What Questions Should I Ask At Parents’ Evening

Parents’ evening is a valuable opportunity to understand how your child is progressing at school, both academically and socially. It is also a chance to build a strong partnership with your child’s teachers so that you can support learning at home. Many supportive learning environments, including several well-regarded boarding school options across Kent, encourage parents to make the most of these meetings by asking thoughtful, targeted questions.

To help you feel prepared and confident, here are some of the most useful questions to consider asking during parents’ evening.

How Is My Child Getting On Academically?

This is usually the first thing parents want to know. Rather than simply asking whether your child is doing well, try to go a little deeper. Ask about their strengths, the areas where they may need extra practice and how their progress compares to where they should be at this stage. This will help you build a clearer picture of their current learning needs.

Are There Any Gaps in Their Understanding?

Teachers can often spot patterns before children do. Ask if there are any topics your child finds challenging or subjects where they may benefit from extra support. Understanding these gaps early allows you to help your child at home or seek additional resources if needed.

How Does My Child Approach Learning?

A child’s effort, attitude and study habits are just as important as their grades. Questions such as “Do they stay focused in class?”, “How do they respond to feedback?” or “Are they confident asking for help?” can give you valuable insight into how your child behaves and learns in the classroom.

How Does My Child Interact with Others?

Social development is a major part of school life. Ask how your child gets along with classmates, whether they participate in group work and how they manage friendships. This helps you understand their social confidence, wellbeing and emotional development.

What Can We Do at Home to Support Their Progress?

Teachers appreciate parents who want to work together. Asking for simple, practical strategies helps create consistency between school and home. This might include recommended reading, practising certain skills or encouraging particular routines that support learning.

Is My Child Making the Most of School Opportunities?

Many schools offer enrichment activities, clubs and additional learning experiences. Ask whether your child participates in these and if there are opportunities that might benefit them. Encouraging your child to explore new interests helps build confidence and broadens their skills.

What Goals Should My Child Focus on Nex?

Parents’ evening is an ideal time to set clear, achievable goals for the term ahead. Ask teachers what your child’s next steps should be, whether academic, social or organisational. Having shared goals helps everyone stay aligned and makes progress easier to track.

Is There Anything Else I Should Be Aware Of?

Teachers may have observations that do not naturally fit into other questions, so this is a helpful way to ensure you do not miss anything important. It gives the teacher space to share additional insights about your child’s behaviour, wellbeing or achievements.

Making the Most of Parents’ Evening

Parents’ evening is not just a meeting; it is a chance to build a supportive partnership that strengthens your child’s learning journey. Asking thoughtful questions helps you understand their progress, identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes. Many nurturing educational settings, including several respected boarding schools throughout Kent, encourage this collaborative approach to help children thrive both academically and personally.

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