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.

[andante]

It depends on what is involved in the entrance tests. In some areas it is common entrance where you take one exam and it goes to all the selective schools. In our area the grammar schools each set their own exam (two weekends in early December), and there is an academy that has it's own exam (October). The grammar exams could be on the date you are offered for the music exam, and are quite likely to be the same week. My daughter will be sitting them this autumn and I wouldn't be too happy with the idea of a music exam too. The week of the exams we will cut down on other activities as she needs to be mentally and physically relaxed.