11+ independent school interview question, pls help

ucspur · 2023-10-21T14:10:48+00:00

Hello Please need your help answering this question. My daughter is prepping for some independent schools and as much as the answer should be obvious, im still not sure we have got the structure of how to answer the question *^"Why do you want to come to this school" ^*^right^*^. ^*I obviously do not want to coach her on what to say but guide her on how to answer. She said she loved the facilities like the science lab because she is leaning towards being a scientist but what else? Sure there is more she can say.. is she allowed to talk about how good the school performed last year (wont that be too obvious she was coached, though she saw this herself online)? i know I'm rambling on but pls help .. Thanks a lot

belladonna22 · 21/10/2023 15:13

I feel like the honest answer to that question, delivered articulately, will be a far greater credit to your daughter in an interview than a well rehearsed "right" answer.

Marisquita · 21/10/2023 16:12

At 11+ anything you “guide” her to will sound coached. Just let her be authentic. One of my DC did an online interview at that age and said something like “all the teachers were really nice when I came for the exam and we had cake in the break”. I think they knew he hadn’t been tutored for that!

Original poster

ucspur · 21/10/2023 16:15

belladonna22 · 21/10/2023 15:13

I feel like the honest answer to that question, delivered articulately, will be a far greater credit to your daughter in an interview than a well rehearsed "right" answer.

Yes thanks . I'm not planning to rehearse perse or force her to say things but surely she has to practice down with some confidence before she goes for the interview because at the moment , she's kind of stuttering

If the science lab and facilities answers are good for enough, im happy for her to say that. I just want to guide her in saying the right things . For example she's very good in Drama and has had lead roles so want to encourage her to add that as the school has a very big Theatre hall that we saw on the open day

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tennissquare · 21/10/2023 16:15

Something like "I really like the swimming pool/hockey pitches is fine", the teacher isn't expecting much more than that. It's always good to have a question ready to ask like " what trips do you go on in the first year" or " what languages can I learn in the first year"?

Marisquita · 21/10/2023 16:23

OK so she enjoyed the open day and especially liked the science labs and the lovely theatre. Those are good points. Did she say anything about the feel of the place, the people she met (staff and students)? In my experience of taking DC around schools they tend to have a strong feeling about whether they like the vibe or not, perhaps more so than thinking about facilities and (certainly) exam results.

DibbleDooDah · 21/10/2023 16:27

Those children with the answered prepared are very obvious and it can go against them.

My DC1 when asked why she wanted to go to that school replied that the food was amazing and it was the only one she had visited with a chocolate fountain 😂😂😂. To be fair she then expanded on this by saying how she felt most at home there, and when coaxed by the interviewer started talking about subjects she was looking forward to etc.

Her friend didn’t get a place. Friend “casually” dropped into her interview that she was reading War & Peace. As if a 10 year old would do that through choice……

Original poster

ucspur · 21/10/2023 16:40

tennissquare · 21/10/2023 16:15

Something like "I really like the swimming pool/hockey pitches is fine", the teacher isn't expecting much more than that. It's always good to have a question ready to ask like " what trips do you go on in the first year" or " what languages can I learn in the first year"?

Thank you. That's helpful 😊

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5thCommandment · 21/10/2023 16:41

I would say, because the school specialises in / is well known for Xxxx which is a key focus and interest for me. It's an area I hope to excel at and contribute to the schools and community in future.

Feels like the tone is really about how will you contribute to the school - that's what they want - tables/rating related.

Original poster

ucspur · 21/10/2023 16:42

Marisquita · 21/10/2023 16:23

OK so she enjoyed the open day and especially liked the science labs and the lovely theatre. Those are good points. Did she say anything about the feel of the place, the people she met (staff and students)? In my experience of taking DC around schools they tend to have a strong feeling about whether they like the vibe or not, perhaps more so than thinking about facilities and (certainly) exam results.

Thank you very much . yes she actually said all these. She loves the vibe and felt welcome there . This is what I was looking for to see if this would be helpful to include

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Original poster

ucspur · 21/10/2023 16:45

DibbleDooDah · 21/10/2023 16:27

Those children with the answered prepared are very obvious and it can go against them.

My DC1 when asked why she wanted to go to that school replied that the food was amazing and it was the only one she had visited with a chocolate fountain 😂😂😂. To be fair she then expanded on this by saying how she felt most at home there, and when coaxed by the interviewer started talking about subjects she was looking forward to etc.

Her friend didn’t get a place. Friend “casually” dropped into her interview that she was reading War & Peace. As if a 10 year old would do that through choice……

😂😂Thank you

The intention is for her to freestyle obviously not planning for her to go say she reads a million books

She loved the science lab and theatre hall as well as swimming pool, she's going to say all that

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Askil · 21/10/2023 16:50

Has your daughter looked at the extra curricular activities the school offers clubs, societies etc? is there one that stands out for her to join and why?
Is the school outstanding in anything in particular e.g won any big competitions recently?
Get her also to think about what she is bringing to the school (a very common question at these interviews) get her to think about her own strengths and how it will benefit the school.

Original poster

ucspur · 21/10/2023 16:57

Askil · 21/10/2023 16:50

Has your daughter looked at the extra curricular activities the school offers clubs, societies etc? is there one that stands out for her to join and why?
Is the school outstanding in anything in particular e.g won any big competitions recently?
Get her also to think about what she is bringing to the school (a very common question at these interviews) get her to think about her own strengths and how it will benefit the school.

Thank you, that is helpful

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