How often do you get to see your dc's school books/ work?

[oakandsycamore]

Just that really.
We don't get any info on what they are doing in class so it would be useful to see books. Are you allowed to ask to see them at your school?

We saw DS's work [YR] last month at Parent's Evening and the work on the classroom wall changes frequently.

If I was concerned I'd be very confident that his teacher would find time to take me through what he is doing.

Do you not see them at parent's evening? I would just ask the teacher in that case?

We saw some of it at parents' eve but not all and now that'll be it until March. If I knew what dc were actually doing in class, even vaguely, I wouldn't mind not seeing them but we are left totally in the dark.

So it's normal to ask to see books and shouldn't be treated sniffily by the teacher?

How old is DC?
My DS1 in Year R, they keep their learning journey books in a prominent place in the classroom and parents can look whenever they like. Not sure what it is like further up as he is my eldest.

They are in year 3 and 4.

We get to see them twice a year at parents evening when you can flick through as much as you like.

We get a termly sheet of what topics will be covered in which subjects. Each child also has a learning objective for numeracy and literacy (eg learn x times table, use speech marks) at the front of their homework book. DS in yr4.

The learning objectives/ targets sound good. Dc don't have those at the moment, hence not having a clue about what they're supposed to be covering.
The class level termly sheet would be fine but even then doesn't work if your child is below or above average at a subject.

We see them every friday, parents are invited into the classroom too look at the childrens work and talk to teachers.

If you want to see them then just ask, most teachers are ok about it.

Parents are allowed into the classroom every Friday morning between 8.30-8.45 if they wish, to see the displayed work and any books etc kept in their desks. (Year 3)

We see them at Parents Evening and they bring them home at the end of the year to look through with you also. They also bring home to keep what is called their 'special book' which is a scrapbook of all their best work for the year. Targets and levels are updated half-termly online and you can log in at any point to look at them.

I am a ps teacher and i would not be in the least bit offended if a parent asked to see books and to know what their children are learning about. If only all parents were this supportive! A good school should also provide opportunities for parents to give feedback on how they think the school is doing. At our school we send out half termly letters detailing what we will be learning about which i know parents like so perhaps you could suggest this at the next feedback opportunity

Last YR I saw my DS during parent meeting and at the end of the year.This year parent meeting next month,not sure how it is going to be,as it is new school.(we moved )

It used to be once per term at parents eve so really rushed. Parents complained because nobody had any idea what their child was doing. Since the complaint, it's now twice per term, but you go in at a specified time.

Never.

I have asked repeatedly to see them at parents evening but I may get a glance from across the table in one book if I'm lucky and write to request beforehand.

School recently plummeted from Outstanding to Satisfactory and the progress with one of my dc was appalling(wasn't told about that either,only found out on asking for levels),writing level in another isn't v good either imvho,another lacks confidence in maths so seeing her work could help but sadly no.

On speaking to the head re seeing the books and a few other things like lack of rather important info,consistency,low expectations etc he said "take your dc elsewhere if you don't like it,we know we're outstanding so you shouldn't feel the need to want to see work or ask questions".

Soooo I guess that's kind of it then re seeing work.

Personally I think it should be mandatory.When I was a teacher I used to love sharing work,showing off how far they'd come,using it to explain things etc.I used to put all their books in their tray and stack them in order of appointment so no peeking from other parents. Put them in a pile outside the door so they could peruse as long as they wanted. Parents then brought their child's tray in for us to discuss. Seemed to be the norm in most schools,maybe things have changed.

Isn't that difficult imvho.

thats awful polka!

Polka that's terrible. If the HT is so confident he's outstanding perhaps you could suggest they do something DS's school does which is celebratory assemblies. Each year group is the focus twice a year and parents from that year are invited in. The DC in little groups demonstrate say their ability at telling the time, recite a poem, read a little history piece they've done and show some artwork. It's only 15-20 mins and then parents are invited to go into the classroom to see work on the walls. These assemblies are last thing Friday afternoon which works quite well.