Year 7 parents’ evening

[RosieBdy]

DS has his first secondary school parents’ evening coming up...
He has to go around the various teachers and get them to give him a slot...
Do we really need to see ALL his teachers? Is it just something we have to get on with?!
I’ve told him to get the main ones booked in first then we’ll see what gaps he’s got left and what we can fit in... does that sound ok? So his tutor, Eng, maths, science, RE (it’s a Catholic school) plus music as that’s his thing and he said he’d like us to see his history teacher because he really likes history.
Will we come across as uncaring parents?!
I think that the ICT teacher teaches 7 sets of year 7s so obviously can’t fit them all in!!
We’ve already had 2 mini reports home with grades of how he’s doing...

I wouldn't bother with the form tutor. I'm a form tutor of a y7 form, but I can't really say much about my form that their parents don't already know, like their personality or friends.

No, you don't need to see all the teachers.

We do the same as you, core subjects, special interests, and the others only if a pressing need.

I have never spoken to a PE or Music or Art teacher at parents evening.

Generally try to think of at most 3 things you want to know or say for each teacher. 5 minutes is not long. Some teachers will know what they want to say, others will start with 'so tell me X, how do YOU think you are doing', which stuns my DC into silence.

Thank you both. That’s great.
TeenTimesTwo yes, that would stun my DS into horror!!
MsAwesomeDragon I hadn’t really thought about it like that... I see your point. He’s (generally) a quiet/ good boy and I suppose only seeing them for 20 mins a day doesn’t give a lot of scope for getting to know them...

Don't bother the form tutor.

Concentrate on the subjects he is having difficulty with. Seeing a teacher just to be told 'x is doing very well, he's on/above target, is a pleasent member of the class, always contributes' etc, in my experience is a waste of both your time.

See the teacher where he needs direction, support to get to a higher level, lacks confidence etc.