Can you help me with questions to ask at parents evening?

[SparklyStone]

DD is in Yr1, all parents evenings up until now I have found my questions on her progress brushed off with a vague she's fine don't worry comment. What kind of things are important at this stage? Obviously reading and Math's, anything else? Is there anything specific results wise I could ask to gauge how she's doing?

Thanks!

[Mynewmoniker]

I would say chillax. Year 1s are settling into school life and learning how to socialise, share and settle. I don't work in a primary but have kids that have been through the system.

Perhaps ask about supporting what the school is teaching them at the moment. If there are things you think you would have difficulty with backing up at home ask where you could find support.

It's a long journey this school thing

[seeker]

If you want to know, they should be able to tell you what national curriculum level she is working at at the moment.

I always ask if the is anything I can do to support whqt's going on at school. I ask if the child seems happy while at school. I ask what else could the child be doing to help themselves.

[SparklyStone]

Thanks!

[CoffeeShoppe]

I don't ask anything. They should be doing the talking. If you had an issue to raise that is fine, but otherwise, let them speak and get home asap.

[Mynewmoniker]

let them speak and get home asap.

I like your style CoffeeShoppe

[SparklyStream]

Great question! Seeker - if I asked the question re the NC level, what are the chances of me understanding the answer?

[seeker]

"Great question! Seeker - if I asked the question re the NC level, what are the chances of me understanding the answer?"

Just get the numbers, write them down and then google or ask on here!

I think it's a good question because you can learn a lot from the way it's answered. Whether the teacher can easily look it up, how up to date the assessment is, how willing thy are to tell you.....

[mrspaddy]

I am not a parent (quite yet) but over the years the main sorts of questions parents ask me are things like.. how is he/she in comparison to rest of class. To be honest I find a lot of parents spend the time telling me about home difficulties/behaviour advice and I support but try and get back on track to curriculum topics/progress though respect their need for support/reassurance.

I think you don't have to get questions ready but if there is anything the teacher says you don't fully understand ask for further clarity.

You could ask what are their strengths/challenges, how are they at making friends, confidence but it is not totally necessary.

I always like parents asking what can they do at home in addition to formal homework.

[SparklyStream]

Very interesting. Do you think willingness to answer those kind if questions suggests your DC is below average or struggling?

[SparklyStream]

What I mean is - lack of willingness = struggling child?

[seeker]

Absolutely not. To me it indicates the teacher's attitude and confidence.

[SparklyStream]

Could you elaborate?

[SparklyStream]

As a novice, I find parents evenings incredibly frustrating, so this is a very constructive thread for me!

[seeker]

Yep. NC levels are bench marks- pretty crude ones, it's true, but bench marks. And it's very easy to google where a child "should" be at any age. Teachers should know where each of their pupils are at any time, NCwise, and if thy are prepared to share that information with parents, it's a pretty good indicator that they are comfortable with th way they do assessments, will be happy to answer questions about next steps, and even to be challenged a bit. It's handing a bit of power to the parents- many professionals in all fields like to keep things close to their chests- and tachrs are no exception! Does that make sense?

[SparklyStream]

Kind of. It just feels a bit odd. She's my child, and I want to know exactly how she's doing so that I can help where needed. The lack of info seems incongruous with what should be a joint goal of helping the child? Or am I missing something?

[seeker]

That's why you need the levels.

Oh, and always ask what you could be doing to support her learning.

[SparklyStream]

And so, do the benchmarks relate to how she is doing compared with peers, or is it more how she is doing in relation to government guidelines for that particular agegroup?