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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Interview advice

11 replies

MrsDThaskala · 21/04/2021 15:27

Hello!

Was used to the tes forums but that's disappeared now... What happened? But as I've been on this site recently this might be a place for teachers?

I've been invited for an interview and it's been 10 years since my last one! Feel put of practise and now very nervous.
What things might they ask me? I think they'll be a lesson to teach but the actual interview is what I'm most nervous about. I'm assuming a child protection question, why this school etc, but anything else from those who have recently been on interviews might be able to help guide me?

Thanks in advance.

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StayingHere · 22/04/2021 12:40

For various reasons I've changed jobs a few times in thr last few years. The panel interviews have been remarkably similar in terms of questions and my most recent (successful) interview was Feb so its fresh in my mind.
The questions were along the lines of:
What would you do if a child wasnt behaving in line with expectations?
What would you do if a child disclosed something to you? (There is always a a safeguarding)
Why do you want this job at this school?
How do you feel your lesson went? Positives/things for improvement
What extra curricular have you done (I'm an arts subject so maybe not relevant to you)
How do you use assessment to inform your planning?

MrsDThaskala · 22/04/2021 21:26

Very helpful.

Thank you.

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Fieldday · 23/04/2021 13:20

Hi Mrs Thaskala, I recently interviewed at a school and was thankfully successful. It was a full day involving a tour of the school, three panel interviews including a student panel, and a demonstration lesson observed by the the head and deputy head of department.

Each panel had slightly different questions.
Panel 1: Academic - Deputy head, academic, HOD, deputy HOD. First were questions around my demonstration lesson - basically asking me to analyse what had gone well, what I would do differently next time, how I would amend it if I had students with special needs in the class, how I would amend it if I could teach it over a series of lessons instead. They had read my application and had specific questions about that - e.g. around the merits or not of planning all lessons of work in a unit or planning day by day/week by week. They asked my approach to differentiation and how I ensured all students were keeping up. They asked why I taught and how it compared to other careers from my CV.

The student panel had questions on what I would do if I a student disclosed an allegation of bullying, why I went into teaching, the year groups I liked teaching best etc, what I liked about their school compared to others I had taught at, from first impressions. They were all A level students.

The third panel was with the Head Teacher and the Head of HR. They asked why I went into teaching, how I would handle specific situations - e.g. being a form tutor to a group of disgruntled GCSE boys, what I believed were the essential skills of a form tutor, what I believed were the most important personal skills a teacher could focus on with their students. What self worth meant to me and how to teach that. They asked how I had been enriched personally by working with children and what I had learned about myself. They asked about my approach to classroom management.

I hope that is somewhat useful. Try to imagine that everyone you come into contact with from your first approach to the school to the person who gives you to school tour etc will feed into the selection process somehow. I think it important to write to the school after to thank them for their time regardless of who they choose, to have all of the documents they ask you to bring in order etc etc etc.

To prepare for my lesson I went through common questions and prepared demonstration answers and scenarios to demonstrate my answers that could be amended to suit the specific slant of the question. I had questions for each panel specific to their interest - e.g. questions on their staff evaluation process to the head of HR, questions on progression and school approaches to behaviour to the head teacher, questions on syllabus and the merits of coursework or exam route only to HOD etc.

Wishing you lots of luck. Its a gruelling day but also great if you are prepared and show yourself off to the best of your ability. It can help you to realise your true value to the profession.

MrsDThaskala · 23/04/2021 16:51

Oh my goodness... Now I feel totally unprepared! And this is the part I'm worried about. Thank you though, as now I can try to prepare myself.

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OneDayAtATime1305 · 26/04/2021 14:48

Wow 10 years! No wonder you're nervous - but see this as a positive because this proves you have a strong, stable, committed career!

When I was looking for interview advice I found this recruitment blog which I thought had great tips. I especially liked the one about arranging something fun after - whether it's taking our little ones to the park or a date night, I Think that's a great tip to stop you obsessing over your phone!! GOOD LUCK!

MrsDThaskala · 27/04/2021 18:02

Thank you. There were some interesting questions.
The usual, safeguarding, working in a team, describe a typical lesson, ethos of your teaching. But two I got stuck on.
.. What does a safe working environment mean to you?
And
Describe a challenging day you've had and what you did.

Wasnt sure what to say but mumbled through. How would you answer those?

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MrsDThaskala · 27/04/2021 18:05

Haven't heard back yet... Although I'm taking it as a No, because perhaps they are waiting for chosen candidate to respond.

They were also a lot younger than me and I felt like they were more refreshed, experienced in interviews and knew all the right things to say. But it's all good experience so no harm to try.

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Fieldday · 27/04/2021 18:25

I didn’t hear back till the next day. They will all have to confer etc and then the head will want to let you know personally - so it’s a case of waiting till s/he has a diary gap. I then said I wanted 24 hours to think about it, so in that instance if the runner up would have been waiting for 48 hours for a response. Did you like the school?

MrsDThaskala · 27/04/2021 21:41

Yes I did. Its funny though. Feel like I'dike a taster day! Hoe do you really know you'd fit in from just an interview. Anyway, will see how it goes.

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StayingHere · 28/04/2021 00:52

A safe working environment I would answer with a classroom that has clear boundaries so the students feel safe to take risks and learn to their full capacity. Good luck op sure you did great.

MrsDThaskala · 28/04/2021 17:45

Didn't get the job, but they said I was a strong candidate. Gave really good feedback so I'm taking it all in and learning from it. Appreciate the advice from above posters.

Next time!

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