Throw your best interview questions at me please (secondary science NQT post)

[EdwiniasRevenge]

I shall be AWOL for a bit whilst I tweak my lesson plan.....between throwing the stupid laptop out of the window ....

What challenges will affect science in the next 2 years?

There will be a safeguarding question - the answer is ALWAYS "I would follow school procedures and report it to the child protection officer"!

I haven't been an interviewee but as a parent governor have sat on many interview panels

People seem to have got many of the answers down to a fine art, however in the interviews we conducted last week, the questions people stumbled over were

What does our school ethos mean to you?
You are having an Ofsted inspection tomorrow, what are your priorities?
How do you make sure that children are safe within school?
How can you get the community involved in our school? (Our head is big on this).

Questions I have found people stumbled on when i interviewed them:-

Use of data :- people get themselves in a kerfuffle over the word data and panic. How does data inform planning? How do you use data?

What was your worst and best lesson and why?

How do you motivate boys (c/d borderline, unmotivated boys).

I also agree with the question about school ethos. Why our school?
Obviously make sure you prep answers on subject developments, differentiation, teaching methods etc.

Are you doing a data presentation?

Challenges in science
I would answer wrt changing curriculum and the fact that primary changes lagging behind secondary changes meaning some pupils will have gaps on arrival in secondary.

School ethos
can do that

ofsted inspection....hmmm stumble.
childrens welfare and learning will remain number one priority. What else.....pointers would be helpful.

safety
physical safety - risk assessments and vigilance
emotional safety - positive relationships so that children are comfortable to approach you when they feel their safety is threatened.

community.
Hmmmm....

I don't ask Science specific questions, but your examples would be Science, if that makes sense!

Definitely data - what sort of data would you use in planning? What would you do if assessment data showed underperformance? Most challenging experience and what you have learned from it. Best experience.

I'm looking for enthusiasm, lots of examples from their teaching (people sometimes ask if they can use examples from other jobs/experiences and I find it odd that they are straying away from teaching in a teaching interview. I would be mildly more tolerant for an NQT, but it would have to be a storming example!!). I don't ask direct questions about changes to curriculum etc, but would like it to be brought up if relevant.

Where do you see yourself in 3 years, 5 years, etc.

How would your students describe you?

Ooh yes the where do you see yourself in 5 years question. I do not want an answer where you have singlehandedly transformed the world of teaching and are head of an outstanding school. Focus on giving an answer which demonstrates ambition but a desire to do your job well and be the best teacher you can be.

Following safeguarding procedures.

What do the school do in the wider community? Do they have link primary schools? DofE etc? School projects? Work Experience or links with businesses?

Re the Ofsted, head was not inpressed with candidate who said that she would mark her work up to date overnight. Speak to senior management with regards to what they want you to do, go over your lesson plan etc.