SCITT interview tomorrow- any advice please?

[creamandpeaches]

Hello!

I applied a week ago, found out straight away near enough that they'd like to offer me an interview.

It's tomorrow and I feel really unprepared! I have been out of work/education for a long time now. I finished my degree and had my baby, she is 2 now.

I have to do a 5 minute presentation on an educational topic; I have chosen strategies on challenging behaviour and nurturing positive behaviour... only because I worked at a school with children with challenging behaviour so thought I'd be knowledgable.

I then have to do a 10 minute story telling sessions to a group of 8-10 year olds. I have chosen a book by Michael Morpurgo "Friend or Foe" and I was going to read the first chapter then ask the children about how they'd feel being evacuated, leaving home etc. maybe throw in and ask some differences between evacuation now and then. How they'd communicate with parents etc.

Does that sound okay?

I'm really nervous and just don't feel prepared! Trying to practice alongside it being summer holidays with two children to entertain too!

I have to do a piece of writing on core knowledge and of course a panel interview too.

It's the presentation that I am worried about the most!! I am fine standing up in a class to teach but the thought of doing a presentation to interviewees makes be nervous. Any tips welcome! Thank you.

Hi there, @creamandpeaches we've moved this over to the Staffroom for you and we hope that helps. Best of luck with your interview.

Thank you!

Can you tell from the school website to see if they cover WW2 anywhere in KS2? Just so you know where to pitch your questions.

Have you timed yourself reading the first chapter of the book? That will tell you how many minutes you'll have available for questionning. When you ask a question, tell them you're going to give them thinking time (and then count in your head to make sure you really give them 30 seconds or whatever as time will do funny things) before you ask them for answers. That will give all the children a chance to think of a response without being dominated by the loudest ones. If they are a bit slow to warm up, after the thinking time you can ask them to share their ideas with their partner before sharing with the group.

To be honest, in 10 minutes, all they are looking for is to see how well you relate to a group of children - can you hold their attention, get them to take turns to share their ideas.

Good luck - the fact that they've offered you an interview so close to the start of the course means they have spaces to fill so I reckon you can relax and enjoy the experience!!

Ahh I didn't even think about checking if they cover WW2! I guess I can ask them and see what they know about evacuees etc and go from there. Asking them how they'd feel etc maybe what they'd pack in their bags and how different it would have been compared to them and now etc etc

Thank you! The presentation is the part I am worried about the most. I like reading and talking comes quite naturally to me, so the story part I'm okay with. But the presentation is making be very nervous!

I think reading a chapter of a book might take longer than you think so do time it- can you cut it down to a relevant passage? Anyone can read a book to children but they want to see you engage with them. Once the reading has been done, you could hold up a suitable sized bag and challenge them to work in small groups to come up with what they would take with them if having to leave home. Share ideas, then make a top 5 list of the most popular suggestions.

Sorry posted too soon- get a bit of debate going, can they explain why they think other people's suggestions are good/bad?

just seen that the interview is today so pretend I didn’t say anything😂

Haha thank you! I got offered the position woohoo 🎉

Congratulations @creamandpeaches 🎊 when do you start?

I hope you have a great training year!