Behaviour management advice during interview observed teach please!

[ScrambledToe]

Hi, I went for my 1st interview as an NQT a couple of days ago, I didn’t get it unfortunately and their feedback was that I wasn’t assertive enough with the low level behaviours in the room. He said not to be afraid to discipline students you don’t know.

I know in that interview lesson it could have been better but I did struggle with the new setting, new kids, nerves!!

How can I overcome this next time?

It’s so hard when you don’t know the children, so you can’t just say ‘no thank you, Jacob’.

I think a lot of it is to do with self belief. A friend of mine used to stand outside the classroom and say to herself, ‘I am Mrs Jones. No one fucks with Mrs Jones’. If you believe you are a force to be reckoned with then do will they.

Thanks Larry It’s so hard to show your true potential in an interview

I always find myself being OTT in interviews - dancing around like a loon to hold the kids' attention. Plan something that has a hook to get them instantly interested, then mix up a bit of you talking with a bit of them talking together, then a physical task to do... just keep it well-paced and with some different teaching styles. You talking a lot or them talking in pairs/groups a lot can mean low-level disruption can happen.

I have found the 5-minute lesson plan useful to use and also the book 'Pimp your lesson'.

Thanks sparkles I’ve used the 5 min plan before, will look for the book x

I think what they want to see is you addressing the behaviour. If a child is not on task walk and stand by that child. Have a "visible" quiet word. Act like it's your class, your school
Good luck

You might have dodged a bullet there. The kind of school where the kids try low level disruption with (presumably) SLT in the room is NOT a good bet for starting your career.

Yes, definitely. If the kids can't even behave when senior staff are in the room, run like the wind!

I've recently interviewed for NQT positions and recently secured a job. For each interview, I asked for a seating plan and 4/5 schools did give me one- this really helped with behaviour management as calling a child who doesn't know you by name often shocks them into behaving! Using names to target questions also works really well!

In my successful interview, I tried set expectations quickly but clearly before each task, wait for silence before talking and giving clear, explicit instructions e.g. "Everyone's attention needs to be back on me now." which they seemed to really like.

I do agree with others, though- most interview classes are chosen because they're reasonably complaint, they often get told the expectations before hand, and there's usually SLT or at least the HoD in the room too- so if they are trying it on in that situation, it may not be a school you want to work in!

I hope this helps a bit, but it's all about finding a school that is the right fit, rather than getting a job straight away (in my opinion, anyway).

I had an interview lesson where quite a few children decided it was ok to shout out as I was talking (all relevant contributions but WTF nevertheless).
After a few interruptions I stopped and told them that I wanted to hear what they had to say but they must remember their manners and should put their hand up and wait their turn. They did it.
Same class, low level chat from sim during independent work. Whole class reminder to focus, Conversation should be about work in hand etc... 'I don't want to hear...'

Good luck OP

BTW, if the children actively mess around in class when you are being observed by SLT, run a mile.
Thankfully, I have never been in this situation.

Tell them the behaviour you expect at the start. You’ll do this in September anyway. It’s the establishment phase.

Even if you do t know their names (and a seating plan is a good idea), you can notice a child who is behaving well and comment on it.

if One of them is messing about, praise the ones nearby who are cooperating, such as ‘I really like the way you’re getting on with that task’. Proximity praise does work.

Go a bit over the top with the lesson and pique their interest straight away.

If there is someone who isn’t doing what you asked, remind them of your expectations and direct them back to the task. Use the ‘broken record’ technique, calmly and assertively reminding them of the behaviour and work you expect.

That’s really useful foxy thanks. I guess I just don’t know how to act in an interview lesson. Setting the expectations, using section system?

@Foxyloxy1plus1
One of them is messing about, praise the ones nearby who are cooperating, such as ‘I really like the way you’re getting on with that task’. Proximity praise does work.

If you are teaching primary then yes this is fine but I really wish teachers wouldn't keep doing this as a way of managing whole class behaviors. All it does is yet again single out the few kids that want to work and behave, cue even more bullying about being a swot/try hard/sap.

I wouldn't use a sanction system at all!!!! Set expectations before you start by saying when you talk they need to listen and have eyes on you. Show them/Use silent stop technique or clap hands and they copy and tell them that means you want silence and will wait until everyone is ready. AND MEAN IT! If they are slow with this, praise children who are doing it nearby.... e.g... 'I love how this boy is looking right at me and is quiet' Ask his name, make a fuss etc.

Use this when you need to stop them or if there is any disruption.

Good luck, you'll get there. I had 6 interviews when I was an nqt because I was so nervous! Tbh I felt like they already knew who would get the job before I even went. Don't feel disheartened.

Thanks russell but what’s so bad about using the sanctions system?

Also, my interview was with a yr9 class, not sure what they’d make of me clapping my hands and expecting them to repeat me?

Personally I wouldn't try clapping hands with a year 9 class either! But things like 3,2, 1 can work to get everyone's attention back, for example.

Interview lessons are hard (especially if they are very short) and most people don't get the first job they interview for.

The more interviews you do, the easier it will get!

Well what kind of sanctions are you thinking? At the moment it seems that positive approaches to behavior management are more popular.... plus with you not knowing the kids and not working there to follow through with anything I'm not sure how you could use sanctions effectively tbh.

Sorry I'm a primary teacher and stupidly assumed it was primary!

Sorry russell I’m thinking about the sanction system in place at the school. Would it be okay to use that during interview? Although, like 1 strike on the board.

I had my final observation today, and everything is well except she, like the interview school picked up on my low level behaviour management. She said I’m too nice!

Do you know the sanction system at the school? Normally sanctions would then be followed through which you can't do...so may be pointless.

My personal opinion is that you need to demand attention and respect using your body language and voice. Also waiting until the children are listening and picking up on children who are disrupting.