Does your school do Blood Brothers in Year 8?

[gaelicfootball]

I'm wondering how common it is for schools to do this play in Year 8, and whether parents write letters when they do. I've heard mixed views on whether its suitable, but wondering what Mumsnetters' actual experiences with it are.

Can't remember what year but certainly DS1 did it. He didn't do drama after Y9 so that is the latest it would have been. DS2 is currently in Y8 and I wouldn't have a problem. I have seen it several times on stage. What are your concerns?

I would have thought it was a year 9+ play but I don't think doing it in year 8 is particularly shocking- particularly at this time of year.

What is your objection? Are they doing the whole play? Extraxts?

I haven't read the play myself yet (got it on order) and from what I've heard about it I have no objection to it - but I've been told that some parents might object to it. Just wondering if that's the experience in other schools.

It's not especially contra rail
Just a tragedy really - no worse than Shakespeare. It's brilliant though

*contraversial

I love this play!! Nothing that bad in it at all, maybe a bit of minor swearing and violence

Why would it not be suitable? I'm an English teacher btw

It was the swearing that was cited as the reason parents might object. I'm just wondering if that concern is borne out by experience. (So far the slightly bewildered reaction suggest not, which is what I was hoping for!)

there are a few instances of characters saying fuck and a fairly limited reference to porn films which goes above the heads of most tbf. I've only ever taught it as a GCSE text for lower abilities and it is perfect for them - accessible, humorous, big themes etc. Year 8 possibly a bit young imo.

But this is happening now. Texts that were traditionally KS4 are sitting unused in stock cupboards thanks to Goves reformed curriculum so are being bumped down to younger year groups (of mice and men being the prime eg of this.)

We did our day out. I would have loved to do bb!

The swearing
Have you been in a high school lately?
The kids have used words I've not even heard of

It's going back a bit, but DD2 did Blood Brothers and Blue Remembered Hills. (DD2 is nearly 26, so 10 years ago !
No issues with BB at all - I don't particularly recall it being very sweary. We went to see it just before their exams in London, it was brilliant to compare the ways that DD played Mrs Johnston, and how she was played professionally.
Blue remembered hills I HATED. I don't think it's a nice play, or suitable for that year group. DD didn't mind it though.

I did it in year 11! I think year 8 will be okay, as the theatre play is suitable for 12 year olds and over!

MrsKeats. Er yes. I work in one. Of course the language the kids use makes hair curl. But there is a difference between kids using it in the playground and being asked to read it aloud in a classroom. It wouldn't bother me terribly (I have a dd in Y8) but I know I would get the odd parent who was very uncomfortable with it.

A bit dated but would probably go down well with year 8, actually.

Traditionally more of a GCSE text (usually for lower ability whilst top set do Death of a Salesman or The Crucible or An Inspector Calls, IME) - but I agree with walrus. Someone has dug it out of the stock cupboard & put it to use in year 8 since the new GCSE spec went all 'pale, male & stale'.

Ds will be in year 8 in September & I'd be perfectly happy for him to study it.

I am an English teacher and a parent complained about the language in 'Of Mice and Men'. Her son in yr9 had only read a few pages, but she saw the word 'bastard' on a homework quotation sheet and phoned to complain and to insist he did not study the text. Sadly, the school pandered to her and he sat out of the lessons. She would have a fit if her son brought 'Blood Brothers' home! It's on the GCSE syllabus, so it will be interesting if their current class teacher chooses it.

Blood Brothers is still on the Literature GCSE syllabus.

I've taught it pretty much every year for about 11 years.

There are a couple of 'fucks' and some 'piss offs'. Generally these just serve to make the text all the more attractive because, and I cannot stress this enough, they absolutely love it. It's like catnip to them.

My 2 both did it at GCSE. I took them to the theatre to see it and we were sat next to a family with 2 young children and I remember thinking this was not suitable at all. I wouldn't have taken an under 12 to see it. We loved it - it was one of the best plays I have seen

DD read it in year 8!or 9 and we went to see the play. I hate swearing, but loved the play.