Parent evenings and feedback in Reception- how often

[wineandharibo]

I wonder if anyone can let me know what to expect with regards to parents evenings etc in Reception class.

DS started school last September and since then has had 1 parent feedback session in October. Other than that, and a basic folder with a couple of pictures and sentences, I have had no feedback about his performance. I asked for an appointment a few weeks and was told I would be contacted.

Personally I find this unacceptable and am seriously concerned. However, before I start to complain I would just like to get some idea of what is the norm and what I can expect. The main reason for my concern is that as I don't know how DS is getting on, I am unsure about what he needs extra help with etc.

He attends an independent school, where class sizes are capped at ten.

Thanks for your help.

[redskyatnight]

In the schools I know about you have a parents' evening in October, another in February and then an end of year report where you may optionally arrange a time to speak to your chlid's teacher about it.

I would expect the teacher to pro-actively contact me if there was any areas of concern and assume that no news is good news!

What feedback would you like? With a class of 10, I would assume that the teacher could spare the odd couple of minutes after school if you had any specific questions.

[Galena]

We have had written reports at Christmas and Easter - and there will be another at the end of the year. We have also had parents' evenings in October and Feb/March. Bog-standard primary school - 23 in the class.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

In DD's independent school pre-prep meeting every term and report at the end of the summer term
Juniors Effort card half way through each term, meeting with class teacher, maths, English and science in November and all teachers in March. Full report at the end of the summer term.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Oh yes I can e-mail any teacher any time and we can usually meet up within 5 days of the e-mail.

[ReallyTired]

dd's state reception class has one parents' evening a term and a school report once a year.

wineandharibo Its possible to get an appointment with the class teacher in a state school that has 30 in a class within a week of asking. I think its ridicolous that you can't get an appointment in a private school. I think you should complain to the head about not being able to see the teacher.

[LittleMissGreen]

Our reception have an 'open evening' early in the year where you can see photos of your child learning through play, parents evening in March time and a written report in June.
However, any concerns and you can talk to a teacher anytime - open doors policy.

Schools should have a policy about when reports (whether verbal or written) will be given to parents.

[notjustamummythankyou]

We had a parents evening in October, and another in March. There will be a written progress report towards the end of the summer term.

We can access our child's 'big book of progress' at any time, and we're encouraged to make appts to see the teacher if we want to talk anything over at any time.

D's is in a largish state primary, with two early years classes of 30 pupils each. Its a great school and fosters very strong relations with pupils' parents / guardians.

[Hawkshaw]

We get two parents evenings a year, an open afternoon to see work, and a written report at the end of the year. Any time I have had to see DD's teacher about anything, no matter how trivial, every effort has been made to fit me in as soon as possible. I've rarely had to wait longer than until the next day. Standard state school, thirty in a class, but not particularly big.

[Meglet]

The dc's are at a medium state primary. In reception they get a parents evening in autumn, report and parents evening in march and a final report in july.

Classes are open at the end of every day to look at work and teachers can arrange meetings within a day or two. I can see how DD is coming along because her reading and writing are clearly improving but her teacher is always available when I have a question.

[Xihha]

DD's at Private school in a class of 18, we have parents evening once a term, an open afternoon once a year (which is today and I'm very excited about) and a note in her diary everyday, we can pop in and look at their work after school whenever we like and get finished work sent home regularly.

As far as I can remember when DS was in reception (in a state school class of 30) he had a written report every term, a parents evening in the summer and a weekly note in his contact book, plus notes in his book bag as and when if he'd done anything particularly good or there were any concerns.

Teachers at both schools will see you for a 5 minute chat before school or at end of school that day or make a longer appointment after school within a day or 2. HT's at both schools will generally make time to see you that day, and if it is something that can be discussed over the phone they will often make time to talk to you when you phone or call you back within a couple of hours if they are busy/need to check something.

[thegreylady]

Parents evenings every term here and a written report at the end of the year (state primary).

[TheEnchantedForest]

One written report in June and a formal parents evening each term (3 per year).
However the school has an open door policy so it is possible to see the teacher before or after school with any concerns if important. Otherwise an appointment within a week if you want to discuss something non urgent.
This is an 'outstanding' state primary with 31 in the class.

[BikeRunSki]

Middling (170 pupils) state primary, ds in reception. Had parents' mtgs in October and April. Report at Easter. When I had concerns about ds and wanted to speak to his teacher I was able to organise a mtg with her for the following week.