ALNCO job interview on Monday.. so want the job x

[ep1977]

It is to start fulltime in January. I currently do part time supply. My dd started nursery last month. It is .5 ALNCO/SENCO and .5 junior ppa cover. I really want this job. My background is all special needs. I worked for 11 years in a special school before returning to supply when my dd was 18mnths. Any words of wisdom/encouragement from my mn friends would be great x

Thanks in advance xx

I have an interview on Monday too (not for the same job ) but haven't got a clue if I stand a real chance. I haven't had an interview in 10 years, so am feeling a bit nervous. No words of wisdom from me, just go in feeling confident! GL for the interview!

Know the answers to the safeguarding question - that one's practically guaranteed.

Good luck x

Have you looked at all the stuff in the jobseekers forum on TES? Loads of sample questions and good advice there.

I'm interviewing for a SENCo next week and have taken the questions from Use The Key website. Might be worth a look!

Are you up to speed with the iminent changes to CoP/ statements etc?

Good luck sparrow..

Yes icecream, I've been busy creating mind maps to possible questions rather than rote learning answers to specific questions.

Inclusionist.. ok now i'm scared .. what is CoP?

Ok so researched and C oP is code of practice.. why do abbreviations always panic me into thinking I do not know stuff or this is something new that has just come out..!

Look up recent changes to the CoP, changes to the terminology of SEN. There will be a safeguarding question. Basically they want to see that you can be an advocate for children with SEN, you can train teachers in aspects of SEN or arrange training, you are organised with paperwork and up to date with changes to teaching and SEN. How will you monitor progress of children across the school? They will also want you to be confident in your teaching abilities across year groups if you are doing a PPA role.

There will be the inevitable questions of 'Why do you want this job?/why are you the best candidate for this role?'

Good luck.

Thanks itsa x Been busy working out what they may ask and possible answers x

Smile and make them think they and the children will like to work with you. That is more important than getting a question wrong slightly. Someone at my work interviewed two people last week. One with tons of experience but who questioned some aspects of the job and generally seemed to have a bit of attitude. The other who had no experience but seemed keen, willing, intelligent and like he would get on with and so be able to influence others. Guess who got the job! Good luck.

Good luck, ep sounds like you have lots of experience.

I was appointed in June-was asked about new CoP, changes to funding and likely affects to my school, discussion about how to manage TAs/ plan interventions.

Oh and talked about the legal requirement to train as a SENCo-it is quite a big commitment.

Thanks Vijac... that's how I feel. I know I would work hard and put my all into it. I feel like others maybe more in the link as I have done pt supply last few years whilst raising my dd. However, thinking back.. I never knew all these current legislations and stuff when I was actually doing the job. !!

Good luck future Sencos.

Do you have link to the changes in the code of practice for a PoP (pissed off parent)

Here is a link to a summary of the CoP. The whole document is about 150 pages long! Nasen are good, so should be a reasonable summary.

A good rule is to always use examples when answering a question you sound much more plausible and believable.
I actually used this technique as a governor when questioned by by ofsted this week and you feel much more confident when you use examples of behaviour

Thanks all for taking the time to postr. I didn't get the job. The head said I came across as very warm And that I answered the questions well. The person who got the job had more experience of actually doing SENCO job.. which she/he is currently doing. Really wish that they had given me a chance. It is so frustrating that people who have already got jobs get a different one!! I am doing supply but it is so sporadic and unreliable. Oh well it was good experience and I felt it went really well. I was relaxed, listened to the questions properly and felt it was a good interview.

Here's to the next one... x

Just keep looking the right thing for you will come along.
My DH lost his job in July and I thought it was the end of the world he starts a new one in a slightly different field in Nov and we will have less commuting time more money and a better family life so just hold out anf the right thing will come along.

Thanks extreme x I feel really good as have applied for 3 jobs this last few months and had interview for 2 of them. I must be putting the right things on my application form. Just need to get more experience... am doing supply. I had 2 full days last week, half a day the week before and nothing as yet this week but yesterday was my interview.

Did they ask you a safeguarding question? What might they ask about safeguarding? Haven't taught for seven years now and am thinking about applying for a reception teachers job. What might they ask me? Thanks

Asked me why I went into special needs teaching
how I would reach out to a parent with a child with aln who was reluctant to come to school
how I manage a wrk/life balance
how I would manage behaviour within my small group teaching
how I would assess pupils for progress
explain my experience of writing iep s and how I would use these
will have athink about what else they asked me.... mrsnw