There! I’ve said it! Don’t hate me! I’m not sure what it is that I like about them – it’s difficult to put into words but I always feel that another piece of the jigsaw falls into place when you meet students with their parents or even just their parents.

Several years ago I came to the conclusion that I was repeating “the boring” stuff like the course they are following etc and parents only really want to hear about the student, so I put together a one page information sheet that I hand over (HERE is a copy if you want to adapt it for your own use). I have adapted this for Alcester Academy and included an image of my “how to revise maths” poster; I’ve also done it so that the revision guide slip doesn’t spoil the image on the rear when cut off. What was especially nice is that I got to get them printed in colour (spoilt! I know!) and together with a Top 40 DVD (just in case the internet is ever down and students can’t access JustMathsOnline) I handed them over with a wink and the comment “so there can be no excuses about not being able to revise” – made quite an impression with parents.

What is a particularly nice touch is that anyone that wasn’t able to attend will get a copy of the document and DVD posted out to them next week so that they know they we haven’t forgotten them and they also haven’t missed out on anything important.

This week’s year 11 evening was from my perspective perfectly timed; having done an assessment a few weeks ago and followed by a few weeks of teaching I’m starting to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of our “super group”. In the past it has always been a point of discussion about the best time to hold the event as you want it to have a positive impact but don’t want to peak too early or leave it too late in the year, especially as year 11 is so crucial and I don’t think we got it quite right previously to suit all subjects.

So given that I enjoyed it so much … imagine my excitement when I found out that we get TWO consultation evenings with year 11, with the next one after Christmas! This is just brilliant as the next one will be after a mock result and on the home stretch … I can’t wait!

PS: Just re-read that and I hope you don’t think I am being sarcastic. For once I am being genuine!!