1. NQT Induction Session 13th October 2010
Successful Parents’ Evenings
Do Don’t
…be Professional …surprise the parent if there are serious
• Extra attention to appearance, concerns. This should have been raised before
especially after a full day’s teaching! parents’ evening
• Polite, professional manner at all
times – not over familiar …use jargon, acronyms or specialist subject
• Open body language, eye contact, language – explain any educational terms you
smile need to use
…be prepared …talk about other pupils / whole class
• Ensure you know the data well – pick
up specific issues that parents will be …focus too much on behaviour – put this into
concerned about especially if already the context of the pupil’s progress
highlighted on ePortal
• Print out photo sheets for classes to …bluff – if you can’t answer a question promise
ensure you are always talking about to investigate and get back to the parent. Don’t
the correct pupil make promises you can’t keep.
…support your comments with evidence …be confrontational, argumentative or
defensive – use clear objective evidence, facts
• Use examples of pupil work to support
are friendly
your comments if possible
• Give specific examples of something …tolerate confrontational or abusive parents –
the pupil has done well/needs to end interview at once if you feel intimidated in
improve any way or are abused. Refer to member of
leadership team at front entrance immediately
…be honest
• Give clear feedback on how the pupil
is progressing
• Give clear ideas on what they need to
do to progress further (even if they are
doing really well)
• Ensure any negative comments have a
positive target to help pupil progress
…stick to the time allocation
• Keep discussion focussed on progress
of pupil
• Use clear ‘cues’ to end of meeting e.g.
“Are there any other questions or
concerns you have?” / summarise
…listen to parents and respect their role
• Seek their views on best approaches
to learning for their child
• Involve them in learning – let them
know the kinds of things they can do
to support their child’s progress at
home, useful resources, VLE etc.
• Make it clear that communication with

2. NQT Induction Session 13th October 2010
home can extend beyond parents’
evenings if necessary