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As we near mid-year, students will soon be receiving end of semester reports, providing a formal indication of how your child is faring on the education front. While important, reports aren’t the only way to learn how your child is coping with school. They’re just one formal document in a myriad of communication opportunities.
Here’s a guide to establishing open communication with your child’s school and making the most of the opportunity.
Throughout the year schools have a number of methods to speak to parents about a student, with arguably one of the most informative being the parent-teacher interview. Usually scheduled once a semester these provide the chance to meet your child’s influencers, gain an insight into their behaviour and academic progress, and ask any questions you may have about their education and improvement.
While the teacher will have information prepared for you, it also pays for parents to consider items you wish to know, and this may include coming armed with a list of questions.
These questions can touch on:
· How your child’s faring at school
· Their attitude to education
· Any strengths and weaknesses
· How they can improve
· What assistance you can offer
· How well they fit in with other children
· Their general confidence in the classroom
You may also wish to use this opportunity to furnish your teacher with information about what’s happening at home, particularly if there are matters that may affect your child’s learning ability or disposition.
At the end of each semester your school will issue a report on your child’s academic progress. While the wording and categories may vary from school to school, the report will indicate two important factors: how well your child is progressing compared to others, and their general attitude to school.
It’s important to understand how your school measures academic outcomes, any scaling they may use, and what they mean by their terminology. Most schools will provide an explanation, but if you need further details, contact the teacher or year co-ordinator.
School feedback and communication isn’t always through formal appointments and written reports, and some of the best indications to how your child is progressing come through getting involved and being accessible.
In primary years, especially the early ones, many schools welcome parent involvement and actively seek helpers in the classroom. This small activity provides a massive insight into how your child behaves and is achieving compared to their peers. It also helps support their learning journey by showing your enthusiasm for their schooling environment.
Generally, every school has an open door policy when it comes to communicating with parents, and this comes in the form of casual chats and appointments. While teachers may not be immediately available for an impromptu chat, if you have concerns or questions relating to your child at any time, schedule an appointment with the relevant person, be it their teacher, the school counsellor, year co-ordinator or principal. And do it sooner, rather than later.
In the interests of the child, you and the school, it’s important not to allow any issues to brew or concerns to remain unresolved, especially if your child is beginning to lag in their education or lose confidence.
Chalkwall specialises in assisting students throughout their education via cutting edge tutoring that allows them to gain confidence in their abilities and meet their learning goals. You can learn more about our services here, or contact us for further advice.
