Parents fussing about exam times. Options

[linda.ff]

I've never had this problem before, but among the nine pupils I have entered for ABRSM exams this term, three are doing the prep test, and in all three cases the parents have exhibited surprise that the exam is during school time, and that they can't request a date and time. Two have emailed me this week to say they might not be free to take their child to the exam and asking what they are supposed to do if their child's time falls at a time when they are working.

Even though I don't drive, I have taken responsibility for children and got them to and from the exam by bus in the past, though I am a bit worried as to what will happen if my candidates are called at a time of day which would mean my cancelling or re-schedulaing a bunch of pupils, as my timetable has very little room for manoevre. All of these parents seem to feel the situation is unreasonable. I've never met this before.

I've just told them to "keep calm, it may never happen", in other words, we will get four weeks' notice, and we can try to work round it when the appointmenr is published.

[Scooby Doo]

I've never had this problem before, but among the nine pupils I have entered for ABRSM exams this term, three are doing the prep test, and in all three cases the parents have exhibited surprise that the exam is during school time, and that they can't request a date and time. Two have emailed me this week to say they might not be free to take their child to the exam and asking what they are supposed to do if their child's time falls at a time when they are working.

Even though I don't drive, I have taken responsibility for children and got them to and from the exam by bus in the past, though I am a bit worried as to what will happen if my candidates are called at a time of day which would mean my cancelling or re-schedulaing a bunch of pupils, as my timetable has very little room for manoevre. All of these parents seem to feel the situation is unreasonable. I've never met this before.

I've just told them to "keep calm, it may never happen", in other words, we will get four weeks' notice, and we can try to work round it when the appointmenr is published.

I guess this is the first time for these parents and they don't know how the system works. Maybe they didn't do music exams themselves as children and it is all new to them?

What are they supposed to do if the exam is at a time when they are working? Get round it like everybody else or withdraw their child from the exam - simples. Next time you are entering a newbie, perhaps better explain how it works at the outset?!

With this much notice, surely they can make some sort of arrangement. Perhaps they are just leaning on you to see if they can make you solve their problem. Just explain politely that it is their responsibility to get their child to the exam at the time appointed. You may be able to change the order of candidates or in an extreme case ring the Board and ask for a change of day / time, but I wouldn't mention this unless things get really desperate, or you will be pressured into doing it just to suit their convenience.

[chraze1]

Is it just because they will have problems getting time off work or are they worried about their kids missing some time off school?
I'm not sure how the school system works everywhere but I know in Scotland that as long as the school is advised the child will be absent to sit a music exam, they are not marked off. Maybe you could investgate that and if it's the case with their school, it might make the parents slightly happier?

Not sure if that helps at all!!
Good luck

[JudithJ]

If you do transport their child, so that they don't have to take time off work, then I hope that you will demonstrate very clearly that you have to take time off work to help them - and charge them accordingly. (I'd also go by taxi rather than bus - but that is perhaps just me being nervous about getting to an exam by public transport.)

[porilo]

Parents taking their children to the exam? I've never heard of such a thing. I always take my pupils to exams myself. I wouldn't even think of asking parents to do that. It's not their job. Obviously I charge them for travelling etc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[lorraineliyanage]

I quite clearly state before I do the entry that all exams are within school hours so that they know the deal before handing over the entry fee.

I also send a PDF beforehand with all the possible questions they could ask: Location, where to park, how long to get there, which buses, what to bring, what to do, what not to do etc etc. It doesn't stop parents asking information that is already on there but it goes a small way to helping me not repeat myself in many emails!

None of my students have ever been marked as absent for a music exam. All the schools in Southwark and Lambeth have been quite happy to let them have the time off to attend. Only one parent said the school had said she cannot go in school hours. As I knew the head of music at the school, I checked and he said that is nonsense, the parent had never asked and of course he would let the daughter go to a piano exam. The parent obviously meant that they couldn't take the time off work...

[Czerny]

None of my students have ever been marked as absent for a music exam. All the schools in Southwark and Lambeth have been quite happy to let them have the time off to attend. Only one parent said the school had said she cannot go in school hours. As I knew the head of music at the school, I checked and he said that is nonsense, the parent had never asked and of course he would let the daughter go to a piano exam. The parent obviously meant that they couldn't take the time off work...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Honestly, what a nerve!

How is this any different to taking time of for a child who is ill or has an appointment at the doctor or dentist? And I'll bet these same parents don't necessarily schedule their own medical appointments outside working hours if it's not convenient to do so. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[FullofWind]

As a parent, I'd be pretty miffed if my child had been entered for an exam, at my expense of course, and not been made aware that I may need to take time of work to get them there. My children have always done them in school so I do not know the exam protocol. Being totally clueless, I would have probably assumed it took place at the teachers house during the child's normal music lesson.

[lorraineliyanage]

As I knew the head of music at the school, I checked and he said that is nonsense, the parent had never asked and of course he would let the daughter go to a piano exam. The parent obviously meant that they couldn't take the time off work...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Honestly, what a nerve!

I don't mind what excuse the parents give, but I did let them know I had followed it up and the school had given permission, so they had the all clear to attend the exam - yippee!!

I use Special Visits now so that at least the date is fixed well in advance, but the sessions tend to be around late-morning onwards, so time off work and school will always be necessary. Perhaps I should add something to my Terms and Conditions that if you want to take exams, these will always be on weekdays during working hours. Or I can mention it to parents before the student starts working on a graded exam.

[owainsutton]

None of my students have ever been marked as absent for a music exam. All the schools in Southwark and Lambeth have been quite happy to let them have the time off to attend. Only one parent said the school had said she cannot go in school hours. As I knew the head of music at the school, I checked and he said that is nonsense, the parent had never asked and of course he would let the daughter go to a piano exam. The parent obviously meant that they couldn't take the time off work...

No school anywhere should have a problem with it, because the category it comes under is 'Educated off the premises', the same as a school trip, and therefore doesn't count as an absence at all.

[Seer_Green]

When I send out invoices for the exam fees, I also send out a sheet like Lorraine detailing all the info they need - possible dates, times, venue, length of exam, how long results take etc. I send this to everybody, whether it's their first exam or not because people never remember this sort of information!

In 11 years, I've only had to reschedule two exams: one for an adult pupil who was working away that week (we moved it to the next week) and one for a girl where it clashed with an A Level exam (we moved it to a different centre the following week). As for taking time off work/school, I've never found this a problem for anyone.

I don't drive so I can't help with getting them there. It's never been an issue for any of them, and actually, some have organised it amongst themselves to give lifts to each other (and often collect me too).

[gwyntdi-enw]

Here in the Back of Beyond pupils are given permission to attend exams, but schools still take the time off their attendance record, so anyone taking music exams cannot possibly gain 100% attendance, even if they are not absent for any other reason during the year. (Unlike pupils representing their schools for sports events, but that is another gripe entirely!). Without exception parents are responsible for getting the pupils to the exam, and often for arranging an accompanist, sometimes with only a few weeks notice.

[porilo]

Down here exams are always on Saturdays so no problem with children having to take time off school.

[dorabella x]

I've only ever had one problem in all the years I have been teaching. Mother of said child did not like day or time allocated for her exam. She rang the board and cancelled the slot. Not realising the session was on its last day of that period, she ended up driving 50 miles in extremely bad weather to the only other available centre. I think she was a bit wiser after that. Yes, I did explain session times etc to her, but her comment was her hairdresser's appointment was far more important!

Result!

Best wishes

Dorabella x

[Roseau]

As a parent, I'd be pretty miffed if my child had been entered for an exam, at my expense of course, and not been made aware that I may need to take time of work to get them there. My children have always done them in school so I do not know the exam protocol. Being totally clueless, I would have probably assumed it took place at the teachers house during the child's normal music lesson.

I genuinely legally can't take time off work and would be absolutely horrified if I suddenly discovered that I was expected to take time off work to accompany a child somewhere. I would be expected to be told before the exam entry went in so that I could, if necessary, decline to have them entered.