Parents’ evening is a valuable opportunity to understand how your child is progressing at school. Whether it’s your first or fifteenth, knowing how to make the most of it ensures you leave with helpful insights and a clear sense of how to support your child’s education at home.
Prepare in Advance
This prep school in London recommends to start by taking some time to reflect on how your child is doing at home. Are they finding any subjects particularly difficult? Have they mentioned any challenges with homework, friends, or certain teachers? It’s also helpful to review their latest school reports or assessments. Jot down any questions or concerns so that you’re ready to raise them during your appointment.
If your school uses an online booking system, try to book appointments in a logical order – for example, starting with core subjects or those your child is struggling with. Be mindful of timing to avoid a rushed or stressful evening.
Involve Your Child
Parents’ evening is about your child, so involve them in the process. Ask them how they feel about school, what they enjoy, and what they might want to improve. This gives you a fuller picture and may help uncover concerns they haven’t openly shared.
It’s also a good idea to ask if there’s anything they’d like you to mention to their teachers – giving them a sense of agency in their own learning journey.
Ask the Right Questions
Time with each teacher is usually limited, so make sure your questions are focused and constructive. Examples include:
- How is my child progressing compared to the expected level?
- What are their strengths in this subject?
- Are there any areas they should focus on improving?
- How can we support their learning at home?
These questions help build a rounded understanding of both academic progress and attitude to learning.
Listen and Take Notes
During each meeting, take notes so you can refer back later – especially if you’re seeing multiple teachers in one evening. Try to keep an open mind and focus on what the teacher is saying, even if you hear something unexpected or challenging.
Teachers will often provide feedback on both academic achievement and behaviour or participation in class, so listen out for recurring themes across subjects.
Follow Up
Once the evening is over, sit down with your child to go through what was discussed – in a positive and supportive way. Celebrate any praise they received and talk calmly about any areas for improvement.
If actions were agreed with a teacher – such as extra reading, asking for more help in class, or working on specific topics – make a plan to follow through at home.
Parents’ evening is a great way to strengthen the partnership between home and school. By preparing well, asking thoughtful questions, and following up afterwards, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how your child is getting on – and how you can best support them going forward.
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