How to keep useful notes for school and GP meetings

The short answer

Decide what question the record is meant to answer and keep it for a limited period. For each relevant event, note the date, situation, what you directly saw or were told, what your child could and could not do, what happened next and anything that helped. Include easier occasions so the record shows variation rather than only the hardest moments. Mark the source of each piece of information and use your child’s exact words only with care. Before a meeting, turn the log into a one-page summary of the pattern, examples, current support and questions. Store the full record privately and share only what is needed.

• Start with one question and a review date rather than recording indefinitely.
• Separate what you observed from what you think may explain it.
• Record easier occasions and useful support as well as difficulties.
• Say whether information came from you, your child, school or another person.
• Involve your child in what is recorded and shared wherever possible.
• Take a short summary to the meeting rather than expecting others to read the full log.
• Keep the record private and share only information relevant to the purpose.