COMMENTS for REPORT (Parents/Pupils response page)? What to write?

[Giuliettatoday]

Hi there,

we received an A4 sheet together with the end of year report where we can comment on our child's progress and attainment this year.

Now I don't really know what to write! Both children have areas they're good in, both have areas that require more hard work ;-). I don't get much information throughout the year about what's going on in individual subject, and generally I feel that the report is too 'rosy'. On the other hand I don't want to disencourage the children, but the comments section is for the school (teachers/head?) only, so the children don't necessarily have to know what I'm writing.

There's also a section for comments by the pupil, and I'm sure they won't know what to write either...

But thought it would look nice if at least I wrote something (in an 'interested and supporting parent' kind of way).

Is it ok to write sth like 'we're pleased with our ds's progress in subjects x,y,z but hope he'll improve in subjects a, b, c'? It sounds so silly. There's nothing in the report I disagree with and nothing I'd want to complain about, I think they give an accurate (if a bit too positive) picture.

must read subjects and discourage of course, sorry

I think it might be better not to bother. I'm an interested and supportive parent and I've never commented. If there's nothing you disagree with or want to complain about, why waste ink? If it's a good report, why spoil it with your own negative comments? (If you were to decide to change schools, a good one would be helpful.)

If you consider the school's aspirations too low, you could handle that either by talking to next year's teacher at the start of the new term, or by doing something yourself at home.

We always comment and are actively encouraged to do so. Our children fill in their comment page in class and this comes home with the report - they write in what they have particularly enjoyed about school that year, what they feel they have improved in and where they feel they need to improve more. My son's comments included that he loved his history topic, enjoyed making biscuits, the best bit of the school year was the summer fete (!) and he needs to work on his writing!

At home we write anything from one or two simple sentences - e.g. we feel x has had a really good year and are especially pleased that he has made such good progress with his handwriting - to half an A4 page if we feel there is more to be said. This year I commented mainly on the new-style report format we have, which I don't like.

I think your suggested comment sounds about right.