Going for job interview tomorrow - NQT post. What on earth can I ask them?

[HauntedLittleLunatic]

I know that I should ask them some questions.
I may think of some on the way round, but in case I don't I need a set in reserve.
Can I ask about staff turnover (e.g. in my department compared to rest of school)?

What should I be looking for from an academy. I have been too busy to look at T&C for LEA schools let alone academies...

Ask about the kids.
Ask about the change in status, how have parents/the community taken it. (You should know if it was a failing school or an outstanding school, but you could ask about any sponsor.)
What effect they think the Academy status will have for the future of the school?

What subject?
Extra curricular activities?'

Yes I would ask them some qus about the department, structure of it, uptake of subject etc (eg in my subject, MFL, what percentage do KS4?).

Ask about extra currcular clubs and how you could be involved. Ask any question which will allow you to show anything you have not been asked at interview.

Whether you would have your own classroom. This is more important than you might think.

What support is available for NQTs?

One person I interviewed recently asked me what my 5 year plan for my department was. Which was an interesting question and not one I'd been asked before. However, it was clearly a question they had prepared to ask, and they didn't really listen to my answer, as was clear when I tried to involve them at one point. Make sure it's a question you really want to know the answer to rather than just a question to ask.

Subject is science

Thanks. Would it be any more likely that I would get a place if I move into area either mid-Yr7 or between Yr7&8?

Obviously my chance of getting a place at primary in a year is slightly better when DD3 is not in infants.

I'm a Head of Science. What's your specialism?

Oops that last post is on the wrong thread.

I am dual bio/phys. My degree is bio but am training as physics specialist after an enhancement course.

Well, you should be OK then. Are you confident with the Physics? I think that is what you need to focus on demonstrating. I have a trainee who is in the same position, but I wouldn't employ him as a Physics teacher and I am not convinced by him as an A level Physics specialist. Convince them of that, and you are in with an excellent chance I reckon.

6 months ago when I finished the enhancement I would have been confident of being a physics specialist. I haven't taught any A level yet though on teaching practice and feel a bit rusty. As a result I am thinking of playing it safe and selling my primary specialism as biology, closely followied by physics. This school are looking for someone that can teach "1, preferrably 2 subjects to A level"

I bet they would prefer the physics. I would! No A level on your practice is a bit rubbish for you. I thought it was a requirement? Even my dodgy trainee teaches year 12. Which is why I know he's not really up to it...

I know but at this stage I feel more confient selling myself as a biologist that can do physics than a phycist that can do biology.

No a level is due to admin error at uni. They are trying to get me a afternoon placement at another school so I can do some post 16 teaching 1 afternoon a week for 6 weeks in a diff school...but that hasn't been arranged yet.

You could ask about uptake at A level and where the leavers go, definitely find out if you would be mainly in one lab, options for double and triple award, relative numbers of boys and girls taking physics and if there is a problem of getting girls to do A level physics- maybe you could think about what you could do to help address the problem if there is one.

One thought- there isn't much time to get A level teaching in now as leave of absence starts early May. Also I am not sure that many schools would want their A level classes taught by someone new a few weeks before public exams. However if they are struggling to get specialists they might be very glad to get you.

Good luck- hope all goes well!

Some excellent questions ( which means I don't gave to think of any!!) i would just reitterate makes sure the questions are relevent and listen to the answers. A lot of these question may be answered Throughout the day, so a polite I had questions about x,y,z but throughout the day/ tour you've answered everything, is, IMO better than a question about something irrelevent that sounds too staged.

Are you in contact with the IOP? Because they run some great one day courses (usually free) to enhance your Physics teaching. For example its a great place to play with a Van der Graaf generator. They also have a great mailing list, where you can ask questions and great ideas from others.

You say (I think) that it is an Academy. You need to ask about the pay scales as Academies don;t have to follow the national ones, and about hours as they can be longer than the nationally agreed ones. Don't want to be a downer, but I wouldn't work in one.

Thanks guys, was really useful.

The day was a very worthwhile experience and I know what I need to do to make a better impression next time. I didn't get invited to the formal interview in the afternoon but I think I would have withdrawn if I had as I there were aspects that I wasn't keen on. I am definitely still looking for tips on what to look for in an academy though as I am thinking of applying for another place which is an academy.

My school is an academy, but a new one, and (currently!!) we have the same T&C as we did before we made the change. Definitely something to ask though. Also find out about curriculum. We are changing the way we do things in KS3 completely.

I am intriguied though FM....I wonder if it is in my area as my course has quite a lot of physics enhancement students on...