Should I Let Her Start The Next Grade? Options

[allegretto4]

Hi,

I have a young pupil doing the transfer test in school this autumn. She is going well in her preparation for her G3 piano exam (would probably get a merit at this stage) but still needs a spurt of hard work between now and the exam if she is going to achieve the Distinction which her mum is very keen for her to get!

Mum asked if she could postpone sitting the exam till next Spring because of the transfer test but wants me to start work meanwhile on Grade 4. I prefer not to start her on the next grade before she gets this one! (I have already skipped her over G2 to do G3). I also explained that its not just about exams, etc. but mum is very keen for her to go up the grades asap! I also feel that the child has 'peaked' as far as G3 goes and to keep going till Spring is too much!

Having said all that, the last thing I want is to put this child under too much pressure (she seem to take most things in her stride!).

I would be interested to know what other teachers would have done in this situation.

Many thanks in advance.

[Robodoc]

At the risk of being shot down:

Certainly there is a jump between grades - there would be no point if there wasn't. Certainly, as has been pointed out, you wouldn't be happy to move on too quickly. Equally, I hope, nor would you be happy to hold her back unnecessarily. Furthermore, as has been pointed out, grades are a marker for progress but not by any means the only one. If your pupil is making progress why worry about the exams?

If you think she would probably get a merit at grade 3 if she sat it today, I would ask 2 questions: Firstly, if you make her wait until Spring she might upgrade to a distinction, but she might not - you say she has "peaked" - what then would be the benefit of the delay? Secondly, if she actually sat (and presumably passed) the exam today then what would you do with her tomorrow? You might not start straight in on grade 4 but might you start on preparatory work? If so, why not skip grade 3 as you skipped grade 2 (I personally don't think missing 2 or even 1-7 matters a jot) and teach to the pupils ability (as you portray it) rather than being straight-jacketed by the exam timetable?

As for the mum's desires for her daughter, you may have a problem: She is keen for 2 things but they would appear incompatible. I would push for actual progress over mere exam results every time.

Finally, you have said what you feel and what the mother feels: What does the pupil think?

[amycatherine]

I would actually agree with Robodoc. I personally only did grades 1, 4 and 8. Point out to the parents that in working for an exam, you are spending up to 6 months just learning 3 pieces. The same time could be spent learning up to 10 or even more - and therefore allowing her to progress onto the next level.

If the school exam is the focus at the moment, forget grade 3, push her onto the next repertoire book you use and just tell the mum the pieces are preparation pieces for grade 4. Then everyone is happy. The learning of the grade 3 pieces will certainly not be wasted.

Good luck.