Parents’ evening is a valuable opportunity to gain insight into your child’s academic progress, wellbeing, and overall development at school. While teachers will usually have key points prepared, it’s worth going in with your own questions to make the most of the time. Inspired by the teachings of this prep school in Hampshire, below are some ideas to help guide the conversation and ensure you leave feeling informed and reassured.
Academic Progress and Attainment
A good starting point is to understand how your child is performing in relation to expectations for their age or year group. You might ask:
• How is my child progressing in each subject compared to the expected standard?
• Are there particular strengths or areas where they are exceeding expectations?
• Which areas need the most improvement, and how can we support this at home?
This will give you a clear picture of your child’s academic standing and any targeted areas for growth.
Effort and Engagement in Class
Progress isn’t only about grades — attitude and participation play a big role. Questions could include:
• Does my child contribute to class discussions and activities?
• Do they show curiosity and a willingness to learn?
• Are they completing homework to a good standard and on time?
The answers can highlight how motivated your child is and whether they are making the most of lessons.
Social Skills and Wellbeing
School is also about developing relationships and emotional resilience. Asking about social aspects can help you understand how your child is coping beyond academics:
• How does my child interact with their peers?
• Are there any concerns about friendships, confidence, or behaviour?
• Do they seem happy and settled at school?
This can give you an early indication of any issues and an opportunity to work with the school to address them.
Support and Resources
If your child is facing challenges, knowing what help is available is important. Consider asking:
• What support is in place for students who are struggling?
• Are there any resources, clubs, or extra sessions my child should take part in?
• How can we reinforce learning at home?
Teachers can often suggest specific resources or strategies to boost learning and confidence.
Next Steps and Goals
It’s useful to finish the meeting with a clear idea of what to focus on moving forward. Questions might include:
• What should my child prioritise over the next term?
• Are there upcoming assessments or projects we should prepare for?
• How will the school measure progress in these areas?
Agreeing on a shared plan between school and home can make it easier to track improvements.
Parents’ evening is a two-way conversation. Teachers want to work with you to help your child succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask questions — even if they feel small. By covering academic progress, effort, social wellbeing, support, and clear next steps, you’ll come away with a fuller understanding of how your child is doing and how you can help them thrive.
