Key takeaways for having a successful parents’ evening:
- Plan well in advance – raise awareness for the evening early on
- Consider how parents will book slots
- Prepare useful resources such as maps or physical displays
- Don’t forget accessibility – do you need to make reasonable adjustments?
- Staff should ensure they are presentable, punctual and organised
- Teachers should take a personal and tailored approach to each student
Parent evenings are a great chance for schools and teachers to connect with families, share updates, and build stronger partnerships to support each student’s growth. With lots of moving parts, how do you ensure you have a successful parents’ evening? In this article, we will cover our key parents’ evening tips to help schools host a productive and welcoming evening.
Preparation
The first step to a successful school parents’ evening is preparation. This includes logistical planning and scheduling of the evening, as well as raising awareness. It’s important to raise awareness and inform staff, students and parents of the date well in advance. This will allow parents sufficient time to accommodate the evening and ensure they and their children are available to attend. Newsletters, handouts and the school’s website are all great platforms for raising awareness of the parents’ evening. Utilising a range of methods is important so that you can reach as many people as possible, ensuring no one goes uninformed.
You will need to review how parents will book slots with teachers. Will parents book timings that suit them or will teachers allocate the slots? Will you change your booking system from the previous year or stay the same? The method you choose will largely depend on what works best for your school and the resources available. Additionally, try not to cram too many appointments close together so that teachers can have notes ready for each student and any meeting that run over don’t affect the schedule too heavily.
Lastly, preparing some useful resources can have a huge impact on how smoothly the evening runs. Creating maps will help parents find each meeting which is particularly important in larger schools. Having brochures available to hand out on the day is a great way to promote other aspects of the school community such as other upcoming events or extracurricular activities. Plus, they make a great read in between appointments! Displays such as pavement signs and banner stands are great options for signposting and navigating around the event. Each department having their own banner can be a great option for displaying recent work & helping parents to find the right department.
Other branding tools such as custom printed tablecloths can be a great tool for giving a professional and personal finishing touch, while literature dispensers are ideal for distributing brochures and information.
Accessibility
Accessibility is often overlooked when it comes to school events, yet it’s essential for creating an inclusive environment where all parents can engage fully in their child’s education. To ensure that everyone is accommodated, start by evaluating the physical accessibility of the event venue. Don’t forget to consider the parents – ask for any reasonable adjustments prior to the day to ensure a smooth experience for them. Is there sufficient space for wheelchair users to navigate comfortably and are ramps or elevators available for areas above the ground floor? Consider the placement of meetings and ensure that those with low mobility have their meetings on the ground floor.
Alternatively, consider other disabilities such as hard of hearing or blind individuals. Provide services such as sign language interpreters or ensure informational materials are available in accessible formats like braille.
Lastly, for those who cannot attend in person due to health concerns, distance, or personal obligations, offering virtual appointments can be invaluable. Virtual appointments allow everyone to have an equal opportunity to be involved in their child’s education.
On-the-day
So you’ve meticulously prepared and planned for parents’ evening, and today is the big day. Now, what essential factors should you keep in mind to ensure the event is meaningful? First and foremost, in addition to looking the part, staff need to be punctual and organised. Each teacher should have up-to-date notes on each student easily accessible. This organisation helps create a seamless flow of information, making each meeting as smooth and informative as possible for parents.
During these meetings, maintaining a positive and personable approach is key. Teachers should make an effort to highlight each student’s unique strengths, celebrate their progress, and constructively address challenges. Teachers should discuss how parents can support their child’s education at home and offer a partnership approach. This might include encouraging regular reading or helping with homework. A collaborative approach creates an open-line of communication and can boost a student’s motivation, academic success and personal growth.
Hosting a successful parents’ evening is all about preparation, clear communication, and creating an inclusive atmosphere. By taking the time to plan logistics schools can build stronger connections with students. This not only enhances the school community but also plays a vital role in supporting each student’s journey. Keep these tips in mind for your next parents’ evening to make it a productive and enjoyable experience for everyone.
