Parent-teacher meetings are a key opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Whether it’s a quick chat with a single teacher in primary school or a whirlwind of back-to-back appointments in secondary school, navigating these evenings can be a bit of a challenge.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of this important time—and a few lighthearted reminders along the way!
1. Know When Parents’ Evening Is Happening
It might sound obvious, but the first hurdle can often be knowing when the meeting is scheduled! If your child is prone to forgetting things or leaving notes buried in their school bag, it’s worth keeping an eye on the school newsletter, app, or website. Some schools even send text or email reminders to parents.
Lighthearted Tip: Ask your child outright—it might save you the treasure hunt through their bookbag or PE kit!
2. Prepare in Advance
Going into parents’ evening with a plan can make the experience more productive and less stressful. Write down any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss. For example:
- How is my child doing academically compared to their peers?
- Are there any areas where they’re excelling or struggling?
- How do they interact with others in class?
- What can we do at home to support their learning?
If you have specific concerns—such as a drop in grades, behavioural changes, or learning difficulties—note them down so you don’t forget to bring them up during the meeting.
3. Understand the Difference Between Primary and Secondary School Meetings
Whether your child is 7 or 17, parent’s evening is the perfect opportunity to see where they are in their learning. However, there is a big difference between parent’s evening at primary school and secondary school. Let’s take a look.
Primary School
In primary school, parents’ evenings are often simpler, as you’re usually meeting with one teacher who knows your child well. These meetings tend to be more holistic, covering academic progress, behaviour, and social skills.
Tip: Use this opportunity to get a full picture of how your child is doing. Ask about their friendships, participation in class, and how they respond to challenges.
Secondary School
In secondary school, things can get a bit more chaotic. You’ll typically need to make individual appointments with multiple subject teachers, which can lead to a packed evening and a lot of walking around!
Tip: Prioritise which teachers you need to see based on your child’s strengths and challenges. If time is limited, focus on core subjects like English, maths, and science.
4. Be Respectful of Time
Teachers often have tight schedules during parents’ evening, with just 5–10 minutes allocated per appointment. Be concise and focused during your meeting to ensure you cover the most important points. If you feel you need more time to discuss a particular issue, ask if it’s possible to arrange a follow-up conversation.
5. Listen to Feedback—Even the Tough Bits
Hearing that your child is struggling or misbehaving can be difficult, but remember that teachers are there to help, not criticise. Keep an open mind and work collaboratively to find solutions.
Tip: If something surprising comes up, don’t feel pressured to respond immediately. It’s okay to say, “I’d like to think about this and follow up later.”
6. Ask for Suggestions
Teachers often have great insights into how you can support your child’s learning at home. Whether it’s a recommendation for extra reading, tips for improving study habits, or advice on tackling specific challenges, don’t hesitate to ask.
Example Question: “What can we do at home to help [child’s name] build their confidence in maths?”
7. Follow Up After the Meeting
After parents’ evening, take a moment to review the notes you’ve made. Share key points with your child in a positive and constructive way. If there are actions you’ve agreed to with teachers, make a plan to follow through on them, whether that’s arranging extra support, creating a study schedule, or encouraging new habits.
How Tutor Doctor Can Help
At Tutor Doctor, we know that every child is unique. Whether your child is excelling and needs extra challenges, or struggling and could benefit from personalised support, our one-to-one tutoring services are tailored to meet their individual needs.
Find your nearest Tutor Doctor location today, and let’s work together to help your child achieve their full potential—both in and out of the classroom.
Wishing you a smooth and productive parents’ evening experience!
