Parent/Carers’ Evenings
Parent/Carers’ Evenings are an extremely valuable opportunity to gain in-person feedback about your son’s/daughter’s academic progress, focusing on the relevant phase they are currently in. This could involve reviewing progress since joining us as new Year 7s, discussions in readiness for Options in Year 9, or feedback and support for Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 in relation to their qualification specifications and subsequent public examinations.
The school provides at least one Parent/Carer Evening per year group per year (key examination year groups usually receive two). Advice around established strengths and areas for development, intervention, and support will be given by your son’s/daughter’s subject teachers.
For all Parent/Carers’ Evenings, we use the SchoolCloud electronic booking system for all in-person appointments. The system enables parents/carers to easily book and view their appointments without the need for paper slips. It also provides teachers with the ability to manage their appointments effectively and allows the school to monitor engagement.
All parents and carers of students will receive an email invitation to the SchoolCloud system via their registered contact email address. All subjects will be available for appointments, and once you log in using your registered email, you can select the times you would like to meet your son’s/daughter’s teachers. Appointments are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are usually 5 minutes in length.
Advice
It is important to focus on the purpose of Parent/Carers’ Evenings. They are a key link in the relationship between the school, your son/daughter, and you as a parent/carer. It is therefore vital that all parents/carers attend and participate fully in them. The main aim is for you to gain as full a picture as possible about the progress your son/daughter has been making in their subjects.
The meetings should focus on the student and be as constructive as possible. To ensure that the meetings are productive, it is a good idea to jot down a list of questions and observations for each subject in advance, so that your appointments are focused and make the most of the limited time available.
At the meeting, you might ask the teacher:
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What is my son’s/daughter’s focus, engagement, and behaviour like in lessons?
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What progress is my son/daughter making in the subject?
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What has my son/daughter achieved in the subject so far this academic year?
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Is my son’s/daughter’s progress in line with the teacher’s expectations?
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Has he or she completed anything particularly well or identified areas that need development?
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What can he or she do to improve?
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How can I support my son/daughter as a parent/carer?
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How can I support the teacher?
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How is my son/daughter getting on with their homework? How regularly is it set?
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What does his or her attainment and progress tell us about possible performance in important future exams?
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Does he or she contribute actively in lessons?
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How does my son/daughter get along with the other students in the class?
If your son/daughter is not making the expected progress towards their target, it might be appropriate to discuss what the obstacles are and agree on how to overcome them.
Constructive Dialogue
Good teaching involves identifying areas for improvement, so please do not be offended if teachers raise concerns that need addressing. Feedback should always be constructive and designed to help your son/daughter achieve their full potential. If your son/daughter is present, try not to sound disappointed or negative. Take the advice of the teacher as a positive step towards future improvement.
Remember, it is rarely helpful to compare your son’s/daughter’s performance to other members of the class or year group — what is important is that they are achieving in line with their own capabilities, not those of others.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Teachers at St Augustine’s have a wealth of knowledge and experience, so please feel free to ask for their guidance and suggestions on how you can help your son/daughter do their best in each subject. If a teacher says something you don’t understand, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Parents/carers are not expected to know everything about a subject or a teaching method.
Follow-up
After the Parent/Carers’ Evening, keep in mind any actions or targets you have agreed with teachers and monitor the expected progress within the discussed timeframe. If progress is not being made, please contact the teacher again to discuss your concerns.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to the following Parent/Carers’ Evening throughout the year, working together with you for the best outcomes for your son/daughter:
Year 7
Wednesday 29th January 2025, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Year 8
Thursday 23rd January 2025, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Year 9
Wednesday 4th December 2024, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Year 10
Thursday 28th November 2024, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Wednesday 30th April 2025, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Year 11
Wednesday 14th October 2024, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Wednesday 15th Januaury 2025, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Year 12
Thursday 12th December 2024, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Thursday 27th March 2025, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Year 13
Thursday 12th December 2024, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
Thursday 27th March 2025, 4.30pm to 7.oopm
SchoolCloud Guidance:
Please find below a complete guide to using the SchoolCloud Parent/Carers’ Evening booking system: