12 questions to ask at your first Year 7 parents' evening
Team Notenix·Updated 7 November 2026· 5 min read
Secondary parents' evenings are short: often five minutes per teacher. Going in with a few specific questions turns a polite chat into something you can act on.
About progress
- Which topics has my child found hardest so far this year?
- Is there anything from primary school they seem to be missing?
- How does their classwork compare with their homework and tests?
- What would move them up a level or grade in your subject this term?
About effort and habits
- Is homework handed in on time and complete?
- How do they get on in lessons: do they ask questions, and do they seem confident?
- Is there anything they avoid or rush?
About what to do at home
- What is the single most useful thing we could practise at home?
- Which resources or websites do you recommend for this subject?
- When is the next assessment, and what will it cover?
- How do you prefer parents to get in touch if we have a concern?
- Is there any extra help available at school (clubs, catch-up sessions)?
After the evening
Write down the two or three topics that came up most often and check them at home over the next few weeks. Our free Year 7 notes and practice questions are organised by topic, and the free Notenix week gives you an independent report across Maths, Science and English.
Questions parents ask
What should I ask at a Year 7 parents' evening?
Ask which topics your child finds hardest, whether homework is complete and on time, what would help them improve this term, and the single most useful thing to practise at home.
How long are secondary school parents' evening appointments?
Often around five minutes per subject teacher, so it helps to prepare two or three specific questions for each one.