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Original poster

yr9 parents evening, pre-opt choices, what teachers to see?

31 replies

circular · 11/02/2011 08:12

DD is busy running around getting the appointments.
They don't have their pathways or option booklets yet, so not 100% sure how many options she has.

I told her to ensure she gets appointments with the core subject teachers (Eng, Maths, Science, ICT, poss RS) and MFL, Geog, music to cover 3 presumed option choices, Also Drama of there is a 4th.

However, before she has had a chance to get the appointments for the above, teachers of other subjects have asked for her form and insisting on taking a slot.

She is also being approached directly by some teachers saying they really hope she will choose their subject. Her answer has always been "if I have enough options". They have then asked her what options she is thinking of choosing, and on has tried to persuade her to drop Geog. in favour of her subject.
And this is all before the "options evening" next month, when the reall selling starts
I told DD that if the only times left for the important subjects clash, then she must have these in preference to those forced on her. Otherwise quite happy to see them all.

Only one teacher seems to be playing fair and has told the class only to take a slot if seriously considering GCSE.
In other years we have seen all or most. What do others do on the last all subjects "opportunity"

OP posts:
webwiz · 11/02/2011 12:53

We saw the core teachers pippop1 because I did want to know how DS was actually doing in those subjects. Even though its a pre options parents evening it still fulfills the function of a normal parents evening ie how your child is working, what level they are at and how well they are likely to achieve in the future.

At ours the queue for the science teacher was unbelievable and DS told me off because I sighed too loudly while waiting!

pippop1 · 11/02/2011 12:40

Do you need to see the core subject teachers at this stage? She's going to have to sit those subjects anyway. Can't you just see the optional subject teachers?

Deaddei · 11/02/2011 12:24

I saw all dd's teachers simply because it was an opportunity to hear how she's doing.
There was no "selling"- history and geography were both disappointed that she is dropping those subjects, as she is working very well, but just isn't interested.
It was a very long evening!!!

Decorhate · 11/02/2011 12:18

We have had our options evening. I went to see Maths, English, Science & German teachers as these are all compulsory GCSEs for dd.

Dd wants to do Drama for GCSE but that will be a new subject for her, so no teacher to see (but did chat to the English teacher about her views on doing Drama)

Didn't bother going to see any of the teachers for the subjects she definitely didn't want to carry on (Tech & PE). Went to see History, Geography, French & Latin as these are the options she is considering.

webwiz · 11/02/2011 08:47

For DS's parents evening we saw nearly everyone as we didn't have the options booklet at that point. The only teachers I didn't bother with were D&T as he has no intention of taking any technology subjects.

I would be annoyed at "selling" though, it doesn't help and just puts kids under pressure.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/02/2011 08:18

It's difficult for you to do this uninformed. We had a booklet two weeks ago so we know what the choices are. Parents evening is next week. I suppose you should see all possibles. If there are some she absolutely has no intention of doing, then avoid those.Otherwise you may need to see them all!

Take a hip flask. You could be there forever!