parent comments/feedback on reports

[monkeywithacowface]

I'm not a teacher but a parent wanting teacher's views. I know it's often useful for teachers to receive the feedback sheet with comments from parent's following end of year reports but what sort of specific feedback do you find really useful? I don't want to write the generic "X has had a great year we are pleased with his/her progress, thank you for your hard work" it just seems a bit empty and this has been a particularly good year and I want the teacher to know that her hard work has made a difference but at the same time I don't want to be all gushing and OTT!

So what sort of feedback do you appreciate or is useful for you?

Just write that: x has had a great year. Thank you to Mrs X for all of her hard work.

I like it when the time taken to write such a detailed report is acknowledged too.

This year I had the nicest ever.

Just say what you want to say. Exactly why you are happy. I helped a particular student achieved something and the family commented on it (miracle)

Very nice to have been acknowledged. Maybe tell the Headteacher also

Tbh if you feel the teacher has been fab and gone above and beyond then write that...gushing or no, they'd love to hear it I'm sure.

In fact I went a step further and wrote to the head and cc'd the chair of governors, as DS's teacher has been completely amazing and is a truly gifted teacher-why shouldn't they know that you feel they've helped your child to such an extent?

Thanks for the replies think I'll go with a general you've been great and one or two examples of how she's helped. will maybe email the head too

When I was at secondary school, my PE report once referred to how I had "a tendency to become lost in team games" which is accurate enough - I think the teacher meant I looked like I didn't know what to do rather than I was so involved the world disappeared, IYSWIM. My dad wrote on the reply slip "does ET's tendency to become lost in PE have anything to do with her coming second-to-last in cross country?" I'm sure the staffroom had a giggle about that...

If it's a good and accurate report a simple thanks and an acknowledgement of the teacher's work. If you barely recognise your child from the report a more questioning response is required.

I have had to do the latter once. That was awkward...

I thanked for their support and expertise in settling DD (new school after Christmas), praised their commitment to a creative and exciting curriculum and asked for a phone call to arrange a meeting about SEN with the new teacher.

I'm a teacher - I NEVER get feedback forms returned!

Please, if the feedback is positive, DO send it in! And copy it to the Head please.

We get s*d all positive feedback and every little bit genuinely means a great deal. :-)

[Leaving teaching at the end of term because I can't take the stress any more.]