Schools direct interview - quick question

[SarfEast1cated]

Do I need to wear a formal suit to the interview?

[Whensmyturn]

Must be smart I would say. A pair of smart trousers or skirt and cardigan would be Ok and anything smarter

[SarfEast1cated]

Thanks when much appreciated.

[purpleaura]

IMHO you can't go wrong with a suit. I once went smart but not suit to a teaching interview and everyone else was in suit :/

[SarfEast1cated]

I don't actually have one! Have worked for last 20 yrs in publishing - we're not very formal dressers!

[SarfEast1cated]

I may have to improvise.

[BoneyBackJefferson]

smart clothes and shoes that you are comfortable walking around in all day.

[SarfEast1cated]

Thanks all. boney I'm only going to be there for the morning, and during that time I need to sit 2x level 6 SATs tests I am actually more worried that the children I'm doing a reading activity with will just ignore me!

[SarfEast1cated]

Actually just looked at level 6 SATs and I think I'll be fine. Still worried they'll ignore me - any tips?

[wonderpants]

I didn't wear a suit, I wore a patterned tunic, leggings, smart boots and a bright coloured cardigan to my interviews and got offers from them all.
I don't think anyone had suits on!

[partystress]

You'll be a strange adult so I doubt they'll ignore you, but depending on age, have an attention grabbing/quietening tactic up your sleeve. Eg a puppet or soft toy that you talk to very quietly., or a weird artefact that has some link to the story.

[SarfEast1cated]

That's good to know Wonderpants I was going to wear a fine knit tunic over a white shirt with black leggings and boots. I think I'll err on the side of caution and wear skirt tights combo. Did you go the schools direct route? Any tips for the inter

[SarfEast1cated]

...view? I only found out about the interview on Wednesday, so not much time to prepare!

[SarfEast1cated]

Thanks party I will try to develop a commanding presence and will take a prop with me

[wonderpants]

I don't think they are trying to trip you up, they just want to get a feel of whether they can see you in one of their classrooms. Be warm, enthusiastic, confident. You aren't a teacher and they aren't expecting you to know all the answers. Talk about your experience, take a very child centred approach.
I enjoyed all my interviews. I went for a uni course (which I accepted) and 2 school direct places.

Dress wise, I think if it is smart enough for school, it is okay. I don't feel comfortable in smart clothes, so I knew I would really struggle if I wore a suit. Nearly everyone I've seen at interviews wore smart casual. I do think bright colours make you stand out a bit. Especially if you are applying for primary!

[superram]

Leggings have not been allowed at any school I have worked in.

[pieceofpurplesky]

I wouldn't wear leggings. Or white.
High school I know but one of the SD schools locally insists on business dress and the school I am in has a strict code - leggings a no no

[y0rkier0se]

I had a school direct interview the other week (and got it, yay!) I wore a pinafore from newlook with a white chiffron shirt, black tights & black brogues. Best tip is take sticky labels so if the kids aren't wearing name tags they can write their name on one quickly, makes it so much easier to direct questions when you have their names. Good luck!

[SarfEast1cated]

Thanks Yorkie your outfit sounds nice. I am possibly a little too old to rock the pinafore look, but I do have something suitable.
So they have offered you a place already? Did you go for salaried or unsalaried. Any tips from the interview? Stickers are inspired by the way - thanks. What else did you apply for?

[SarfEast1cated]

I had my interview today, 4 of us, not a suit to be seen. No leggings though. The other 3 were offered a place, but I didn't, not enough classroom experiences - they were all TA's.

[lulubug02]

sorry to hear you didn't get an offer today. do you have any other applications still going through? I have an interview next week - not a TA either so a bit worried got the impression at some of the info sessions I have been to that they really want to recruit TAs

[SarfEast1cated]

I guess it depends on where you are in the country. I was in the South East. They said that I would need too much training before I could be left in charge of a class, so suggested that a PGCE would be better choice for me. I got the impression that they wanted someone 'class ready' from day 1. The were really positive about my lesson plan, and my attitude and approach, but couldn't offer me the tlc I required.
None of the places they offered were salaried either, so the TA's who did get through will have to work for nothing.
I have now been onto UCAS and withdrawn my application for another Schools Direct, and am now just going for PGCEs.
It was a really pleasant experience though, and very valuable. I hope you get on OK lulu.

[lulubug02]

I'm in London so we shall see next week.School direct is the only route for me. Seems a bit unfair to say that you're not ready to be left in charge of the class. i though the whole point was to have a mentor and build up the amount of time you are teaching. Good luck with the PGCE applications. Would love to hear any view from teachers about school direct and any other applicants.

[SarfEast1cated]

I'm in London too - let me know how you get on? Good luck.

[y0rkier0se]

Sorry only just seen this! Yes I've been offered a place, was phoned the afternoon of the interview (left at 1pm, phoned at 3pm). I'm doing the non-salaried route. I only applied for SCITT & School Direct, I didn't want to do the PGCE route as I feel I need the time in the classroom so only went for school direct, if I hadn't have got it I was intending to have a tear TA-ing or working part time in retail and volunteering when I could to get more experience. I'm also not a TA - my experience was a half term volunteering in a school - 7 weeks of being there 8am-4.30 and my first SCITT interview didn't offer me a place as they felt I needed more experience, luckily my school direct one did. Their excuse seems a bit of a cop out though, the whole point is being to learn.. Do you have any other interviews lined up?

[y0rkier0se]

Having a year working as a TA. And 'Being there to learn' sorry.