Interview tomorrow... or is it?

[MrsWembley]

So, it's been set up by an agency and described as 'a chat, a chance to get to know each other [that would be me and the head] and a chance to have a look around.'

So I'm having difficulty getting into interview mode. I keep telling myself I have to prepare but, short of reading up online about the general set-up (not a standard school), I honestly don't know what to do!

Tell me to buck my ideas up, please!!!

[MrsWembley]

Thanks for that!

But how do I prepare? I can do all the referring back to my very limited experience during a conversation - I only taught for two years before having the DCs - but without all the usual rigmarole, I'm not actually sure what's going to happen!

[MrsWembley]

Current issues, well, I've done some recent reading but to be honest I'm embarrassingly out of date as I keep thinking that by the time I go back it'll all have changed again!

Difficult parents and inclusion are kind of what this job will be about, so I've been doing some reading around that for the last few months (although very slowly, god I'd forgotten how dry academic stuff is!).

Good lessons I've taught - now, that's going to take some trawling through the old memory banks!!

But thanks for the suggestions. It's helped.

[PicInAttic]

Make sure you can talk about safeguarding - theoretical (child protection, keeping children safe in education, Prevent, child sexual exploitation etc) but also with some reference to the likely issues that are relevant to the school.
In many schools in my area, being called in for a 'chat' is usually a sign that the school need someone effective quickly so,if the head gets the right feel from/about you, you'd have a good chance. Be passionate, enthusiastic, try to show why you are the right person at the right time.
Good luck.

[MrsWembley]

Thank-you! As this is a position dealing with looked-after children, that is extremely relevant.

[MrsWembley]

Well, it looks like I have a job!

[slicedfinger]

congratulations!

[MrsWembley]

[SenecaFalls]

Wow, I love it when a thread has a happy ending. Congratulations! I take it the "chat" went very well. and

[MrsWembley]

Yes, apparently it really was just a chat! She told me about the place, explained how things worked, asked me about my experience as a volunteer with a former charity no names no pack drill and showed me around!

Then asked me to think about it and let the agency know! Which I did after I'd been in the car about five minutes!!

[PicInAttic]

Well done!