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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Year 7 Parents Evening - Unavailable slots for core subjects

406 replies

User32243535 · 09/02/2018 16:26

Sorry, but this might turn into a bit of a rant.

DC (Y7) attends what is meant to be a well respected grammar school. But at the moment, I am struggling to comprehend how they have developed such a lousy system for arranging parents evening appointments.

DC is our eldest child so we were not acquainted with this system before and didn't see it coming. Basically, we received a report and then according to the report, we were advised (via dc taking a sheet around to their teachers and booking a time slot) to arrange a meeting with the necessary teachers.

DC is a scatter brain and this hasn't helped with making the arrangements but on eventually contacting their teachers for Maths and English. dc was informed that there were no available slots left. Sorry, but Maths and English are core subjects and we care about our dc's education, I am fuming that we are not able to discuss these subjects with the relevant teachers (parents evening is held on just one evening).

DC doesn't have huge difficulties in these areas but reading the report there are one or two areas for improvement and I think it is important to discuss these two subjects in particular.

Anyone else experienced similar? The system of arranging slots on a piece of paper seems outdated from the outset. I e-mailed the head teacher regarding my concerns about dc not securing appointments a few days ago and I haven't received a response and I'm not able to discuss with anyone as the school office is now closed (dc has just informed me of the situation, which I believed would be resolved today.) Quite frankly not impressed with the schools communication either right now in regard to replying to my e-mail. Grrrrh...just so frustrated!

OP posts:
Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 19:48

Sorry Queen, not intimidated enough yet to prevent e-mail from being sent (incidentally, you're not a teacher are you - that would be worrying)

OP posts:
newyearsameme80 · 09/02/2018 19:48

Have you joined the parent council OP? That could be a more appropriate vehicle for change.

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 09/02/2018 19:49

We did similar to toomany

One particular year ds1 had one appointment

We managed to see 12 teachers...he was gutted that we didn't manage the last one, but we were knackered

I think with the 4 minute appointment, computer based system that this is much more difficult

Toomanytealights · 09/02/2018 19:50

Alpaca I have twins. I feel your pain. Just had Year 9 pre options parents evening. He'll.on.earth. This was after racing over from my own school. McDs and gin were consumed on our return. GrinThink the kids would have knocked a glass back too if they could have.

Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 19:51

At the moment Toomany, DC has managed to secure only one of the three appointments so I am in a dilemma as to whether to go along and show our faces (on the off chance of being seen by other teachers but because they are core subjects, probably won't get the opportunity) or forgetting the whole thing altogether. Rubbish system

OP posts:
QueenoftheSilverDollar12 · 09/02/2018 19:53

@User32243535 you've obviously missed my previous couple of posts where I mentioned my interaction with some parents in my rôle as a teacher. Luckily, the vast majority of kids that I teach and their parents are lovely, cooperative and appreciative of our fantastic school and its staff. We don't get many who are a pain in the arse, luckily. Those ones make us chuckle.
A face to face conversation might be more effective than an email just trying to be helpful 😉

Toomanytealights · 09/02/2018 19:54

Email them and go.

Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 19:54

Yes, yes, Toomany...somebody pass the gin...feel like I need it after this!

OP posts:
Toomanytealights · 09/02/2018 19:57

Wanting to see a teacher on a once a year parents evening wouldn't be classed as being a pain in the arse in my book.

TeenTimesTwo · 09/02/2018 19:59

I think the reply will go like this:

Dear User,

Thank you for your email regarding the organisation of parents evenings. I am sorry your DS was unable to make all the appointments you wished. If you contact the staff in question by email I am sure they will answer any queries you have.

As to the wider point of how parents evenings are organised. I acknowledge that these are difficult to organise both from parents' and a staff point of view. Unfortunately within all the constraints we have it is just not possible sometimes for all parents to meet with all the staff they would like.
Let me assure you that we have considered an online system in the past as per your suggestion, but although it offered some benefits, we did not feel that those benefits outweighed the negatives of introducing such a system. However, let me also assure you that we do reassess such matters regularly and your feedback, and that of other parents and also staff, will be taken into account next time.

Thank you again for your time and engagement with the school

Sincerely
Head Teacher.

QueenoftheSilverDollar12 · 09/02/2018 19:59

Who said it was @Toomanytealights?

KittyVonCatsington · 09/02/2018 20:01

OP, I am a teacher in a Grammar School and we use an online booking system. However, we still have the situation where teachers teach more children than there are slots available and therefore, still have parents who can’t make appointments.
I’m not sure how this would solve your issue: in secondary, it is usual for some teachers to teach more children than they can see-it’s not like Primary.
I think you are unreasonable in your stance, although I can understand your annoyance. In addition, your earlier comment that you don’t think in a Grammar, that children would be struggling is off the mark. We have SEND children too and those who were coached just for the 11plus style multiple choice but can’t actually write a sentence.
At the start, a poster suggested emailing the English and Maths teachers directly. I think you should do this, just like most people do.

newyearsameme80 · 09/02/2018 20:02

Why only see 3 teachers? If you saw some of the other ones you’d get a good overall picture of how your child was getting on. Doesn’t have to be just English and maths Confused

Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 20:02

Queen, it is not a matter of being simply appreciative of the school, if something is clearly not working...it about saying so...this also may not go hand in hand with being cooperative (putting up and shutting up). As for the lovely bit...am I really bothered? Many pain in the arses throughout history have instigated change...count me in. Thanks for your helpful advice anyhow.
Thanks toomany...yes...now I'm thinking why should we be left out of the party...just because we haven't got an invite...after the e-mail I'm about to send, I'm going to be famous anyway...the school's comedic parent no less!

OP posts:
QueenoftheSilverDollar12 · 09/02/2018 20:04

I must be missing the point in why you can't just email or phone for feedback. Heyho. You Will definitely be in receipt of a response from the headteacher like one posted just upthread.
What about parents who aren't computer literate or don't have access to online bookings? How would you suggest they made appointments to see teachers? Not everyone has access to IT doncha know.

Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 20:07

Thanks Kitty, it is interesting that from your experience some children do struggle at grammar. We have several grammar schools in this area who rank places based on ability...I think it would take some doing to slip through a loophole in the system here at the particular school dc attends...but I could see it wouldn't be impossible...just a rarity but point taken.

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 09/02/2018 20:08

The trouble with complaining about this (and especially if it is worded as a complaint rather than observation or suggestion), is that when you have something to really complain about, the school might just say 'Oh it's User complaining again' and not take it seriously.

I feel it is better to save interaction with the SLT for when something definitely requires their attention. For example:

  • unaddressed bullying
  • a really rubbish teacher in GCSE years
  • SEN not being given suitable adjustments
or even
  • option blocks not working out and is there any workaround
Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 20:10

Queen...Well they could always revert to the paper booking system and take their chances...just like my dc has had to...

OP posts:
Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 20:13

No, Teen, not labelling it as a complaint...just making a suggestion for change rationally in a semi eloquent manner (whilst implicitly expressing my sheer frustration at the crap system already in place).

OP posts:
KittyVonCatsington · 09/02/2018 20:14

It’s not a rarity user , I’ve taught in two Grammar schools in Kent and we have SEND, Pupil Premium children, use TAs and deal with children who struggle in many areas, due to being coached in a narrow fashion. What ‘system’ are you referring to and what ‘loophole’? Genuinely baffled.

Toomanytealights · 09/02/2018 20:17

A school wouldn't dismiss any of those issues,however many parents evening slots you asked for.

Original poster
User32243535 · 09/02/2018 20:24

Kitty, don't really want to go into loopholes in the 11+ system here because I think that is probably worthy of a different thread altogether. If someone is really struggling...would it not be more appropriate to re-evaluate which school they should in fact be attending...As I said, this is another thread in itself and a subject about which I have no knowledge, therefore, I was both surprised and interested to read your reply about the SEND aspect.

OP posts:
greathat · 09/02/2018 20:25

we have online booking system now. Its a pita as before I could call up the kids that I needed to see first and get them booked in. If kids were lovely and there was no space left I'd offer to stick a note in their planner or tell them to try and find a gap and jump in if they saw me on my own. Its 3 and a half hours of hell though with no time for a wee and means I don't get to relax after a day of teaching until about half 9 at night. Then I have to leave for work at 7am again the next morning. No way do I want to double it up and have an extra parents evening for every year group!

GreenTulips · 09/02/2018 20:28

Have to say DS English teacher has a small class of year 7's (around 14) and 8 of those were no shows - I jumped in when she was free to ask about (DD in a different year group) and she was happy to help!

myrtleWilson · 09/02/2018 20:29

Why after all this - given your DS has secured 1 appt - would you contemplate not going to the parents evening - if nothing else you may be able to chat to other parents and get a sense of how different subjects are going...

My dd is in a v small school but parents evening still takes hours (they use the same method of pupil sign up) but we all rub along and get seen and the teachers are absolute saints - I can't imagine the time commitment it would take in a large school - doffs cap at all the teachers on the thread!