Parent evening

[Hopeful646]

My son is in year 7 and has his first parent evening in a few weeks . What are other peoples experiences of their child accompanying them to parent evening . The school have said it's up to the parent but can be a good experience for the child . Any advice much appreciated . Thanks

well for teachers that have lots of classes it does mean you're sure the teacher is talking about your child....

I've taken dds since year 5 I think (when they started middle school). I think it's helpful as any questions can be sorted at the time. So there's no chance for dd1 to argue that when the teacher said she'd not done x bits of homework, what she actually meant was they were all done but late.

We always take ours. They need to hear what the teacher has to say from the horses mouth so that you can all be working together. By Y5 at least they should be taking responsibility for their own learning (with less and less support)

We took ours and they got their excuses in in the car on the way.

Seems to be the way of things these days. Have experienced both sides of the desk as parent of Yr9 son and an ex secondary school teacher. Sometimes its good to have just the parents on their own so you can tell it like it is rather than having to pussy foot around with the chid there; likewise it can be beneficial to praise/discuss difficulties with child in front of their parents (amazing how compliant they can suddenly become!). I think it can make it easier for teachers when child is in tow as if there's little to say or parents are a bit awkward/reticent, the focus can switch to the child and how they think they're doing.

My son accompanies us on his parents evenings and I'm fine with it, though occasionally slip into coded teacher lingo in sensitive areas. Besides, his school is vast and we would never ever find any of the rooms we're supposed to be in without him.

Haven't been much help really have I?! Pros and cons. If there's something you need to discuss confidentially with a teacher I'm sure they'd be happy to chat to you on the phone or meet you another time.

We had ours the other evening and I would say 90% of the kids were there with parents. I do find it good to have ds there as I think it doesn't do any harm for him to know I know!

Thanks for the replies , will take him along and see how it goes. I'm sure there won't be too many surprises in a quick 5 min chat to the teachers.

We are not allowed to take DC until year 9 I think. DD1 is year 7 and we have our first one next week.

I always left them at home at primary/junior school, but at secondary I always take them. I think when we both know what the teacher has said, we can see if any improvements need to be made together.
Also, I would be lost in my sons school and he knows where to find the teachers

Senior school everyone brings their DCs (I was very much the exception when I let DD2 go to her extracurricular activity and I went on my own to her Y7 one.

DD2 is/was a very well behaved set one pupil who's parents evenings are totally

I'm not certain her Y8 one will be, I think she's been being a bit talkative and lazy. Not helped by a few substandard supply teachers and some equally chatty friends.

Yes you do need a DC the first time, to find everybody.

You need your ds there
a) so he can direct you to the right teachers
b) so the teacher realises who they should be talking about