What can I say to school to get them on my side?

[Georgeoliver]

Hi my ds has been modelling for a few years now and has been in a couple of tv commercials. With castings and jobs we have always been quite lucky and managed to shoot in holidays, weekends or after school. Recently though he has been called to castings and some straight jobs a lot more and during school time. He has missed out on lots because of school. An example is, a fitting has been offered tonight after school which is fine but the shoot will be 2 days over the next 6 days, so would probably be on to school days. Not all jobs are licenced so it's down to me to ask school. He attends a drama school aswell so agency said they will start to send him for more tv commercials castings. He has had some sickness in past and I really don't want to lie to school and say he is sick. He has never been taken out of school for holidays abroad ect like I know some mummy's have done. I was thinking of writing to the head teacher explaining what ds does and that I am asking for the schools support. Attendance throughout the whole school has been a bit of an issue so I'm worried the head will just say sorry NO. Please any napm's out there... Do you have any advice as to what to write in my letter to the head teacher as I just haven't a clue where to start. I would only ever be asking for a few days here and there but they are normally always short notice. If a shoot for modelling or tv goes over a good few days/week I know it would always be liscenced. Just need some good examples of what to say and how to convince head to let ds have authorised absence from school..

[Flosmom]

My advice is not to write to the head teacher. Go to see him/her and talk it through face to face. You might be pleasantly surprised how supportive they are when they understand exactly what your DS is doing.

It's worth expressing it in terms of its educational value - team work, technology, whatever value your DS gets out if it the school will need to know.

Schools are judged on a number if things including the volume of unauthorised absence. Ideally, you need to find a way for your DS's absences to be noted as 'educated elsewhere' which is possible if you can demonstrate that he is engaging with something that is extending his knowledge. And you can also look into flexi-schooling for him, which is a half-way house between school-based education and home schooling.

I'd start from the assumption that your DS is going to progress this exciting activity and you want to make sure that your arrangements are in harmony with what the school needs too, rather than that the school will disapprove. Schools like successful children, your DS might be a real feather in their cap and in any case they'll want to take an interest in the 'whole child'.

Good luck - expect success

Deb x

[sapphire]

I would just echo Debs advice ... I approached the headteacher directly and he was very supportive and DD's absence for castings/filming are always marked as educated elsewhere so it does not reflect badly on the schools attendance rates. Now she is in sixth form, some of her subject teachers have been less supportive and have had words about needing to get her priorities straight, but DD works hard to make sure she catches up with work she has missed and never hands in homework late ... she has even been known to work at night when away filming and e-mail essays to teachers so she doesn't miss the deadline and generally gets marks above her target grade so they can't really complain It does mean she is busy, but it has also taught her to manage her time well and to write good essays quickly ... which is important in exams

[2dancersmum]

I agree with Deb. I would make an appointment with the head of the school and explain your situtation. Whenever my DD misses school now for dance in her case, I have to write a note to her head of year, rather than her form tutor so that her absence can be classed as educational visit. As long as she keeps up with her work, they have been very supportive. The odd teacher gives extensions on homeworks but generally it is down to my DD to find out what she has missed and catch up. My DD is now year 11 and has not had any problems.

[islandofsodor]

All jobs that require missing school have to be licensed, it isn't optional. In fact there are only limited circumstances where a license is not needed.

I guess it is probably harder for modelling as some teachers would not see the value. Perhaps having a vision of the stereotypical supermodel in their heads.

I have never had a problem getting time off for dd for performing but everything has been licensed and she has no where near reached her maximum days.

You added problem is probably the castings. You possibly need to limit and negotiate the number of school hours castings with the head.

[whitepudding]

In my County Council 'all work' for children has to be licenced regardless of time off school.

I only have to seek permission from school for those days /hours time off required - which if for a long contract would effect the whole licence, but schools we have been at always been great.

We have never had to seek permission from school on a licence for out of school hours work.


I have heard that unlicenced work can stop your children working in furture if they get caught doing unlicenced work,obviously if child is older enough for no licence then that's okay.

Hope the school help out.

[Georgeoliver]

Wow I only posted today and already have comments back, thank you so so much for your advice
Thinking about it, I do feel it would be better to arrange a meeting with the head teacher so will think about what I'm going to say and go for it. I think with dancing/acting it would be alot easier but with modelling I just really dont know how I can get head on my side ! My son is nearly seven so still young and doesn't have lots of homework, just a weekly spelling test and reading that we always do on the train going into London.
As for expressing educational value when modelling, it's easy when he is shooting on location like the Next TV commercial he filmed in Paris. He learnt so much on that long weekend away. Shooting in a studio though, I'm not sure what I would say.

Islandofsodor I will be checking up and doing some research on the license situation. Ds gets calls to model for people he has done shoots for before and they are always so last minute so maybe that's why they don't mention a license. I don't think I would get one sorted in the time they give as my LEA normally want 7 days.

Thanks again all you napm's

[islandofsodor]

Some (not all) local authorities will grant a 6 month open licence for modelling (mine will do it for modelling but not acting but a neighbouring LA will do it for both) so perhaps the client assumes you have this in place.

In general you need a licence if your ds is missing school, being paid or performing/working for more than 4 days in 6 months.

[ruby95]

I have an understanding with my school that I can miss school for filming/ rehearsals as long as a I don't miss school for auditions. Maybe you could try that?

[Dell71]

My dd is 7 and her school don't mind her missing school at all. I do however try not to miss too much school and so far she has only had to miss 3 days. When she first started out I just asked the head in person who was over the moon for my dd and said it wouldn't be a problem. In our school it goes down as a 'other authorised absence' and doesn't even go against her attendance score. The school fully support my dd and even try to come and see her performing

She did require a performing licence to miss school for which we had to send a letter of support from the head authorising the absences.

Also, I don't know if they're all the same but my dd's agency provide a tutor if she is to miss 3 consecutive days who contatcs the school and follows the schools teaching plans.

My friend has a child in modelling and their school encourage them also. They actually like him to go on jobs as it helps with his confidence as up until he started working as a model he was very shy.

[Georgeoliver]

I'm really hoping school will be on my side. I won't be asking for lots of days off as I wouldn't want him to miss lots of days anyway. Just as I thought though... Had casting and just had a call to say they want to shoot ds this Monday so he is going to need a day off! Haven't had time to prepare what I'm going to say or speak to head teacher so now I really don't know what to do. I really don't want to lie or encourage my ds to lie!! I've picked up a holiday/ leave of absence form and was thinking about sending it back later today and see what happens. It's got a small section asking the reason why I'm taking ds out of school and I don't know where to start....

[riverdancefan]

Feel for you!
You have realised you need to be honest from the start which is the right way to go, fibbing and throwing sickkies will be a disaster and always found out.
You can only ask and put your point across...these jobs are paid and it's a great thing to be able to put money away for their future.
There is nothing you can do if the Head decides to be difficult, ultimately it is their decision, if you can convince him that your DS is not going to miss out on schooling and fall behind, hopefully he will be on your side.
I agree it is harder to justify modeling than it is performing(or it has been in my case and personal experience)
fingers crossed for you, but if you feel THAT strongly and you don't get the answers you want, you may have to look at changing schools or home-schooling....some other NAPMs have had to do this..

[DanceDiva]

What a dilemma and one that luckily we havent come across yet.

We have had to take DD's out of school to compete in dance competitions and have tried to work with the school and the curriculum.
We have always asked the teachers what they would be missing that day and offered to do homework / extra study on the train or even suggested that our DD's work through breaks / lunch hours to catch up.

Thankfully it hsant come to that yet but I think that if you can show the staff that you are not shunning school work in favour of the modelling / dancing but that both can work together than they are a little more amenable to time off.
Other mums have lots more experience and advice than I have though but just wanted to wish you luck xx

[Georgeoliver]

Ok I'm going to have to complete the form and attach a short letter to the head today for Monday! Writing really isn't my strongest point Please let me know if you think there is anything I can add. Dancediva I shall be adding in that I am willing to take any school work on the train for him to complete on journey and also during his breaks and will also do his spellings and reading so thanks for that.
The school have no idea that ds does modelling or performing arts! Here goes...
Ds has been into performing arts and modelling from a young age since he was approached and signed by an agent. He has featured in tv commercials, been part of shows at her majesty's theatre and does modelling for many well known companies including Next, Debenhams, Burberry,John Lewis, littlewoods, shop direct and many more. He has also recently been signed by a tv/film agent. I understand the importance of attending each school day and have turned down many opportunities for ds due to not wanting him to miss school. I also want to support him along the way in what he is doing as he enjoys it so much and it's a great way to save for his future (thanks Riverdancefan)
Ds has been chosen to do a shoot on Monday 19th march and therefor I am requesting he can take this day as authorised absence please.
What do you think? Shall I change it in any way? I'm running out of time
Thanks everyone

[Dell71]

I think that sounds fine BUT personally I would say all that in person rather than a letter especially as you need to know fairly quickly. If you go in person or maybe phone to ask, you are there to answer any questions.

Modelling is still educational as it is providing valuable social skills. As I mentioned earlier my friends sons school encourage him as it has brought him out of his shell and give him confidence. He was so shy when he started out. They're not just having photographs taken, he has to listen, take orders, be patient and sensible plus much more and all that is valuable skills for life.

Good luck though whatever you decide and let us know how you get on. Hopefully all this stressing will be for nothing