because of that.

choosyfloosy · 02/12/2009 12:08

Different plays for different stages. No cost, no tickets. Get there early for a seat.

Madsometimes · 02/12/2009 12:16

2 tickets per family for KS1 play. Under 5's only welcome at dress rehearsal, no charge.
You can have more tickets for the KS2 plays because they are doing Y3/4 and Y5/6 so there are expected to be less parents at each performance.

Northernlurker · 02/12/2009 12:31

This really is an issue where there is an overly inflated sense of entitlement amongst some parents. Siblings do not have to attend, neither do grandparents/godmothers/step-parents etc. All any child needs is a person there to support them. After all we are talking scholl plays NOT oscar winning/life changing material. Your life will continue if you don't see it...

Just think about the numbers:

Key stage 1 play say 30 children in year one, 30 in year two and what 15? in reception (assuming a two entry a year system so more coming in January)

So 75 children plus 150 parents if two each - 225 plus goodness knows who else some people think they should be allowed to drag in = squillions of people! It's just not possible.

FernieB · 02/12/2009 12:47

Schools do not have an infinite amount of space for all the parents who want to bring grandparents/aunties etc, so the 2 ticket policy is a good one. That means every child can have both parents there. Although the box office sounds ridiculous.

For the first time this year at our school (about time too, the last few Christmas performances have been over-crowded and unpleasant) we have 2 performances and each family will be given 2 tickets for each performance. Don't think there are any rules about under 5's.

GreatGooglyMoogly · 02/12/2009 13:08

Two tickets per family. Two performances to choose from (2pm on two different days). No pre-schoolers. No dress-rehearsals. No photography or videoing.

Smithagain · 02/12/2009 13:25

Two tickets per family. Two performances - both during the school day. Extra tickets can be requested, but will only be doled out if there are spares.

Videoing and photography perfectly OK as long as only for own use.

Treatment of under 5s always unpredictable and controversial, so I'm so glad my youngest child is finally in Reception and will get to watch the dress rehearsal!

pantomimecow · 02/12/2009 13:36

Have namechanged for this !
Normally school hire village hall which has a professional stage and anyone can come to either of the 2 performances free.This year the school have 'fallen out' with the village hall , so have decided to hold the production in the school , not letting the fact that there is no room and no stage stand in their way.
We had a letter home to say there would be 3 performances and each family would be allocated 2 tickets and then on another day there would be a sign-up sheet to request extras.
I envisaged a list with numbers down to 12 say to sign against but it was just a blank sheet of paper.DH signed up for 2 more tickets so I don't know whether we have got them.I have invited the GPs now so hope I won't have to uninvite them !
We don't have to pay though although we are expected to provide costumes
DH sa

gorionine · 02/12/2009 13:38

No tickets here, there is sometimes a charity donation box when you leave the hall but there are no restrictions as to who and how many can come. Usually the parents siblings and granparents come. Most parents with very young siblings tend to sit at the back so they can easily get out if the LO makes too much noise.

pantomimecow · 02/12/2009 13:40

I have had to provide a costume for DD which has required making.As i don't have a sewing machine the MIL made it. I would feel awful if she couldn't watch it

traceybath · 02/12/2009 13:55

There are three performances of the play (nursery to year2).

You get 2 tickets guaranteed and can request additional ones.

So this year we're going on Friday with one set of grandparents and a baby and a toddler. I've also requested seats near the doors in case either baby or toddler cries. Our seats are all allocated.

A professional video is done and photos of all the children in costume were taken last week.

It seems very fair and well orgnanised.

M1SSUNDERSTOOD · 02/12/2009 14:15

In our school choice of two dates in morning. You could have up to 5 tickets and school has relented on letting under 5s in. We asked for one ticket as I am working both days and DH took day off. Got 3 tickets for some unknown reason so will invite GPs if they want to come. DS2 at nursery anyway so no plans to take him out to watch it as before we thought under5s weren't allowed anyway.

Fimbo · 02/12/2009 14:28

2 tickets only at our school either for a morning performance or afternoon performance (next Tuesday & Wednesday). The dress rehearsal is watched by parents with very young children, the nursery children and the playgroup children. School sends out a letter and you request which day and time you want to go. Spare tickets are giving out on first come, first served basis. No children whatsoever are allowed at the two main performances. We do not have to pay.

Undercovamutha · 02/12/2009 14:35

2 tickets per family (under 5s allowed I think! but have to sit on your lap!). £2 per ticket. Doesn't seem particularly complex so am happy.

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