Interview lesson

[Flowersinyourhair]

Please tell me I'm not a ridiculously crap teacher. Had an interview today. Didn't get the job which is ok. However, the lesson part went really badly because pupil behaviour was dire.
At my current school (and in fact everywhere I've worked) I've had a reputation for being brilliant on behaviour. I've made huge improvements within my subject which was doing really badly in terms of pupil engagement before I took over.
The class today were awful. Lack of motivation, low level disruption etc. The head felt that my plan was outstanding but that behaviour in the lesson was poor (it was).
I feel that, in all honesty, that says more about the pupils in the class than me. The disruption began literally from the second I said hello and was constant throughout. I had no authority with which to fix it, as a visiting teacher- no sanctions to use at all. I tried every strategy I could and believe me, in my own school that lesson would have ended with sanctions and consequences and we wouldn't have had an issue within a couple of lessons.
If I was the head I'd have gone mad at the kids and made sure I'd chosen a class that allowed me to see a teacher teach and not just manage disruption.

[cricketballs]

I had an interview lesson once where the DH was observing and the behaviour was appalling - it made me retract my application straight after the lesson as in my eyes, if they behave like that when DH is in the room then god help anyone else

look at it as a lucky escape!

[Darkblueskies]

Definitely look at it as a lucky escape. As you said, you had no status so there was no reason for them to behave.

[Flowersinyourhair]

Thanks for those comments. You've instantly cheered me up!

[AmeliaLion]

I agree with the lucky escape thing! If the kids aren't on best behaviour for visitors (and the head in the room presumably), can you imagine trying to get through an ofsted inspection?!

[Flowersinyourhair]

Absolutely! I'd just love to know what they imagine I, as a visitor, could have done to manage it beyond what I did do.
So frustrating as behaviour management is something I absolutely am all over at work.

[YoniFucker]

Definitely a lucky escape. Whoever gave you that feedback should be ashamed. If the presence of SLT in the room doesn't result in good behaviour then something is seriously wrong!

[Flowersinyourhair]

It was the head who gave the feedback. The argument was that it was a senior post so behaviour management should be a given. I agree it should, and would be if I worked there, but I was a total stranger. They didn't even introduce me to the kids- just chucked me in to a lesson that was a double period and this was the second half.
I didn't get to do the interview as they said I was unsuccessful part way through the day. Just feel crap about it all really.