Secondary Report Opening and Closing Comments, KS3-KS4
The form tutor's opening sentence gives parents and carers an overall picture of attitude to learning across subjects, and the closing sentence draws the tutor comment together with encouragement, a look ahead or an invitation to get in touch.
Here are 14 samples from the 196 openers and closers in the full pack: one of each for every overall level, then one pair written for each report period.
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
For any report period
Overall picture: Outstanding O
Opener
- [Name] arrives at tutor time punctually, fully prepared and ready to make the most of the day.
Closer
- Thank you for working so closely with the school to support [Name].
Overall picture: Good G
Opener
- In most lessons, [Name] works hard and often takes care over the quality and presentation of [his/her/their] work.
Closer
- Keep going, [Name]; with steady effort, the next step is well within reach.
Overall picture: Requires improvement R
Opener
- [Name] does the basics in most lessons but could push further with homework and independent study.
Closer
- The head of year and I are happy to meet if that would be helpful.
Overall picture: Unsatisfactory U
Opener
- When [Name] feels confident with a task, [he/she/they] can work well, and we are helping [him/her/them] feel that way more often.
Closer
- Please encourage [Name] to talk to me whenever something is getting in the way of learning.
For a specific report period
Autumn progress report
Opener
- It has been a delight to see [Name] start the autumn term so purposefully, arriving on time and ready to learn each day.
Closer
- Please contact me if you have any questions about how [Name] has settled in.
Spring report
Opener
- This spring, [Name] has regularly made a useful contribution in lessons and in tutor time.
Closer
- I look forward to seeing [Name] put these targets into practice over the rest of the year.
End-of-year report (summer)
Opener
- This year, [Name] has shown at times what [he/she/they] can achieve, and the aim now is to do this more often.
Closer
- Please use the summer to talk with [Name] about one or two goals for next year, and we will help [him/her/them] reach them.
Tips for openers and closers
- In the autumn progress report, open with how the student has started the year, especially settling in for Year 7, and close with a focus for the rest of the term or an invitation to contact the form tutor.
- For the spring report, open by summarising what subject teachers report so far, and close with a priority for the summer term. For Year 11, mock exams and revision are the natural focus.
- In the end-of-year report, look back from September to July and close with good wishes for the summer and the next year group. Bear in mind Year 11 may already have left, and keep lower-rated closers warm.
Comments by skill
- Engagement and Effort, KS3 (Years 7-9)
- Engagement and Effort, KS4 (Years 10-11)
- Independent Study, KS3 (Years 7-9)
- Independent Study, KS4 (Years 10-11)
- Organisation and Preparation, KS3 (Years 7-9)
- Organisation and Preparation, KS4 (Years 10-11)
- Resilience and Response to Feedback, KS3 (Years 7-9)
- Resilience and Response to Feedback, KS4 (Years 10-11)
- Collaboration and Communication, KS3 (Years 7-9)
- Collaboration and Communication, KS4 (Years 10-11)
- Conduct and Responsibility, KS3 (Years 7-9)
- Conduct and Responsibility, KS4 (Years 10-11)
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.