Hi there, I entered my first 2 students for the next examintation period and I was wondering if anyone could tell me when I could expect the exam dates for my students?? I'm worried as I've never done this before so if someone could let me know that would be great.

Thanks

I generally get my appointments around half-term - I know that varies from region to region - this term I'll be looking for the post round about end of May - first week in June. If you're at the end of the exam session it could be a bit later. Good luck with your first exams !

Generally I get mine about three weeks before the exam. That should be about mid-June.

It's a great feeling two weeks or so after the exam when an envelope comes in the post and you get the certificates. Sometimes it can be more nerve-wrecking for the teacher than the pupil/parent!

Let us know how your pupils do.

Mine are often two weeks before...but I think I normally get my preferred week....and results online...I have had them a week after....on average 10 days...and then in the post the next day.... it does seem to be longer if you're in the last week.

uuuuuu, that is not much notice, at work they do my off duty 4 to 6 weeks before and it is a 4 week off-duty, by mid june my shifts for end of june and beginning of july are already done and by that time it is almost impossible to swap shifts or take the day off, will the board give me a chance to change exam date if it clashes with work? when I filled in online entry I still did not have an off duty for last 2 weeks of june and first 2 of jully so could not specify any dates.

I know it's good to be there for your pupils but if you a piano teacher? then you don't actually need to be there. I have never tried changing exam times.... I heard it was difficult.... but a pupil's parent said the other day that her daughter's piano teacher just changed them if there was a problem.

Jojo, as soon as you get the date for the exam and the on/off duty rota, should there be a clash you should e-mail the Board.

They may well be able to find you a slot at a different time (possibly at another exam venue). For example, last term my accompanist couldn't do Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays, so Andante e-mailed the board and they gave me a Monday slot - the first day of the exam season!

If there is a problem with an exam appointment the person who put in the entry can ring the board to ask for a change. Obviously this can't be guaranteed and you may be offered a different exam centre but they are helpful and will sort it out if at all possible.

I once had a lady who was a lollipop lady and her original time would have made her late getting to her crossing. I managed to get an appointment for earlier in the day on a different day.

if there's a clash I will ring them asap, thanks katyjay (fingers crossed!)

I am ALWAYS changing appointments and they are very helpful! It helps if you can alter exam centres, but they usually find another slot somewhere. Even if they can't, you can always try again a few days later as someone else moves.
My son's teachers have never suggested being there though....so unless you are accompanying, there is no need. I wouldn't expect it.

It's not actually necessary for a piano teacher to be there, but I think it's helpful & always appreciated by pupils & parents. I can't always manage it due to long teaching hours & the fact that pupils are entered in quite a few different places, but I do try & parents tell me it makes a big difference. I think it's especially important for the Prep Test. When the exams are at my teacher's house, I find it particularly useful, as I can help with the pupils' warm-ups.

It might depend on the age of your pupil, but I was not very keen on my piano teacher being at the exam centre, especially as I got older. So do not worry if you are unable to get to the centre.

I must say I'm completely against the idea of myself as a teacher being anywhere near the exam venue for the following reason:

* it would serve to make the event into too big an occasion for the pupil (best to get them used to it being a routine thing, rather than sending out signals that it's vitally important and the be-all-and-end-all. It's only an exam.

* it means that the candidate(s) would expect you to attend therever afterwards. Again, not wise. It's too much of a commitment to set yourself, especially if you have to inconvenience other pupil by putting off their lessons, etc.

* It clutters up the waiting room in a comparatively small centre and I've seen teachers who seem to exude nervous energy themselves and bring it out in their waiting pupils.

* When waiting to do my grade VIII I had to squat on the floor as the seats were all taken up by well-meaning teachers, parents, uncle Tom Cobley and all. It made me angry but I was too proud to ask for a seat. Being a gentleman it was perhaps appropriate I should have allowed others to sit down, but I was one of the few examinees in waiting, so, yes it was also annoying. (I scraped a distinction, so I'm glad I kept my cool.)

* The one exception I made to this rule was when my own teacher offered to attend the ATCL diploma with me, just for moral support and to wait in the (generously sized waiting room). She didn't interfere and was just there as a quiet support, depriving nobody else of a seat. Again, this must have been positive as I scraped through it!

LR

As a teacher I do not generally attend exams.
I like the pupil to feel that I trust them to "go and fly solo" without having me around.

I try to attend exams for my pupils whenever possible. However, this is to give them chocolate afterwards, not to fuss about and make them nervous. If they don't know their stuff by then, they aren't going to be helped by a last minute 'lesson'.

If I can't attend, they get their chocolate at the next lesson

If I can't be there...I send a Good Luck card ....with a few words of advice and calm

Thanks to all of you....I think I'm getting more nervous that the students right now!! I'll let you know how they do....

Thanks again

oh yes ! I know that feeling. Most will identify with you there I reckon.

It's even worse when you are waiting for the results...

uuuuuuuu, I hope my teacher will do that for me too!