Schools engaging with working parents - any creative ideas...?

[Pheckwittageisms]

Hi - I'd love to know if there are any (state) schools that do this well? If so, please please please tell me what they do well and how they achieve it. I'm approaching insanity with the ridiculous number of meetings/info sessions/assemblies during school time which I can't attend because it means taking a half day off to be there for 20 minutes at a time. If I was going to everything timetabled for the next 2 weeks for both children, I'd practically need a holiday from school in order to go to work. Guilt and upset children aside, there is a fundamental lack of appreciation for what it's like to try and juggle this stuff as a working parent and although I'd dearly love to be there more (and this is all positive stuff they're doing), I can't manage it on top of trying to coordinate school hols as well. now that I've had my toddler tantrumI'd like to make some positive and creative suggestions rather than just rant, so just wondered if anyone had good/creative experiences to share? Inspire me with your wisdom! Thanks so much.

million I disagree. It is essential in my experience to attend parents evening, especially if you are a working parent and never see the teacher at the end of the day.

The fact that the teacher thinks there are no issue doesn't mean there aren't any issue at all. But also I have learnt a lot more about the teacher and their style by going to said parent evening. for example it was clear that dc1 Y5 teacher resented the fact he was very able and had the knack to say things or ask questions she couldn't answer. the fact she was ressentful came out very clearly and explained a lot of the issues dc1 had at the time.
In the same way, in Y7, the attitude of his form tutor told me a lot about the ethos and attitude of the school regarding able children (not in a good way btw).
I've had great conversations with other teachers, some of which lead to them changing some of their working habits. Not because I went to grumble about x and y, just out of a discussion about dc1 struggling with xx and how maybe doing yy could help.

I'm surprised by mrz organisation. I would have had to same reaction than iris, ie do you mean that you want to overlook dc1/2 again??
Because the reality is that that these meetings would be about children that teachers have issues with. And again, in my experience, teachers can be quite good at missing important stuff but not always good at listening to parents when they see a problem that the teacher doesn't see (or doesn't want to see). I'm talking about the quiet child that everyone forgets about to the point it's affecting their learning, the one who is extremely anxious but again quiet so it doesn't matter or the ones that is routinely not working at his level of ability (ie not enough differentiation) etc etc.
If there is an issue with a specific child (and i'm assuming mrz is talking about only a few), then surely it would be easier to organise a metting with said parents at a time that is convenient for both the teacher and the parents?

mrz And how many of those children who weren't having issues were like that because they had involved parents who were actively trying to help their children. Exactly the sort of parenting that would manifest itself in the way that you are complaining about. I know that it is very unlikely that I am going to go into a parents evening to hear that my child is struggling academically. But I go because I want to hear how I can continue to support her and help to ensure that she continues to learn and thrive. That's my job after all. If I am given the chance to meet with her teachers more often then of course I'll jump at the chance.

Very few if any

Ideal are you honestly saying it would be useful for you to be told in September that your child is exactly the same as they were in July and they will be following the curriculum as outlined in the parent meeting two weeks earlier?

Where in prioritising certain children for an early parents evening does it mean that any other child will be overlooked.

My DS received a diagnosis this year... I have attended 6 meetings various meetings to support him.. I went to parents evening this week.. The most positive parents evening I have ever attended.. His teacher suggested we catch up a couple of weeks into Summer term..

His teacher works very hard not only with my Ds.. If anyone has an issue they can make an appointment but if not I don't see why it can't wait till parents evening. I am hoping by next year. I will only need to attend Parents evening and they can get on with it..

mrz I said this is how it would make me FEEL.
I'm sure that most teachers have words with the parents of the children who are struggling throughout the year.
Why do you think it will be more efficient to add some parents evenings rather than the adhoc meetings I'm sure you are having anyway?

And what do you think parents who aren't invited will think? Oh great, I'm not told to come so my child should be OK and I am grateful for that.

Your didn't say they had SEN

And no all kids don't dip in the summer

As I said the children don't have SEN

Perhaps you could explain how an early parents evening would benefit everyone? I'm willing to be convinced.

No you haven't. You've said how an earlier parents evening would be preferable to your schools system where parents evening isn't until half way through the year. As I explained our parents ( all our parents ) have the option of attending a parents evening each term (six per year) so they don't have to wait six months or even six weeks.

It was my school system you were criticising perhaos you should have read what I wrote earlier then I wouldn't need to repeat it.

drip feeding?
Add message | Report | Message poster mrz Tue 15-Mar-16 06:51:31
We had priority parents evenings in the first few weeks of each term for those children we considered a concern and a parents evening for all parents who wished to attend at the end of each term. Some parents of very able children wanted to attend both (six parents evenings) plus individual consultations when needed

mrz could you explain what you are talking about in the 'priority parents evenings' that you wouldn't be covering in a normal parents evening?

Personnally, I don't like a parent evening in Sept/Oct. There is never anything to say.
However, then waiting for April for the next parent evening and have nothing at the end of the year (as it is for us) is, imo, not good enough. By the time April comes, a lot has happened and if there is any issue it's very late to be able to address them.
A piece of paper with a 'report' that is often a copy and paste doesn't do the child justice either.

We have that in primary and secondary btw...

Our school are great, for three reasons really - they send out termly timetables with all events listed and dates don't get changed; they have a traffic light system so you know which event is v important and which can be missed if you're busy; and they never have dressing up days! Even world book day was 'bring in a favourite book to talk about'.

Ideal it would be along the lines of
You know from your child's report last year that they are struggling with .....this is what I will be doing in school to help your child. It would really help if they practise at home but I've noticed they aren't reading at home or completed any homework this year is there anything we can do?

Or

I've noticed your child hasn't settled in the class is there anything worrying them?

I would be happy with the teachers actually talking to each other from one year to the next. That would avoid the surprised look on the teacher's face when I mentioned the fact dc2 had some serious language problems, or that he was referred to CAMHS etc...

What you are talking about though is what I would expect to be reviewed in a more informal meeting with a parent. Why do you think it helps to have that sort of 'parent evening' set up rather than just talking to the parent?
I would have much preferred dc2's Y1 teacher to come and see me when she knew there was an issue with dc2 rather than waiting for the parent evening (and to then not say anything anyway but just mention in passing that he was having one to one...).

I really wish teachers would listen to parents during these parents evening though. As a parent, there is nothing more frustrating to be met with 'oh he is doing well' and the likes when you ask how you could support your child at home (eg in spelling for dc1).