Cover supervisors or similar! I need you to interview me, pretty please!

[MaureenMLove]

Got my first interview since 1984(shock) tomorrow! Its for a cover supervisor in a secondary school.

So, I've walked into the room, closed the door behind me, shook hands and introduced myself (sat down or waited to be asked?) What are you going to ask me?

Suppose 2 o'clock in the afternoon was a bit of a silly time to ask a school worker a question eh?

Anyone home yet?

Off the top of my head so no doubt there will be much better questions later:

How would you ensure that the learning objectives set by the teacher are met?
How will you make sure that every child makes progress in a lesson
How would you deal with a disrutive pupil?

Oh and of course why do you want this position and what can you bring to xxxx school?

I'm back now (am CS) but ds1 needs the computer.

I will pop back in later.

Oh thanks! Right then.

I would ensure that I had a clear understanding of the objective from the teacher for a start. Then I would ensure that I give clear and consise instructions to the class, then ask if anyone has any questions?

I would 'patrol' around the classroom, making sure that everyone is happy and if anyone needs assistance, do my best to help.

give him a slap Maybe sit he/she at the front, where I can see them? Maybe distruptive, because they don't understand? eeek! Maybe the school will give me some indication of protocol on this one?

I would like this job, as I feel I can relate very well to children of this age and have an interest in their development. God this all sounds so crap, doesn't it?

I have no idea what I can bring to this job, what would you suggest!

Thanks Rosin, appreciate that. I'm going Salsa dancing later, but I will be back too! Possibly not the best thing to do tonight, I haven't been for ages and I won't be able to walk without a limp tomorrow!

Do you know what the format of the interview is going to be?
At our school CS interview is:
a) Tour of school
b) Meeting with relevant Head of Department and Deputy
c) Practical supervision of a group (usually half an 'easy' class) for 30 mins [observed] (This is the most important bit)
d) Opportunity to meet and chat to other CS
e) Formal interview

I would say the most important qualities for the job are:
a) Presence/confidence/being in control. In an interview you can't really 'say' this, but it can come across by the way you answer questions. Be confident and definite, not wishy washy.
b) You need to be flexible and able to think on your feet without getting flustered. (A sense of humour helps too).
c) A passion for education and learning. (Don't be afraid to go over the top on this one: it always goes down well with SMT in schools, especially on a Friday at the end of a dark and dismal February when they're feeling jaded. It reminds them why they are here in the first place.)
d) You need to be realistic and also thick-skinned. Cover lessons can be very tough, even for the most experienced of teachers, and you have to learn to brush off the experience and forget about it, and not take it personally.

Hope it goes well tomorrow!
Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Thankyou! The only thing I know, is that they said, my interview is 11.15 and they will try to keep to that time, but as there are a large number of applicants, they may run late.

TBH, I'm just happy to get an interview and god knows I could do with the experience! I'm actually taking it more as a learning interview, so I'll be relaxed and enjoy it. I do have a good sense of humour, but also know how to draw the line when it comes to teenagers! Time will tell. I've got 3 more application forms to send off tonight and there's no pressure to get the first job that gives me the invite.

I shall report back tomorrow! Thanks!

Good luck for this morning

I Know that this is very, very obvious, make sure you engage with the students. move around the class, checking that they understand what is going on, that they know what to do and that they are getting on with the work. mentally prepare what you will do if someone finishes early (as the teacher before you go in if there is extension work set)

And do all the things rosin says!

Enjoy and good luck!

Thankyou for your good wishes. I'm back now. It went well. Lovely, relaxed, jokey interview with head of HR and Deputy Head. They asked me how I would deal with various situations and I believe I said the right things, the responses to what I said were positive anyway! They told me first off, that they had a new Head that started in January, but that the old Head was still there, on a different level. She actually said, 'and thats all I'll say' Then said that things were very positive atm and she hoped it stayed that way. I'm off to check out the latest Ofsted report to see if that sheds any light! I was a bit shocked to see how dirty the corridors were. Crisp packets and sweet wrappers everywhere. I know its only a little thing, but if the children aren't showing respect to their surroundings, how much respect to they give their lessons? Maybe the old head has been sidelined to make a whole lot of postive changes. I'm rambling!

Anyway, results on Monday, maybe this PM, if they finish early enough. Just a shame that MN put a spanner in the works by pulling my name out of the hat, to win a term time holiday! I think I stand a fairly good chance of getting it, but if it was between me and another, they'll take another who hasn't booked a holiday! We'll see!

Thanks for the update. Let us know as soon as you know! Fingers crossed.

(Did you not have to do any hands-on practical with the students? Will they be providing training?)

Yes, lots of training, about 6 weeks worth, they said. The plan is, to take on 6 people and have 6 weeks training togther. They said, during that time, if you feel its not for you, just walk away.

How many were at the interview? Taking on 6 is a lot! How big is the school?

Our school is c.1000 and we have 5 CS. There's a pretty high turnover rate amongst that though.

Well, they were interviewing all day and they said they were both going home at 3! So, I guess about 15 max. About 1300 in the school. They said they had a very big CS staff.

Well, I got the job. Now to decide if I want it! Start date is 21st April, so I can have a think for a couple of days, before I need to give notice to my mindee parents.

Woooooooo

Congratulations!

well done m

F*cking typical, one of my parents has just phoned to say she's got the chance to work an extra day a week and will I be able to accommodate mindee! I said, we'd talk about it properly when she collects tomorrow night. Bugger. Now I need to face up to letting parents down sooner than I though!

Wahey! CONGRATULATIONS!
Hope it goes really well for you

Please keep me updated as to how you get on. I don't know any CS in other schools, and am really interested to compare.

So I expect full reports of what training you receive, how much cover you expected to do, etc. etc!