How to get the most out of parents evenings

A Parent’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of Secondary School Parents’ Evenings

Parents’ evenings are key opportunities to engage with your child’s teachers and understand their progress at school. To ensure you make the most out of the experience, here’s a structured guide on how to prepare, what to ask, and how to follow up after the meeting.

1. Preparation Before Parents’ Evening

• Know the Schedule: Parents’ evenings are often tightly scheduled, with short slots for each subject teacher. Make sure you know which teachers you’ll meet and how much time you have with each.

• Review Reports: Before the evening, read through your child’s most recent school reports or progress updates. This will help you identify areas where they may be excelling or struggling, guiding your questions.

• Ask Your Child: Have a conversation with your child before the meeting. Ask how they feel about their subjects, where they feel confident, and where they need more support. This gives you context when speaking with their teachers.

• Prepare Questions: It’s useful to prepare a few key questions for each teacher, especially if there are areas of concern or interest. Questions could include:

  • How is my child performing compared to expectations?

  • What are their strengths and areas for improvement?

  • How can we support their learning at home?

  • Are there any behavioral or social concerns?

• Bring Notes: Write down any key points or concerns you want to discuss. This helps you stay focused during your limited time with each teacher.

2. During the Meeting

• Be On Time: With limited appointment times, arriving late can mean less time for your discussion. Arriving on time ensures you get the full benefit of each meeting.

• Listen Actively: Let the teacher lead the conversation, as they have insights from the classroom. Take notes during the meeting so you can reflect on the key points later.

• Ask About Progress and Potential: In addition to discussing grades or exam preparation, ask about your child’s effort, attitude, and overall behavior in the classroom. It’s important to understand both their academic and social development.

• Understand Actionable Steps: If your child is struggling, ask the teacher to outline clear steps for improvement, such as extra resources, revision strategies, or classroom adjustments. Similarly, for subjects where your child is excelling, ask how they can be further challenged.

• Discuss Special Circumstances: If your child has specific needs (e.g., dyslexia), ask how the school supports these in the classroom. This can help ensure they are receiving the necessary accommodations and support.

3. After the Meeting

• Debrief with Your Child: After parents’ evening, talk to your child about what was discussed. Share positive feedback and any constructive suggestions from their teachers. Use this conversation as a way to motivate them and set clear goals for improvement.

• Set Realistic Goals: Based on the feedback, work with your child to set achievable short- and long-term goals. These can include areas like time management, revision habits, or engaging more in class discussions.

• Follow Up as Needed: If any concerns were raised that need further action, such as arranging extra help or support, make sure to follow up with the school. Keeping open communication with teachers is key to ensuring your child continues to progress.

• Monitor Progress: Keep track of your child’s improvement in the weeks following parents’ evening. Regular check-ins with them about schoolwork and performance can help keep them on track.

4. Common Questions to Ask

• General Performance:

  • How is my child performing in relation to their peers?

  • Are they meeting the targets set for their year group?

• Strengths and Areas for Improvement:

  • What are my child’s particular strengths in this subject?

  • What specific areas do they need to work on?

• Study Habits and Homework:

  • Are they managing homework and revision effectively?

  • How can we help improve their study habits at home?

• Classroom Behavior and Engagement:

  • How does my child contribute to classroom discussions?

  • Are there any behavioral issues I should be aware of?

• Exam Preparation (for Year 11 students):

  • Are they on track for their GCSE exams?

  • What specific revision strategies would you recommend?

  • Are there any revision materials or resources they should focus on?

5. Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

If your child has special educational needs (SEN), such as dyslexia:

• Ask About Support: Inquire about how the school is addressing your child’s specific needs, what accommodations are in place, and how they are monitored.

• Collaborate on Strategies: Work with teachers to develop strategies that can support learning both at school and at home.

• Focus on Progress, Not Just Grades: Especially for children with learning difficulties, progress in skills and confidence is just as important as academic results.

Parents’ evenings are an opportunity to work collaboratively with teachers to support your child’s education. By preparing in advance, focusing on key areas during the meeting, and following up afterward, you can ensure your child gets the best possible support to thrive at school.