What time does your children's school schedule parent's meetings?

[Madsometimes]

Some working parent's at our school have asked for parent's meetings to be scheduled at more convenient times for them. At the moment they are scheduled between 4 and 6:30pm. Our head teacher says that he has to balance the needs of working parents with his responsibility as an employer to his teachers who already work very hard. I am inclined to agree with our head because I think his primary concern should be the children and his staff. If the school is kept open until 9pm for meetings then the working day is very long for staff who come in at 7:30am. It can also be difficult for single parents.

However, I also think that certain meetings eg. PTA, residential trip information meeting are not well attended and some parents who would like to attend cannot do so.

How does your school balance staff and parental needs and do you think they do a good job? Ours is a single form entry state school, so relatively few staff and a low budget. I would love feedback from both working parents and teachers as I am neither, so I'm not sure what to think.

[christywhisty]

Ours is single form, last appointment is usually 6.50

[Cheesesarnie]

ours is usually between 3pm-5 pm .which is stupid for working parents and if youve got to take dc with you.dh never gets to go and i have to take all 3 dc.

[TheDuchessOfNorksDied]

We're also single form state primary.

Parent consultations have slots available from 3.50 until 7.00pm and is held over two days.

PTA meetings are 8pm and usually at somebodys' house so it's more relaxing.

Come January, we'll also have an open evening at 8pm followed by two open days, which gives everyone the chance to view the school. These are hosted by the Head & Reception teacher & Governors (for tours & info) and the PTA (for coffee).

Our teachers also run a huge number of lunchtime/after school clubs, which are voluntary, so I guess they're happy with the hours they put in.

[spooka]

Each term there are 2 parents' sessions

THis term - a Tuesday afternoon between 1.30 and 4pm and a Thursday evening between 6pm and 9pm.

On the Tuesday, you can either take your child home at 1.30pm or they can stay and do group activities with the TAs.

[Anna8888]

It is at the teacher's discretion, but usually either before school, for working parents (so 8.15 am to 8.45 am) or at lunch time (12 pm to 12.30 pm) for parents who are not working or work nearby.

[debs40]

Hi

I have just moved my son to a new school. He is in Year 1. At that school they had parent's evenings from 4-6 and wouldn't allow you to bring children along.

His new school has them from 1.30 to 7 which was much more helpful to us as I was able to go while my son and youngest were at school/nursery.

Many people have childcare issues out of school hours and the very people you are likely to ask to help (friends with children) will have their own commitments if they go to the same school.

So, although I understand it is asking teachers to stay late, as it is only two or three times a year, I think schools should try and be as inclusive as possible

[Anna8888]

Parents Association meetings alternate between 9 am slots and 7 pm slots.

The huge beginning of year meetings between the whole class of parents and the teachers happen from 5.30 pm to 7 pm and are compulsory. The school organises childcare on site for parents who need it.

[ByTheSea]

Ours are over two days. One day is 3.30 to 5.20 and the other day is 6.30 to 8.30.

[DontKillMeBaby]

DD has only just completed her first halfterm (yay, we survived) so I don't know if this is normal, but I hope so as it's sensible: two parents' evenings (two form entry), one on a Tuesday from 3.30 to 6.00, one the Wednesday of the following week from 6.00 to 8.30. I thought that was good - two dates, different days of the week so you don't exclude someone who is always busy on a Tuesday evening, one early and one later.

Full governors' meetings are 4.30 till 7, which isn't ideal, but they're only four times a year and you know about them if you're going to volunteer as a governor. Committee meetings are 4-6 or 6-8 depending on which committee you're on, and PTA meetings are probably 7.30 till late with wine, from what I've seen of the PTA so far!

[needmorecoffee]

7.30 usually. way too late for me so I don't go.

[muggglewump]

3-5pm and 7-9pm for each parents evening which are twice a year.
I think that's fair enough given it's only two evenings a year for this purpose.
They also provide toys for younger children and paper/pens for older ones which is great for me as I'm a lone parent and have to take DD with me.

[VirginiaWoolf]

3.30 - 6.00 here (small village primary, 90ish pupils) on 2 consecutive evenings. Not ideal for working parents. When I was a teacher (high school, though) I just took it for granted that part of my work would be the parents' evenings, which were 7 - 9.

[AbbeyA]

I found them even earlier once they go to secondary school. They are always 4.30 -6pm; very difficult if you have a baby and toddler to leave at home.
I think that you have to accept that they suit the teaching staff.

[travellingwilbury]

My ds is only in reception but we have just had ours . It was over three days and they did 3 till 5 for two of the days and 6 till 9 on the third . It worked really well . They also had people on hand to look after younger siblings or the school child so you could talk in peace .

[kyrasmummy]

My dd's in reception to and we had ours Tuesday/Wednesday from 3.30 till 5.30 both afternoons, i think it's bad for working parents, but then again my appointment was at 4pm so i had to wait around for an hour as i don't drive and not enough time to go home and back.
They did have people to look after the kids though so we could chat.

[mumtoone]

Our parents evening was 3.30pm-6.30pm over two nights. This worked for us as working parents. We just left work a little early.

[Hulababy]

5pm - 7:30pm IIRR

[frankbestfriend]

Our school holds parents evening over two nights, usually a Tuesday and a Friday.
One day is 3.30 till 6.30, and the other 5 till 8.

Works well for parents who need earlier appointments and also those who prefer to come in later

[kid]

Parents evening at DCs school is held over 2 days from 4pm till 6:30pm
Anyone that can't make it can make a different appointment to see the class teacher.
Obviously the teacher would prefer to meet parents at parents evening but they are usuallt flexible to accommadate those that can't make it during those times.

[mumwhereareyou]

Small village school here (80)pupils, parents vening last week here was 3.30-8pm so some of the teachers had big chunks of no parents in and then a mad rush from 7-8pm.

It works for the parents but do feel sorry for the teachers as 3 out of the 5 of them live 3/4 hour drive away, so late night followed by early start.

Childen are allowed but are discouraged to attend as no one to look after them in the school.

[ErnestTheBavarian]

Just got ours through - have 4 in 1 morning (2 for each child), 10am, 10.30, 11 & 12. So dh has to take a whole morning off work, or not come (been made crystal clear he should attend). Will also be a it of a pain with 4 months old dd. Still, as this thread illustrates, there's no single great time for all.

[Blackduck]

Infant shcool here. 3.30 - 6.00 on two diff evenings. Children allowed! (think my childminder took her whole set of mindees )

[needmorecoffee]

my boys parents evening is held in the sports hall which is non-accessible to wheelchair users. Another reason not to go.

[fizzbuzz]

Malory...am sure it is against law to hold 2 parents meeting in a week, and a schoo meeting, in fact I know it is.

Our school doesn't even try anything like this and never has, the unions would go mad.
One parent's evening per year group I believe..............