To expect the teacher to call me for Parent Teacher conference on time...

Even though the times available were between 3.30 and 6.30 (ish) we couldn't make parents' evening on Monday night due to DH's shifts, so we arranged to see the teacher at 8.15 this morning, as we both wanted to go.

We just had to ask.

I do think it's unrealistic to expect a direct number for a teacher. My sons' primary school has about 3 lines

Eleusis, I think you may have to get used to the fact that many schools make very few concessions to working parents! At our dss' school, parent-teacher evenings run from 3.30 - 7.30 on the first evening and 3.30 - 6.30 on the second evening. Given that we are in Surrey and a lot of dads work in the City and actually are interested enough to try to get to Parents Evening, combined with the small number of working mothers, makes for an undignified scrum when the sign-up sheets go up. Everything else runs through the school day - Open "Evenings" (I use the word loosely) when you can go into your child's classroom to look at their work run from 3.30 - 4.30, meetings to explain SATS took place at 2.15 so mums could pick up their children at the usual time, a meeting for parent helpers was during school time (as I "only" work 4 days a week I do help but couldn't of course make the meeting), a chance to meet the school governors took place at lunch time - the list goes on. I am not saying that this is wrong per se - teachers have lives outside of school and families too - but I think that if you take on the battle of trying to arrange some later events, you better be prepared for it to be a long-running war!

Our school has a policy that the child in question is supposed to come but siblings are not. So I always try and get an appt between 5 and 5.30, which we can race out of work and get to, but DD is still in nursery until 6. I usually meet DH and DS at the school gate. But we have aft and eve appts. But I haven't got a babysitter for DD in the evenings. If it was afternoons only I would take 1/2 day holiday - but grudgingly. Same for sports day, concert etc only less grudging for those.

Policy? ha ha ha

No you;re right but trust me have been fighting this for years, just glad DS1 is out of there soon (although ds3 may be there and needing 1-1 full support which should be a larf)

Peachy My understanding by my last senco is
that letters regarding sen/iep's are to be given out at least 2 weeks before so people can definatley be there.

Ask to see their sen policy (okay won;t help this time but should detail procedures and would def annoy them!)

You just can't...

except thsoe who works shifts of course

coz you just can't get ti right for everyone

Its worth fighting for, although I was expected to srope verything for a 4pm today (SENC handover going to juniors) with 4 hours notice, DS1 due in swimming class for 5.30 and Dh due out to work at 6.30- and not allowed to bring DS1, 2 or 3!

Sometimes you do have to find a way, but f its an ongoing issue (ie every year rather than teacher just didnt have childcare this year) then it needs addressing

Dads work too you know

I have had parents come in first thing for a chat. DH will do that if he needs to be at school - he goes in a bit late rather than leave early.

my kids get the times for me at secondary.

kids primary has a list out which we fill in.

Certainly true that can't please everyone...

And divorced parents who need an appointemnt each at opposite ends of the evening so they don't have to be in the same room

Dd1s school offers one afternoon, straight after school, and the next day they offer form 6pm until 8pm.

Dd2's pre school offer two evenings, bith form 6-8pm.

Come on - it's only a couple of days a year. Well, OK, 6 days for secondary. But still - 6 days a year.

I will admit to being a knackered at the end of it though. Tip - never make a 9.30 appointment. It will be more like 10pm and the teacher may well be burbling.

ANd even after 40 odd parents and 4 hours and teaching for the day and no dinner, parents still get upset when you have to check your mark book to see how little Johnny is doing

But yes, parents evenings should be that.Maybe 4-8pm.

the secondary schools round here are in the evenings too

Secondary schools here run a system where the kids get an inset day but ARE expected to attend a conference in the school hours with their aprents to review how things are going. Most parents both attend using their holiday

of course they should. Even choose one day for early and one for later.

At all the schools (3) that my children have been to the parents evenings have always been early evening. Therefore accomaodating most people.