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Parenting • 6 min read

Parent-Teacher Meeting: 10 Questions That Actually Matter

Most parents leave PTMs with nothing useful. Ask these 10 questions instead — they tell you whether your child is genuinely thriving.

Published 17 April 2026 by Yajur Editorial Team

Most parent-teacher meetings end with the same useless exchange: 'How is he doing?' 'Doing well.' Two minutes, no information, you go home no wiser. Here are 10 questions that turn a PTM into the most valuable 15 minutes of your school term.

Questions about academics

  1. Which subject is my child most confident in, and which one needs the most support right now?
  2. Can you show me a recent piece of work that you think represents my child's typical level?
  3. What specific skill should we work on at home over the next month?
  4. How does my child approach a difficult question — do they try and fail, or freeze?

Questions about behaviour and wellbeing

  1. Who does my child usually sit with at lunch?
  2. How does my child behave in unstructured time — break, library, free reading?
  3. Have you noticed any change in mood or energy in the last few weeks?
  4. Is there anything my child is anxious about that we should know?

Questions about you and the school

  • How can we be more useful to you as parents?
  • What is the best way to reach you between PTMs if a concern comes up?

Things to avoid in a PTM

  • Comparing your child to others in the class.
  • Debating marks — focus on understanding instead.
  • Bringing up complaints in front of the child.
  • Promising consequences ('I'll deal with you at home') — it undermines the teacher's authority and yours.

If a concern comes up

If the teacher raises a concern, do not dismiss it and do not over-react. Ask: 'What does this look like specifically? What have you tried? What would you like us to try at home? When should we review this together?' That four-question loop turns a worry into an action plan.

Yajur PTM philosophy

Our PTMs are 20-minute one-on-ones with structured talking points. We share what we see, listen to what you see, and agree on next steps.

See our parent partnership approach

Frequently asked questions

How often should PTMs happen?

At reputed schools, once a term is standard. Yajur and most quality schools also offer mid-term parent meetings on request.

Should I bring my child to the PTM?

From Class 4 onwards, including the child for the last few minutes is valuable — they hear feedback directly and own their progress.

What if the teacher only has time for 5 minutes?

Ask for a follow-up call or a separate meeting. Five minutes is not enough for a real conversation.

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