To expect more than 24 hrs notice of parents evening?

[NigellaTheOriginal]

Got report on friday - insipid cut and paste job - but that's another rant entirely. Also with report stating that
'In recent tests DD2 is underperforming in reading, writing, maths. This will be discussed at forthcoming parents evening, details to follow.'
Met mate in Waitrose who tells me that parents evening is on Tuesday! She only knows because she went to ask one of the teachers on friday after school.

The F-ing school have no concept at all of parents who may not be able to reorganise their lives at 24 hrs notice.
I am VVV pissed off because not only did I not know they were testing DD at the end of this term, I didn't know until now that DD was underachieving in so many areas, and I didn't know that we'd have no notice of parents evening and obviously it is important that i go.
I am working on Tuesday. It is very unlikely that I will be able to swap at such short notice.
I will be telling the F-ing school what i think about this. I am v cross. It is just another thing that school has done recently that I am not happy about.

[HunphreyCushion]

It does seem very disorganised.

I would be annoyed by the complete lack of communication re your DD's progress too.

Are the tests standard end of year tests, or extra ones?

[NigellaTheOriginal]

Who knows as we have had no notice of them.
am writing a list of grievances and will let rip - if i get there!

[SqueakyPop]

IME, you can usually make appointments to see a specific teacher outside of the normal parents' evening. Schools do recognise that not everyone is available at that time.

[twinsplus1]

I would go into school and explain that as your daughter is underperforming it is essential that you have an appointment before the end of term and that you can't do Tuesday. Any reasonable teacher will reorganise a mutually convenient time for you.

It is bad form to send out a report with information like this, by the way. I always think the report should be confirming what you have already discussed with parents previously.

On the positive side at least you now know and the school are doing something about it. Ask them what interventions they have used/will use to help your child. Is she on an IEP?

[AbbeyA]

At this stage the parent's evening should just be for anyone who wants to discuss the report. I should ask for an appointment at a different time if the designated evening doesn't suit.

[constancereader]

YANBU.

It is also very bad that you are told such crucial information at the end of the year in a report.

[NigellaTheOriginal]

What pisses me off is the expectation that I and others can rearrange our lives at the drop of a hat - or that we do nothing but sit around all day waiting for our DCs to finish school with no understanding that some of us have other stuff to be doing.

and I am bloody furious that we can get to the very end of the school year before I can discuss this issue with them. I know that DD has had a crap year there - they know that I know that DD is perhaps not the easiest child but I do think that real shocks should not come at the end of term in a report.
Whether the school will now do something to deal with DD underperforming - we'll see.

[SqueakyPop]

I think that if you want to get the best for your DD, you need to drop the furious talk. Remember, you and the school are on the same team.

[NigellaTheOriginal]

ah but after the year I've had with DD and school I think perhaps we are not on the same team.

It has to be said that DD underachieving is not a surprise as i don't think she's learnt a single thing this year. it has been a whole long list of sorry crapness. I have been understanding, sympathetic and supportive but they've now really pissed me off so i don't think i will be any more.
perhaps if i'd been more demanding and vocal a year ago DDs whole school year might not have been a total write off.

[othersideofthefence]

I do sympathise with the situation - however, I wouldn't complain about the fact that they have tested her.
Teachers continually assess - sometimes it is informal, but in the Summer term it is usual to carry out more formal tests.
They certainly don't need to inform you of this. Also, if they keep it very low key the children are completely unphased by the tests - it is just another activity.
What year is she in? If she is Y6 or Y2 in England the tests are statuatory.

[andyrobo237]

We had parents eveing last week - reports came home on Tuesday and Parents Evening was scheduled for Thursday, but the note that came with the report said that Parents Evening was optional. I could not believe that, especially given the way reports are written these days with nothing negative in them!

Out of DD's class of 23 Year 1 & 2 kids, only two parents wanted to see the teacher. I was one of them - DD is doing well but struggles with maths and handwriting, so I wanted guidance what to concentrate on in the holidays with her, so she is not falling behind for Year 2. I dont intend to spend hours each day, more like 5 or 10 minutes 4-5 times a week, when she is in the mood.

I have been disappointed with the school system - I do hope you can get to see the teacher and have a useful discussion with them.

[unfitmother]

YANBU
I'd be furious!

[Hulababy]

No notice, or very late notice, of parent's evening is dreadful. I would definitely speak to the school about it.

We are told at the start of each term any important dates, including parents evenings, for the diary, plus reminders nearer the time. It is also displayed on the school website. If things will be taking place in the first few weeks of the term, we are given forewarning of this in addition to the termly diary sheet.