Deputy head of year interview.

[ToddtheCat]

I have a deputy head of year interview soon (first time applying for a promoted post). It involves a student panel, a presentation (get the topic on the day and have a small amount of time to prepare) and then an actual interview component.

What sorts of questions do they ask for pastoral roles?

Safeguarding! And confidentiality!

I take it this is internal? Make sure you know who your DSL is and how (and what) to refer.

Be prepared for scenario questions: the favourite is always about aggressive parents.

As it is the hot topic at the moment something about gender might come up , or sexuality.

They will want to know what specific tasks within a year team you would be keen to take responsibility for and how your skills complement and supplement an existing team.

Thank you! It is internal yes. I wouldn't have thought about the dealing with aggressive parents one!

Oh , it's a favourite!

They might phrase it as a scenario but if they don't, turn it into one yourself. This is what they said I should have done at a recent Asst head interview when I flailed about a bit! I am actually good with aggressive parents (many years as a HOY!) but answered that Q really badly in interviews. Be prepared if you do go into pastoral work : the parents take up more of your time than they deserve!

Good Luck!

Look at the prevent agenda too; also a hot topic.

Wow, that is a lot to go through for this role. As a HOY, I just had an interview. They might ask how you would deal with a member of the team who isn't pulling their weight (answer, approach for m a support POV) . Definitely. Safeguarding ,sometimes a bullying question. Depending on The cohort, maybe a question on strategies to Improve behaviour or progress of a certain section?

It's for upcoming year 7 in quite a deprived area, they're really focussing on pupil premium at the moment as there are a lot at the school! I actually work with the person in charge of transition so I will go speak to him for some inside information on the cohort coming up!

It is a bit of a weird role in my school, DHOY seems to be mostly made of support staff so their entire day is focussed on pastoral care almost where as the HOYs are teachers. They did advertise to both support staff and teachers so it will be interesting to see how they adjust the timetable for a teacher. I haven't been there long (since christmas) and don't have a tutor group so feel a bit out of my depth with the inner workings of the pastoral system, in my previous school we had lots of tutor briefings (3x a week) and "Daily Routine Orders" to read out to!

Thank you for your helpful replies, I feel a little bit less lost now! I'm first up for everything so have to make a really good impression! Just have to worry about the random presentation now!

Also worth thinking about dealing with other staff, head of departments, tutors etc. I find dealing with the kids and most parents a breeze compared to some colleagues!

If it’s not usual to have teaching DHoY in your school it might be an interview qu about how you see it working if it’s done by a member of teaching staff.

Pastorally, the focus will be on safeguarding and removing barriers to learning.

How does a good hoy affect learning

I recently sat in a panel to appoint new HOYS ( i am one also)
We asked questions on the following 5 areas;
Safeguarding
Attendance
Managing a team (how you would handle a particular situation)
Dealing with parents
time management (what do you do if XYZ happens and you are about to go into a lesson)

These were all scenario based, I was looking for 2 things; the ability of the candidate to think on their feet in a rational manner and also how they could relate the scenario to experience.

Schools differ WRT the responsibilities of the role , in the Job Description . Does your role involve monitoring progress? Monitoring attendance? Would you be assisting in managing a team? How would the job differ to that of the HOY? Who are you immediately accountable to? How do you see your involvement in the pastoral team?

Don't worry about the presentation, come
Back once you know the content and we can help You further.

The very best of luck

My biggest tip, make sure you are 100% clear that it's ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN!