Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teachers! I have an excellent parents' evening tip for you.

345 replies

OoozingCervix · 23/10/2013 19:45

  1. If you have a 10 minute slot and you are still talking after 25 minutes to a parent there is quite obviously an issue that needs to be discussed further at a later date.
  1. May I suggest you get a timer? Put it on your table. Set it for 9 minutes. If after the allotted time you are still talking, hand over a card with your email on it and suggest the parent book a further appointment to see you.

IANBU.

OP posts:
sailorcherries · 20/04/2017 23:10

I'm quite direct during parents night.
I only really talk about literacy and numeracy as, in my experience, no primary aged child's parent wants to know how they fare in RME etc.
I summarise their progress, identify any areas we are working on together, suggest ways in which the parents can help, give an overview of behavior throughout the year/term and then ask if there are any issues.
I leave out the most recent literacy and maths jotter for parents to look at before or after the meeting.

I let parents know they can arrange a meeting with me after school and we can discuss any further issues in depth.

I find that I only go over when parents derail the conversation. I've had one talk about her recent dentist visit, one about her nursery childs poo, one about how school was in his day, one about their work etc. I tend to nod along and when a lull occurs I politely but firmly say "nice to meet you, don't forget I'm around at the end of the day if you want to speak to me about anything else. Little Bobby's work is outside if you'd like to look before you go".

I'd also never give out my professional email address. I do not need parents houding me when they are capable of writing a note or asking to speak to me. That email address is to communicate with other members of staff, not to answer all parental queries. That email address is also only accessed in personal time as there is no time during working hours, I'm not spending my personal time replying to parents.

Whathaveilost · 20/04/2017 23:51

W.R.T. to emails I have only used a teachers email once and that was to reply to an email the teacher had sent me,and that was once DS had left school and to tel me his grade in GCSE had been increased.

I did have the emails of several teacher during years 9, 10 and 11 when DS1 was in danger of going off the track with his school work.
The teachers and me and his dad communicated closely about issues around his behaviour and attitude but I didn't use email in the end although it was an option for me.

RaspberryIce · 20/04/2017 23:56

Did you phone instead?

OffOut · 21/04/2017 00:15

ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD

Richdebtomdom · 21/04/2017 17:28

Parents, here is a tip from a teacher...

... actually I think I'm walking away from this one...

pollymere · 21/04/2017 17:31

I think it's a bit like Drs appointments. Some only take a minute, others need longer. A teacher is only supposed to cover certain things, anything else requires an appointment. I think another problem is parents being late.

Dahelle · 21/04/2017 17:35

Sorry but some of these comments are really rude. I can't even say anything to some of you. I am speechless! Try doing the job a teacher does and then you can bloody talk arghhhhhhh

Maireadplastic · 21/04/2017 17:41

Ragwort. My husband is head of dept at a grammar school and I'm staggered when parents do not respond to his emails- it's as though they think their job is over once they've got their children in (many of whom are coached to within an inch of their lives to get in and then parents wonder why they struggle).

M0nica · 21/04/2017 17:42

Parents evening is a waste of bloody time. If you've got a 'good' child the teacher barely knows them if at all (yes I have had this scenario) and if pfb is not doing well you should already be aware, a biannual 5 min slot isn't going to help!
I don't go again if the teacher doesn't appear to know my child, whatstje point for either of us? Its just box ticking

OffOut · 21/04/2017 17:43

It's still a...
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD

RuthCart · 21/04/2017 17:48

Oh sorry I thought it might be something helpful

M0nica · 21/04/2017 17:50

Me too thatitbe!! Why do they hound you to come in when they hate it so much?? Ah yes, box ticking

AmateurSwami · 21/04/2017 17:55

I don't think parents evenings give you any insight whatsoever. I think it's a waste of everyone's time. Email communication a few times a term, jobs a Goodun. Save the face-to-face for any serious concerns.

AmateurSwami · 21/04/2017 17:55

Argh zombie thread. Awks

RaspberryIce · 21/04/2017 17:57

It might be a zombie thread but according to the Hot threads email it was the most viewed thread yesterday, so obviously something people still want to talk about zombie or not.

Smudge100 · 21/04/2017 17:58

Has it ever occurred to you that it's the parents who won't shut up?

lionlaw · 21/04/2017 18:02

I just wanted to say that it amazes me how many people moan about teachers but so few are willing to become one; and OP you can always home school so you don't have to go through such a trauma again!

AuditAngel · 21/04/2017 18:04

At DS's secondary. Parents get a desk for one hour, with their child. Teachers come to you (or avoid you).

Works quite well, anyone you don't get to speak to, you leave a request for an email.

Will see if it works as well this year, I want to speak to one particular teacher......

DagenhamRoundhouse · 21/04/2017 18:07

I say, abolish parents' evenings altogether!

We never had them when I was at school. I don't think my parents ever had any contact at all with my teachers and headmistress.

EllenMP · 21/04/2017 18:20

My kids' school has the year 6 kids stationed outside the classroom doors with timers. They knock on the door at ten minute intervals and send the parents in and out. They love the authority of it.

user1483887562 · 21/04/2017 18:21

I have done about a hundred parents evenings. Within the allocated time I let parents know how great their kids are, as generally they are. I give an assessment grade at where they're child is but I focus most on the child's social adaptability etc. Always positive, hard after a day's work, should be on a day to itself.

user1483887562 · 21/04/2017 18:23

But really we teachers don't have time to read your emails. When should we do this?

Mamabearj · 21/04/2017 18:26

Totally agree. I try my best to be as polite as I can but some just don't want to go!Blush

exaltedwombat · 21/04/2017 18:29

Crap. This is the same stupidity as 10-minute doctor appointments. You need 2 minutes or you need 20.

simiisme · 21/04/2017 18:33

I'm a secondary school teacher and a parent of secondary age children, so I can see both sides.
Parents' evenings can be tedious for both sides.
Some people on here are complaining that teachers are hostile to parents; I'm not and I wish that more of them cared about their child's education. Also - the patronising title from the OP?