Now that we have some better spaces at WGC, is it time to bring you back to school to do these in person?

The Context

Under Covid, like everyone else, we went online. Unlike other schools that began to invite parents back for in-person interviews again, this wasn’t an option for us given our building situation. Many people love the convenience and flexibility of online interviews, but what have we lost in the process? 

The Change

Thank you to the 330 people who filled out our survey about this, your thoughts were fascinating and just what we suspected. Overall, you want the option of both. For some, online interviews are more accessible, you can fit them around work and it saves you time. Others are missing that connection with WGC and the staff and you feel that you get the most out of interviews when they are in person. 

WGC is going to offer both options. Details are still to be finalised but junior interviews begin the week of the 5th of May and seniors the week of the 9th of June. 

You will choose the style you prefer and book on the appropriate day. 

Booking instructions, lists of teachers and a map of the school for the in-person option will be provided to parents of juniors at the end of the term.  Look out for the email. Senior booking instructions will be emailed in Term Two. 

Understandably, most of you were not keen on any WFH days and neither were the teachers. Instead, we will shorten each period and break by 5 minutes so that we can start at 3 pm. 

This means students will finish early on those days so that teachers can have a break before interviews begin. 

You also raised some good issues about interviews that made us think we need to make some adjustments as well as clear up some misconceptions. 

Do we have to book interviews?

No. There are many ways we communicate with you about your child’s progress throughout the year. This is mainly through the Kamar parent portal so please check it regularly. We also write emails, make phone calls and sometimes request meetings when we feel we have something to address. You may feel like you don’t need a meeting and that’s ok. If you are away and can’t make it, that’s ok. 

Why are interviews only 5 minutes?

A full-time teacher might teach up to 150- 200 students. It isn’t possible to provide interview slots for everyone without having multiple days WFH for students.

5 minutes can be frustrating if the teacher just talks generally about the course. We can work on that. 

What if I can’t book a time with all the teachers I want to talk to?

That does happen. Some of our staff are part-time or they might be unwell or on leave on the day.  Some teach a huge number of junior or senior students depending on their timetable and it would be impossible to fit everyone in. If you miss out and have a particular question or concern you can email the teacher. 

What if we have more serious concerns to discuss?

Often more serious concerns are already discussed at other times. Teachers or Deans might have already communicated with you or you have requested an appointment and lengthier meetings have been held at school. This happens frequently throughout the year for many. Sometimes during interviews, it becomes apparent that the issues are more than a 5 minute discussion and this can be followed up later if it requires more time. Not everything can or should be resolved then and there. 

Why can’t the interviews go later in the evening?

Some teachers will have taught lessons all day and will still have marking and preparation to do for the next day.  Interview days are exhausting and most teachers will have 25-30 interviews. 

Can the teachers be more prepared for the interviews?

In order to allow parents the maximum time to book or make changes we haven’t closed off the booking system until the morning of the interviews, or the night before at the earliest. We may have to change this. This meant that teachers only had a few hours to create bespoke notes. Most will only have one non-teaching period during the day to do this, and some will have none. While we all have extensive notes on each student, mentally jumping in and out of our different courses can create moments of confusion and doubt. Our biggest fear is forgetting someone’s name or their specific learning need or accommodation and appearing not to know the student.  We work really hard to know each student well but it’s possible that in the mental juggle of the interviews, we make a mistake.

Is my child expected to be there?

We encourage them to be there - the meetings are about them after all. Some parents feel that they get more out of the meetings without their child there and some prefer them there. This is the same way teachers feel! We’d like to keep this flexible and leave this up to your preference. Many students have after-school jobs or sports training and it isn’t possible. 

How to make the most out of your 5 mins

Please, please look at Kamar. If you have read teacher comments, seen results, looked at absences and latenesses and know in general what your child is currently working on, this saves a lot of time having to bring everyone up to date and repeat information that is already written down. Teachers can get straight to the point and the focus can be on next steps. 

What you actually said…