11 questions to ask in your first parent teacher conference

The start of the new academic year has come and gone, your child has settled into their new school and now you’re preparing for your first parent teacher conference.

That opening meeting with your child’s teacher, typically six to eight weeks into the first term, sets the tone for the year. For many families, choosing an international school is the result of months of careful research and visits. Whether you're a returning family, new to the school, or still getting to grips with the British international education system, this first conference is where you start to see that choice play out. It is your chance to understand how learning works at the school and where your child may need support.

Plan ahead of time what to ask your child’s teacher

With limited time in each parent teacher conference, preparation is key. Before your meeting, review your child’s past work and reports, noting any patterns or questions you'd like to share. Above all, treat the session as a collaborative, two-way dialogue - the teacher will have valuable insights and questions to share as well.

Asking the right questions helps you better understand your child’s academic performance, gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses, and build a collaborative partnership with their teacher for the year ahead.

If you’re unsure where to begin, the following questions can help guide a meaningful conversation during your first parent teacher conference of the new academic year:

Settling in and wellbeing

1. What would be helpful for you to know about my child from home?

A parent teacher conference works best as a two-way exchange. Sharing context - a change at home, how your child talks about school, what motivates them - gives the teacher information they won't get anywhere else.

2. How has my child settled into the class socially?

Social development is just as crucial as academic progress. This question helps reveal how your child interacts with peers and participates in class.

3. Who can my child go to if they feel worried or unsure?

Since challenges will inevitably arise throughout the school year, it is important to know who your child can turn to for support.

Progress and expectations

4. How is my child doing against where you would expect them to be?

This helps you evaluate your child's progress against class expectations and understand how the teacher will track their trajectory through the year. You can then set realistic goals together.

5. Are there any gaps from their previous curriculum we should be aware of?

This is a particularly useful question if you’re coming from a different school or school system. Identifying any gaps in their learning will help you support them while they get up to speed. Our primary and lower secondary, International GCSE and International A level curriculum guides are a useful reference if you want to see how the stages fit together.

6. Is there a specific area you'd like us to focus on together this year?

Instead of a general progress update, this question invites the teacher to identify a specific priority, giving you a clear goal for support at home.

How learning works at the school

7. How do you approach homework and independent work?

Understanding how the school approaches homework gives you a window into what your child is learning and helps you offer the right kind of support.

8. What assessments are coming up this year, and what are they measuring?

If your school offers onscreen assessment as an alternative to paper-based assessments at International GCSE and/or International A level, ask how your child can best prepare for each format. If you are unfamiliar with any assessment tools, ask the teacher for clarification to ensure you fully understand your child's performance metrics.

Supporting at home

9. What is the most useful thing I can do at home to help?

Reinforce classroom learning at home by asking the teacher for practical strategies tailored to your child’s needs. Whether it's daily reading or using an educational app, even small, consistent efforts can make a significant difference.

10. Is there anything my child finds difficult that we could work on together?

It’s important to understand what challenges your child might be facing and to develop a collaborative strategy with the teacher to tackle them.

Staying in touch

11. What is the best way to reach you, and how often should we check in?

Every teacher and school will differ in how they like to be communicated with. Asking this shows respect for a teacher’s time but signals that you’re keen to stay in touch.

Next steps after your parent teacher conference

A successful parent teacher conference is built on collaboration, with you and your child’s teacher working together as partners. Approaching the meeting prepared with open-ended questions will foster a productive dialogue and show willingness to contribute and collaborate.

By the end of the session, you should have a clear understanding of your child’s strengths, specific goals for improvement, a follow-up plan and actionable ways to provide support at home.

After the meeting, remember to 'close the loop' by sharing the outcome with your child. Highlight positive feedback to build their confidence and frame areas for improvement as opportunities for growth. Focus on the specific solutions you and the teacher agreed upon. By including your child in the process, you are helping them to take ownership of their own learning journey.

Ultimately, your first parent teacher conference is the foundation of a year-long partnership between you and your child’s educators. By arriving prepared, asking insightful questions and maintaining open communication, you are doing more than tracking academic progress; you are creating a supportive, collaborative relationship that will help your child to thrive.

Further reading

For more on what to expect at each stage, our For Parents page has factsheets, curriculum guides and onscreen assessment explainers you can dip into ahead of future conversations with your child's teacher.