This is a collaborative post
Parents’ evenings are really important to help you understand where your child is at with their studies and how you can help them further. It’s also a good opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and explore ways to support them both inside and outside of school.
When heading out to a parents’ evening it’s also a good idea to have a list of questions that can make meetings with teachers a lot easier. Here are 10 questions this sixth form in Wolverhampton recommends.
1. How is my child getting on in school?
A solid question to start with is going to be how your child is managing in school, from the workload to the approach they have to learning. Teachers will be able to give you a summary of how a child is doing and how they can support them.
2. How is my child getting on with the other children in their class?
This is a good question to ask to ensure how your child is making new friends or if there is a risk of bullying. A teacher is going to have more exposure to key behaviours that children possess, so they may know a lot more than you think.
3. Where do you think my child’s strengths are?
This is where teachers can sing the many praises of your child and get into real detail. This will include how they’re developing their personal skills, social development and individual studies.
4. Do you think my child is doing their best in lessons?
Many teachers will be asked this, and it’s normal to see dips and troughs in your child’s progress. Be understandable and see what your child’s teachers recommend.
5. Is my child where they should be in terms of progress?
Most parents worry about their child’s growth throughout school but it’s okay to ask your child’s teachers about this. See where you can offer reasonable advice to your child.
6. Where do you think my child could improve?
Every child will have weak areas, which is why parents’ evenings are so important. You can see what your child’s teachers see and how your child can be supported in the best ways.
7. What can I do at home to support my child?
Are there any new ways your child’s teachers can help with your child’s studies? Or are there ways you can support their mental well-being? Either way, it’s important to ask about this to offer direction.
8. Do you recommend any study resources?
In the run-up to exams, this will be crucial. See if they recommend any other ways to pick up on their studies that will help them retain information and revise better.
9. How much time should my child be spending on their homework?
This will vary across the months, of course, but it’s still important to see where your child should be prioritising their time. If your child is taking too long it’s worth raising this with their teachers.
10. If I need to contact you in future, what’s the best way to reach you?
If your teacher is willing they can share their contact details with you, or how best to reach you during school time.
So long as you ask your child’s teachers plenty of questions you can get down to the important points you need to know about their progress. And it will help you and your child work out how best to support each other in their studying journey.
