I’ve got my first parents’ evening and I’m terrified. We learned nothing about it at college and I don’t like to ask people at school for help because everyone’s so busy. Any tips?

Don’t panic. Everyone feels the same way and everyone survives. You should get some help from your induction tutor though. Someone needs to talk you through school procedures and how to deal with any parents who are known to be difficult. Ideally sit in on another teacher’s interview with a parent to see how they structure it.

You’ll feel more confident if you prepare. What is the aim of the consultation? Is it for you to meet parents or to set targets and discuss progress? Make notes on each child, identifying strengths and areas for development socially and academically. If you can predict what issues parents might raise, think of some answers. Plan the timetable of meetings carefully, giving yourself breaks where possible. Organise your teaching for the day and the day after to be fairly easy going. You won’t have the time or energy to do marking or planning after a parents’ evening.

Make sure that parents know how long they’ve got with you - they always want longer. Keep a clock or watch on the table so that you and they can keep to time, although this is very hard to do. Trouble will brew if people are kept waiting too long. If you know that certain parents might be difficult arrange for another member of staff to be around. Have a list of your appointments and tick parents off when you have seen them. This should stop you getting confused and talking about the wrong child - it has happened! Make sure your personal presentation does you credit: you are being judged as much as the pupils. Ensure that marking is up to date and everything looks organised. Keep anything to hand that you might possibly need, such as examples of work, records and curriculum documents. Lastly, have a supply of drinks and nibbles to keep you going.

You’ll feel a great sense of achievement when it’s over so celebrate!

E-mail questions to susan.young@newsint.co.uk. Sara Bubb cannot enter into personal correspondence. More questions answered at www.tes.co.uk. Sara Bubb’s ‘A Newly-Qualified Teachers’ Manual: how to meet the induction standards’ is published by David Fulton, pound;15.