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Hereward House - family interview

11 replies

Leriunle80 · 04/10/2013 01:42

Hi All, my DS is registered at Hereward House in NW3 and I've just found out that we will be invited to a family interview in Jan / Feb 2014, when he will be 2.5 years.

I was hoping you could share your experience / knowledge of what the interview will entail and how to best prepare for it.

TIA

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Inclusionist · 04/10/2013 07:52

They will check that you are a SAHM still acting in your capacity as a Human Rights Lawyer (free to worthy cases) on days that DS is at Mandarin speaking nursery, DH is a Consultant Neurologist, DS is already signed up for Kindi-physics and Suzuki harp lessons. Oh, and you are wearing Boden. Wink Grin

Inclusionist · 04/10/2013 08:01

I'm only gently taking the p*ss btw. It looks like a great school and I'd be nervous too.

My sister has been to one of these family interviews and said it was just general conversation to guage how supportive they were going to be of the children's education, what sort of educational aims they had for the children, that sort of thing. She said they did ask what activities the children had already participated in as toddlers.

beanandspud · 04/10/2013 08:45

I know it sounds daunting but try to see it the other way - the interview is an opportunity for you to decide whether the school is right for your family. Do you agree with its vision and values? Does it feel right? How do you feel about the staff and the leadership team? Do you like what you see when you look round...

Leriunle80 · 04/10/2013 08:51

I am a bit nervous (understatement of the century) as DS will be there as well and he'll be 'assessed' (hate that word). The registrar was unable / unwilling to she'd any light over it when I called yesterday.

Inclusionist - funny! It feels worse than a job interview!

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nicename · 04/10/2013 09:05

Ask lots of questions - check out their website/ofsted report

Staff and pupil turnaround
Acceess to outside play/trips
Does it follow early years curriculum
What's the school ethos: happy kids, hothoused, expensive daycare for rich expats (don't put it like that!)
Class sizes
Exposure to music and language lessons
What clubs do they offer
Hours - is there wraparound care
Pta - how is it organised, what do they do (say how delighted you'd be to bake for the cake sales...)
Religion: yay, nay or 'don't want to offend ayone so we celebrate everything)
Will he be in nappies? What will he need to be able to do when he gets to school: go to the loo, eat his meal, ask for help...

They will want to see that you haven't two heads and that your child doesn't have any (obvious) additional needs (on the qt). A child who can follow simple instruction, who will sit and play, have basic language skills, and not constantly distract, whine etc (and how you deal with this if they do).

They will prefer a couple who seem to get on well and have the childs wellfare at heart (no big rows before you go in!).

Be confident, friendly... It all ok. There aren't that many schools who refuse you at interview stage (unless you do something awful!).

They will probably ask: what your child enpoys doing/fave toys and games, if he goes to any clubs or classes (not too many but enough to show socialisation), if you have any concerns about his development, are there any siblings, do both parents work/is there a nanny etc.

Have another school or two up your sleeve to compare. We were accepted to HH then were blown away by a 'wild card' school.

Leriunle80 · 04/10/2013 10:50

Thanks nicename, v v useful! Do you know what my DS will be expected to do? Puzzles, colouring, constructions, all of the above and more?

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sanam2010 · 04/10/2013 11:06

They start at 4+ and I'm sure their main worry is parents starting there and switching to Arnold House or The Hall at 5+. So I suspect they really want to know that you think Hereward House is the right place and that you know the school well, that it is not just one out of ten schools you're looking at!

nicename · 04/10/2013 11:08

Probably nothing in particular. I'd assume they would have some things out to keep him occupied and may just do a little chat with him 'so your name is X? How old are you? Are you excited about coming to school?'. At that age there isn't really much to test! They know that children do act up and do/say very odd things when put on the spot! They must hear 'he's never done that before!' A million times.

Have you other options too? See a few to get an idea of what is available.

nicename · 04/10/2013 11:25

Of course 'this is the only school for us!'

Leriunle80 · 08/10/2013 23:01

Thank you all. Fingers crossed!

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MollyBerry · 08/10/2013 23:07

I used to work there in ks1. It's a lovely caring school and a bit smaller than others around which means there is a strong pastoral side (not that other schools around don't) and i felt that from my experience of hh compared to other schools that inter year mixing happened slightly more.

In the interview I'm not entirely sure what they look for but they definitely would look to see if you fit - ie you're nice people. Good luck :) feel free to message me for any specific questions

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