To expect a parents' evening more than every 19 months

[Kindlethefourth]

We had a parents evening for DD1 when she started year 6, around October 2012 which was fairly useless as most of the teachers hadn't got to know the children at that point in term. DD was in year 6, Sats year. We had a written report in the spring term then Sats results came out with a separate sheet with a grade labelled 'TA Split level' with no explanation of what that meant. Now I see parents evening is scheduled for May as she is now in year 7. Have had an interim sheet with just grades in and she seems to have taken a dip in some subjects so we are going in before parents evening to see the head but AIBU to think that this is too long between parents evenings (when not all parents are able to get appointments for all subjects anyway)

Should add we are in middle school so this is nt her first year at a new secondary school

Presumably she's changed schools in between?

Was there no welcome meeting in year 7 for the parents of the new pupils?

That's a really long time. I wouldn't be happy with that.

Year seven are often seen last in the parents evening cycle at secondary school. They are the least pressing concern (sorry, but after A2, AS, GCSE and options years they are a low priority!).
It might seem a long time between parents evenings but secondary cannot plan their parents evenings around a multitude if primary schools AS well as factoring in more important yer groups.

X posts.

Don't wait till May, make an appointment to see her form tutor now.

Sorry, missed the info about middle school. In which case YANBU.

And the teachers of the subjects where her grades have dipped.

I wouldn't bother with the head at this stage.

Thank you all. I felt it was wrong but wanted some assurances before going into the school.

YANBU regardless of whether it's a middle school or usual secondary school. Year 7 is as important as any other year from a parent evening point of view. They might not be doing so much academically, but it's vital to know that they're happy and enjoying going to school.

I'm a teacher in a state primary school and know that we must report to parents 3x per year-so that's 2 parents' evenings (autumn & spring) and then a written report in the summer. If yours is a state school, I'd have thought the sane would apply. I'd make an appointment with the teacher sooner, rather than waiting. They really should have included an explanation of the split levels TA-happy to explain if you want!