OK - first year 7 parent's evening tonight...

[seeker]

,.....is there anything apart from the obvious is she settling in well, is she happy, is she more or less on track academically that I ought to ask?

I think that's all you can ask at this stage. Possibly ask if there are any areas where she might need to concentrate more, both academically and generally. Whether they have any concerns at all.

Be prepared for a culture shock - you may be told your child's position in class! (That took me aback rather last year).

(All your questions sound utterly sensible and I can't think of anything you've missed).

Oh God, Hallgerda, I really don't want to know that - and more to the point, I don't want her to know that. She is cleverer than average, but on the average side of clever,and I am sure she is well down the list in her highly academic school! Oh well, ritual humiliation here I come. Should I wear a hat?

Hat of course, plus twinset and pearls.

Cheer up - you may be pleasantly surprised. At worst, your DD is unlikely to discover anything she didn't know already about position in class - generally the pupils work it out for themselves but don't tell their parents. Hats aren't obligatory in the state sector.