Why preparing the right questions matters 

Parents' evenings move quickly. Before you know it, eight minutes have passed, you’re already behind schedule, and there’s a line of parents waiting.

Having a clear set of questions – both the ones you intend to ask and the ones parents often want answered – helps you guide the conversation, stay focused, and make every minute count. 

These questions can be your anchor points: they help you steer the discussion, remember important details and make sure every family walks away feeling informed, reassured, and valued. 

Questions teachers can ask for meaningful parents' evening conversations

These questions help you understand the student’s world beyond the classroom and build a stronger partnership with families. 

1. Understanding context and wellbeing 

• How is your child feeling about school at the moment? 

• Have you noticed any changes in their confidence, friendships, or general wellbeing? 

• Is there anything happening at home that might affect their learning or behaviour? 

2. Learning habits and support 

• What does homework look like at home? Are there any challenges? 

• How does your child talk about their learning? 

• Are there any subjects they’re feeling especially confident with or worried about? 

3. Identifying parent priorities 

• What would you most like us to focus on over the next term? 

• Are there skills or behaviours you’d like extra support with? 

• Is there anything your child really wants to achieve this year? 

4. Additional support needs 

• Have you noticed anything we should be aware of such as attention, sensory needs or anxiety? 

• Is there anything we can adjust in class to better support your child? 

Questions parents often ask teachers during parents' evenings

ParentsÌýwant to gain clarity,ÌýreassuranceÌýand actionable insight from theirÌýmeetingsÌýwith teachers.

These areÌýcommon questionsÌýthey bring toÌýparents' eveningsÌý– preparing answers for these ahead of time helps the conversationÌýflow, andÌýensures youÌýdon’tÌýforget any details.Ìý

1. Academic progressÌý

• How is my child progressing compared to expectations for their year level?Ìý

• Are they on track with literacy/numeracy?Ìý

• Which areas should we focus on at home?Ìý

2. Behaviour and participationÌý

• How do they behave in class?Ìý

• Are they engaged in lessons?Ìý

• How do they work with others?Ìý

3. Social and emotional developmentÌý

• Are they making friends easily?Ìý

• Is their confidence growing?Ìý

• How do they handle challenges or mistakes?Ìý

4. Classroom routines and expectationsÌý

• Is their homework completed to the right standard?Ìý

• Do they stay organised?Ìý

• How well do they follow instructions?Ìý

5. Support and next stepsÌý

• What can we do at home to help?Ìý

• Are there school programs that couldÌýassistÌýthem?Ìý

• What will the next term or several terms of learning look like?

Parents’ evening at nursery and pre-schoolÌý

At nursery or pre-school,ÌýparentsÌýare often navigatingÌýparents’ eveningÌýfor the first time. They may ask:Ìý

• Are they settling in well?

• How are they developing socially?Ìý

• Are there early signs of strengths or areas needing support?Ìý

• Are they meeting early learning milestones?Ìý

As a teacher, you can ask:Ìý

• How is your child adjusting to routines?Ìý

• What helps calm or soothe them at home?Ìý

• What activities do they enjoy most outside school?Ìý

Tips for guiding conversations and staying on trackÌý

A solid set of questions makes life easier, but your approach matters just as much. Here are a few simple ways to keepÌýinterviews smooth, supportive, and purposeful:Ìý

• Start with positives to set a constructive toneÌý

• Keep an eye on the clock with a phone timer or by using meeting software with a built‑in countdownÌý

• Use your notes so you can stay focused and remember key pointsÌý

• Invite parent voice early by asking their priorities upfront – this makes them feel heard and helps you know where to direct the conversationÌý

• End with next steps and clear follow-up actions, as these give families clarity and confidenceÌý

Want to makeÌýparents’ evenings even easier?

ÌÇÐÄVlogÌýParents’ MeetingsÌýhelps schools run fair, on-time, and well-organised parents' evening –Ìýwhether in‑person, online, or hybrid.Ìý

Schools love it because:Ìý

• Video meetings are secure and simple, with no app neededÌý

• A built‑in countdown timer ends appointments right on timeÌý

• ´¡³Ü³Ù´Ç‑a»å±¹²¹²Ô³¦±ð movesÌýparentsÌýto the next teacher without delaysÌý

• ItÌýintegrates with your school management system, saving precious admin timeÌý

• Reporting shows you the students without appointments, teacher load, and most popular timesÌý

• Staff can use single sign-on for quick accessÌý

Our free guide shows you howÌýÌÇÐÄVlogÌýParents’ Meetings can help your school have smootherÌýinterviews – with less admin and less stress.Ìý

Read the guide