Interview tomorrow - experienced but out of the loop!

[MyNameIsNotSteven]

I've been out of regular teaching for a couple of years due to family illness. I haven't found anything that suits me better so I'm keen to get back into the classroom (will I be saying that in another two years' time?!)

My subject is secondary English. I don't do gimicky teaching and I'm a bit concerned that my lesson will be too ordinary but it will do the job of teaching specific exam skills.

What is going on in schools at the moment? What are they going to expect me to able to talk about? I've done some supply but in departments where I've been left to it with no support.

Any confidence boosting greatly appreciated.

Data and intervention. Results. Growth mind set. Results. Linear exams. Results. DIRT. Results.

Gimmicky teaching is falling out of favour a bit I think. If you look like you know what you’re talking about and can actually teach then you should be fine. If its the sort of school that demands kids bouncing around the place doing dress-up, you probably wouldn’t want to work there anyway?

Are you familiar with the new GCSE? There might be questions about how to get kids to engage with the more challenging content, lack of tiering etc.

Yes I'm a senior examiner so quite confident in that respect. You're quite right, I wouldn't want to teach on a gimicky school.

So far the rest sounds within my comfort zone apart from growth mindset which I've heard of but never has anything to do with.

Growth mindset is still alive and kicking, resilience and independence are two of the important buzzwords and, to state the bleeding obvious, very important for the new spec GCSE!

I think “old school” non gimmicky teaching works really well for the new spec. Just don’t call it old school - it’s knowledge based teaching now

Actually, have a look at the “fads” thread - that should give you some ideas for dressing your “old” ideas in fancy new emperor’s clothing.

Much as I loathe Michael Gove I'm a big fan of teaching whole texts.

If I were interviewing you I would want to know you had ideas about how to support the less able through the new GCSEs. Expect a question on Pupil Premium perhaps and they do like to ask about gender. Reluctant readers. Improving poor literacy.. How do you encourage a love of reading etc etc.

Ways of providing uselessful feedback. How do you know students have made progress in your lesson? Independent learning is Big.

Thank you, this is really helping.

Hello, The MTPT Project specialise in helping with this (this is not a sales pitch - we are a super friendly network). We're hosting a Twitter chat on "Interviewing whilst on Maternity Leave" - not exactly your situation but lots of overlapping advice. Search the #MTPTchat hashtag if you're on Twitter or message me for any more chat [email protected]

On a side note, your MTPT project sounds fabulous. I know so many people (myself included many years ago) who have been either shafted, unhappy or both on returning from maternity leaves!

Ah thank you! We wanted to be solutions focused and it's grown over the two years and is now involved in some big name stuff, including this research. Get involved via Facebook (www.facebook.com/MTPT Project) Twitter (@maternityCPD) or we have a lovely termly newsletters that often includes cute photos of babies (www.mtpt.org.uk/register). The more the merrier!

I will spread the word!

Just to update, I didn't get the job. It went to someone one year qualified. On phoning to break the news the head said he was embarrassed that he couldn't offer a reason as here wasn't one. So money.

Sorry to hear that. Onwards and upwards!

I know this might sound a bit eye-roley, but it wasn't the school or the post for you. If they wanted/ needed someone with less experience then that's the dynamic of their department right now and there would probably have been things that wouldn't have suited you. Take what you can from the interview and feedback and apply for the next one. Apply for as many as you want to. I've applied for 5 positions and interviewed for 2 whilst on leave - didn't get any of them but ironically, the experience has made me feel much better about going back to my current school and it's helped me to get some of my priorities and goals clarified. Everything happens for a reason!