year 7 - first parent evening

[kylesmybaby]

its my first time tonight. will I see all teachers or just his form teacher? any good questions I can ask. thanks so much

If you were going to see all his teachers you would have made appointments with them all in advance. It sounds like it is just going to be a meet the tutor, settling in evening.

Have you ever done speed dating?

noble - yes thought that .. thanks xx

Agreed that it is probably just a settling in chat.

I think I asked how DC seemed in school, if they were organized enough and if it appeared that they had made friends.

Got one this week - so def don't take children?

newgilr

I think its more usual to take children at secondary level than not.

Oh that's good thanks!

We always take the DC to parents' evening at secondary. It is like speed dating. There are appointments, but because the teachers don't know you, you can miss your slot if you're not careful. This alone is a good reason to take your DC with you, as the teachers will recognise them.

I never take them! I feel me and teacher can be more honest and open without having dc there and having to phrase things more carefully!

I disagree with titchy. I find having the children there makes the teacher more constructive in their comments. When the children are doing well, they don't always realise it, so it gives them a boost to hear it. When they need to improve, it's good to hear that message together.

DD1 is expected to attend her parents evenings.

I find prep for these is essential to get the most of your 5 minute slot.
I ask DD if she has any issues and I prepare 1 or 2 questions to ask of each teacher.
e.g.

• she seems to be doing OK, do you agree?
• how is she getting on with practicals?
• can you give her more guidance on requirements for essays
• DD says she can't always remember your instructions, can they be put on the board too?
• she doesn't seem to be making any progress, should I be concerned?

I always let the teacher speak first (usually we get that DD is a pleasure to teach ). Then I ask my questions.

I don't bother with more 'minor' subjects that DD doesn't care about. e.g. Have never seen a Music or PE or Tech teacher, but have seen Drama.

Agree though, OPs meeting will be a settling in one with tutor. I would take the DC.

We've got a Meet the Teachers evening in a couple of weeks. I'm expecting it not to be as formal as a Parents Evening, just a general chat with DD's techers.

I would like to talk to her form teacher (though i did have a brief chat with her a couple of weeks ago) and one or two of her key subject teachers.

I guess if i were you i'd ask how he's getting on academically and socially. I would also check if there's anything your DS would like you to ask on his behalf.

Ours don't have parents evening, they have mentoring evening. Our children have to attend and it's all about talking to them about how they feel the term has gone, if they have any problems and how they think they can improve in certain subjects and aiming for those improvements. They get a full 10 minutes if they want it. The tutor acknowledges us and if we are lucky we get a question in, but it's very much about them and not what we want to know! At our school Years 7-9 only get to see their tutor and all relevant information is passed to their tutor before the night. Years 10 and 11, apparently they get to see whichever tutors they want.

First year 7 parents evening won't be with all the teachers. You will probably just see his form tutor who will hopefully at least recognise him have feedback from his other teachers. It's more of a pastoral settling in thing than a proper progress report.
The full speed dating thing will happen later in the year.