What Questions Should I Ask at Parents Evening?

Posts contain affiliate links, see disclosure for more details.

Parents’ evening is a valuable opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of your child’s progress, both academically and personally. It’s a chance to strengthen communication between home and school, ensuring you’re working together to support your child’s growth. However, these meetings are often short, so having a few thoughtful questions prepared in advance can make the most of your time.

Below are some key questions to ask at parents’ evening, grouped by theme to help guide your conversation, inspired by the practices of this independent school in Surrey.

1. Understanding Academic Progress

Start by getting an overview of how your child is performing in class. Every teacher will have insights not just into grades, but also into effort, participation, and improvement. Try asking:

  • How is my child performing compared to expectations for their age or year group?
  • What are their particular strengths and areas for improvement?
  • How do they respond to challenges or more difficult topics?
  • Are they making steady progress, or are there any areas where they’re struggling?

These questions will help you identify where your child may need extra support at home, or where they’re excelling and could be stretched further.

2. Asking About Learning Habits and Attitude

Beyond marks and results, it’s important to understand how your child approaches their learning. Teachers observe daily behaviours and can offer useful feedback about your child’s attitude, focus, and motivation.
 You could ask:

  • Does my child seem engaged and enthusiastic in lessons?
  • How well do they work independently and in groups?
  • Do they complete homework on time and to a good standard?
  • How do they handle feedback or correction?

These questions can reveal patterns that may affect your child’s learning, such as confidence issues, organisation skills, or focus during lessons.

3. Supporting Wellbeing and Confidence

A child’s happiness and confidence have a direct impact on how well they learn. Parents’ evening is also a good moment to check in on their emotional and social development.
 Consider asking:

  • How does my child get along with others in the class?
  • Do they contribute to discussions and classroom activities?
  • Have you noticed any signs of anxiety, frustration, or disengagement?
  • Are there school initiatives to support wellbeing or resilience that my child could benefit from?

These insights can help you support your child’s confidence and ensure they feel comfortable and secure at school.

4. Looking Ahead

Finally, parents’ evening isn’t just about the present — it’s about planning for what comes next. Whether your child is preparing for exams, moving up a year, or transitioning to a new school, this is your chance to get practical advice.
 You might ask:

  • What goals should my child focus on before the next parents’ evening?
  • Are there resources or activities that could help them improve at home?
  • What skills will be important for them to develop over the next few months?

Making the Most of the Conversation

Bring a notebook to jot down key points, and don’t be afraid to ask for examples if something isn’t clear. Teachers appreciate when parents show interest and want to work collaboratively — it demonstrates shared commitment to the child’s success.

By asking the right questions, you’ll leave parents’ evening with a deeper understanding of your child’s progress and a clear plan for how to support them moving forward.

Similar Posts