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Year 7 Parents Evening - Unavailable slots for core subjects

406 replies

User32243535 · 09/02/2018 16:26

Sorry, but this might turn into a bit of a rant.

DC (Y7) attends what is meant to be a well respected grammar school. But at the moment, I am struggling to comprehend how they have developed such a lousy system for arranging parents evening appointments.

DC is our eldest child so we were not acquainted with this system before and didn't see it coming. Basically, we received a report and then according to the report, we were advised (via dc taking a sheet around to their teachers and booking a time slot) to arrange a meeting with the necessary teachers.

DC is a scatter brain and this hasn't helped with making the arrangements but on eventually contacting their teachers for Maths and English. dc was informed that there were no available slots left. Sorry, but Maths and English are core subjects and we care about our dc's education, I am fuming that we are not able to discuss these subjects with the relevant teachers (parents evening is held on just one evening).

DC doesn't have huge difficulties in these areas but reading the report there are one or two areas for improvement and I think it is important to discuss these two subjects in particular.

Anyone else experienced similar? The system of arranging slots on a piece of paper seems outdated from the outset. I e-mailed the head teacher regarding my concerns about dc not securing appointments a few days ago and I haven't received a response and I'm not able to discuss with anyone as the school office is now closed (dc has just informed me of the situation, which I believed would be resolved today.) Quite frankly not impressed with the schools communication either right now in regard to replying to my e-mail. Grrrrh...just so frustrated!

OP posts:
AuntFidgetWonkhamStrongNajork · 09/02/2018 16:46

My DC also hasn't managed to get any appointments - similar system in that the child has to make the appointments. There's one parents evening lasting 3 hours with 5 minute slots. So just not enough slots going to cater for all of the students if a teacher takes just two yr7 classes.

Ironically though the letter we got telling us about it said we should make every effort to attend and if we were unable to go we had to write to the HoY with our excuses.

Gingersstuff · 09/02/2018 16:44

This is completely normal procedure though. And if I can't get an appointment on the night with a specific teacher then it's made clear that parents are very welcome to make a separate appointment at another time.

ElanorGamgee · 09/02/2018 16:41

Yes, expectations are too high and your tone sounds a bit demanding.

Your DC is a scatterbrain (your words), not every parent will expect to see every teacher. Perhaps the children who do have huge difficulties in those areas have secured a slot.

The children securing their own slots is a lesson in responsibility.

If the school had major concerns about core subjects they would be in touch.

GiraffesCantDoMentalArithmetic · 09/02/2018 16:41

Yes. If your DC's teachers teach more than one class, there simply aren't enough appointments for every child. Why does your DC need an appointment more than the others? Parents evening is only on one evening for year 7, but remember the teachers may well be there for all 7 evenings if they teach across the year groups.

This situation is very normal in most secondary schools. Instead of being "fuming" and getting a reputation in the staffroom, try sending a polite request for a quick email update from the English and Maths teachers. And then try to give them 5 working days to reply before you start feeling unimpressed.

Bear in mind that if you had anything to be concerned about, they would have contacted you first and made sure you had an appointment.

User32243535 · 09/02/2018 16:35

Giraffes... I am confused by your comment...are you inferring that my expectations are too high in this instance?

OP posts:
GiraffesCantDoMentalArithmetic · 09/02/2018 16:29

I think you need to pay for a private education for your DC Hmm

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