Got two interviews at public schools next week and am unsure what to expect.

[twinsetandpearls]

They both seem to be such long drawn out affairs, lunch with the headmasters' wife, grand tours and three interviews at the one I am doing tomorrow. It is also the first time I have had to teach on an interview and although I am sure it will be fine I am so nervous.

One of them is for a standard teaching position, so a demotion for me in some ways but a promotion in the fact that it is 1 not a sink school and 2 I can teach A level. I know I will be competing with fresh out of university NQTs with fresher and more up to date subject knowledge and a lot cheaper. In the state sector expensive teachers like myself hardly ever get a job against a good NQT - will it be the same this time?

Are they going to quizz my subject knowlegde in interview? I have three interviews tomorrow one of which is with the head of department - he has described it as a fireside chat! I am not as sure.

Also am teaching A level and am planning an all dancing and all singing lesson with lots of active learning, films clips etc. Dp is worried that there may be ICT problems - when I spoke to the head of Department on the phone they seemed quite clueless about how to use their very poor ICT facilities. But I think one of the reasons they want me is because I have such great ICT skills and in my reference it referred to my pacy interesting lessons so I have to deliver just that tomorrow.

I am so nervous I feel sick.

I have never felt nervous before an interview and have never gone to interview and not got the job, am very scared that this may be that first time and yet I have never wanted a job as much.

oh dear! East nicely and remember your manners. Don;t forget to push your character and your outside interests, not just your teaching skills. Private are very into that character bit, I've heard.

It's awful when you really want a job badly, nothing like an interview when you;re not hugely bothered.

Try to think of it as an interview you're not too bothered about.

No real advice for you but Good Luck.

Yes I am not sporty which is worrying me but am not a couch potato either more into walking, camping and being active outdoors than formal sports.

Bu that has come across in my CV so they know that.

One of them is a religious school so will need to focus on that as well.

rule number one - never assume they will know all about it from your cv. You must bang on about your excellent camping skills, teambuilding, outdoor education an all that.

I would possibly reduce the amount of ICT in the lesson, or have a plan B for when the projector doesn't work, the speakers don't work or the laptop crashes.

lol my excellent camping skills - that means getting pissed on cheap mulled wine while dp checks the tent isn't leaking

I know you are right, I need to bang on as I am sure the others will.

Lunch with the Head Masters wife... hmmm... that bit would bother me because it sounds like she's part of the interview panel in an indirect way. Bloody ridiculous but there you go! Guess you'll just have to eat nicely and not say anything too outspoken!
Sounds as though they're definitely after your ICT skills, and remember as an experienced teacher (with a track record of good,pacy lessons) you'll have the edge over NQTs.
I agree they may ask a lot about extras that you can offer - can you run a hockey team etc In many public schools most members of staff have to run a team. (Bluff like mad if you want the job!)
Remember many public schools are several years behind state schools in terms of knowledge of curriculum, educational research and how they use their facilities, so the ICT thing will be really important. IME private schools are often very keen to recruit from the state sector - they know you can do the job.
Good luck!

I think his wife may teach in lower school, but am not sure, have met her before and she seemed lovely if not a tad nervous. Is that much different than sitting our interview candidates in the staffroom while they wait and then a member of SLT asking our opinion on them.

They are expanding their voluntary work experience for the students which is part of the extra curricular and as I have experience in this sector I am hoping that may make up for my lack of sporting prowess.

But i could run a team, and in previous schools have helped run sports teams and at my present school am a lone regular cheering them on on the sportsfield.

Many independent schools value the letters after your name that they can print in the brochure as much or more than cheapness ime. Although in a commercial venture, they obviously can't afford to employ anyone too expensive. But they will like you if they think you can teach to their standards, and will love the fact that you have all those excellent classroom control skills and ability to differentiate and keep many plates in the air at once. They will also love your PGCE, which really does train teachers well now.

The reason they're interviewing for so long is that they like to get a fuller idea of the whole person and what else they can contribute to school life. It shouldn't be stressful! They will be kind to you. If they're not, don't go to work there, as it would not bode well for the school as a working environment. Good luck!

I will be loosing my management allowance that I have presently in my present post which makes me more affordable.

Will you get money off fees for small daughter? At our children's school, teachers pay about 30% of full fees I think (ie one term a year)

Yes they will want the extras ...doesn't have ot be sporty but some extra-curricula stuff.

Good luck...rememeber they wouldn't interview you if they didn't want to employ you.

Good luck. My daughter used to mention occasional lessons when she was in the sixth form where a potential new teacher came to the school (in the private sector) to do that kind of sample lesson. I can't remember if the girls gave feedback or not.

I m sure they would like to know if people can go on school ski trips or other trips abroad, are keen enough to help out at after school things, could help with any after school clubs in particular hobbies. In my children's schools the ICT is much better than the state sector but it doesn't sound like it is in this one.

Yes I will get a reduction in fees which is why I am willing to take a pay cut.

I have offered to help with boarding which is a big plus for them.

Everything crossed for you, TS&P.

Extra-curricular is very important in the private sector, so you really do have to know how you can contribute. As an RS teacher, you may have to coordinate assemblies and liturgy.

Just remember that you are on interview at each stage, even the informal chats.

You will have to field questions about why you are taking a step down, so make sure you have good answers (eg, I want to teach). Make sure you have positive answers about why you want to be in this school, rather than reasons for escaping where you are. Passion for your subject will go down well.

Have two or three plans for your lesson, in case the IT goes south - I'm sure you would anyway as you can never rely on technology however sound. Your interviewers will be judging your manner with the children rather than the content of the lesson, but they will appreciate good practice when they see it. Although you don't have to adhere doggedly to 3-part lesson plans in the independent sector, it would go down well in an interview.

I teach in an independent school and feel that I have died and gone to heaven.

Thanks Science Teacher,

have my answer prepared about why I want to teach there and it goes along the lines of

1. Chance to teach A Level and that particular a level
2. Chance to teach in a school the will reflect my religious convictions and in fact strngthen them.
3. Chance to work in a school which offers the vast extra curricular oppurtunities.
4. I know the school having visted their when I registered my dd for a place and i was very impressed with it and have been patiently waiting for a vacancy to come up.
5. I adore my subject and want more oppurtunites to teach it in a school where I know it's place is secure and respected. I also feel my teaching styles and strengths are suited to their school.
6. On a personal level to teach where my daughter can also go to school is an oppurtunity I feel can't be turned down, and is a sign of how much I believe in the school and it also means I am offering them long term commitment - dd would have another 12 years in the school.

I have a fall back plan in my head but had not written it down or formalised it, but will do that.

On point 6, yes, it shows you believe in the school, but I wouldnt personally labour the 12 years point. How do you know that you want to be there for 12 years? Other opportunities may come up, and sometimes it can be good for a school to have a healthy turnover of staff. My ds was taught by some teachers who'd hung around in the school for way too long because of reduced fees for their own kids, and they weren't necessarily the best teachers! (You sound great, so don't take that personally!) The school want to know whether you're the right person for the job, and tbh that's more important than whether it's the right school for your dd

The twelve years bit is for me, I want to settle someowhere

Hope it goes well for you TS&P. Thinking of you!

Thanks I was going to use point six to say this is how much I believe in the schoo rather than the fact that if you hire me you will be dumped with me! Wasn't going to say 12 years but more along the lines of I really want this.

Good luck, TSAP - will be thinking of you.

Your enthusiasm will shine through, I'm sure.

Thanks.