Mock Interview Questions for England

[Gnoblin]

I work in Scotland and supporting a probationer teacher (equivalent of NQT?) in interview prep. Do this annually as part of my remit for staff, but he is applying for a school in England and I have no idea about interview structure, question types, common areas of priority. I was hoping someone could suggest questions and give me an idea of normal interview length number of questions. Subject is English.

The council I work in commonly does a massive recruitment exercise annually so the jobs for all schools are done by a series of panels who appoint for the whole authority (so if they need 12 English teachers in total across the city, 4 panels might interview 8 candidates each and they grade each applicant. Then they are ordered by performance and the top 12 overall offered posts and allocated to schools). In order to make things fair questions are standardised and generic across all subjects. 4 questions from a bank. 30 minutes.

I’d appreciate any advice about what the process looks like in England. He’s a great young teacher and I’d like to offer him good advice.

In England you interview for a job at one specific school. You usually have a tour of the school with some students, an interview lesson to teach, some kind of meet & greet with your department and a formal interview with the head teacher and head of department.
I would prep by planning a lesson that fits in with the ethos of the school, you should be able to find info on this on their website.
For the interview look at the website again to get a feel for the school, look at schemes of work and exam results for your subject, read the latest Ofsted report, school improvement plan and governor’s meeting notes. Read the school newsletter.
Ask pertinent questions that show that you have done your research, mention things you have seen/read that you like and have an idea how you would fit in.
Good luck to your NQT!

Thank you!