The day has arrived and you have successfully achieved an interview at one of the schools you have applied to – well done….now let’s look ahead and see how the day will pan out.
You will have received in the post or even by email your invitation to the interview. You must now confirm that you wish to attend.
There are some things that you should note about your invitation:
- It may ask you to bring documentation with you such as Teaching number – certification or whatever else…so make sure you remember this.
- There should be confirmation of any teaching task that you have to do.
- The invitation will give you the time to arrive.
Type of interview:
Your time of arrival can give you a clue as to how the school is arranging the interview day. There are 2 ways they can do this:
- All candidates arrive at the same time and wait together as each is interviewed in turn.
- Candidates are given times for interviews and these are spread across the day.
It really doesn’t matter which way they do it but if you have an idea then you won’t be surprised by anything when you arrive.
If teaching is involved then the school will usually bring candidates in at set times so you won’t be sat in a room with other people and might only meet by chance as you arrive or leave. The result of the interview will be a phone call later in the day after all the interviews have been completed and a discussion by the panel has resulted in their decision.
If the arrival time is early (9.00 / 9.30) and there is not a teaching element, then the chances are that all the candidates will be waiting together – if you’re last on the list it can be a long wait! All candidates are interviewed and then return to the waiting area. The result of the interview is announced following all the interviews and a panel discussion. Usually the successful candidate is asked to return to the interview room and another member of the panel will stay and thank everyone else and inform you that feedback can be obtained if you telephone another day.
For an NQT interview the approximate interview time will be 30-40 minutes with any teaching extra, but this should not really be longer than 20 minutes!
The Interview panel:
The interview panel can be of any size….I know that sounds vague but its just a fact. It depends on the school and also the nature of the governing body. So you may encounter the Headteacher, another teacher (especially is the school has year groups) and some members of the governing body (and these can be 1 or 2 or even up to 4 or 5!)
But don’t worry, the Headteacher will lead the interview and will have talked things through with the panel before the interview. If at any point the interviews direction strays, then the Headteacher should return things back to the status quo!
How things will unfold:
Interview with teaching….I cannot say for certain how individual schools will organise this; so I will tell you how I organise things and it will give you some idea.
You will be asked to come into the interview room by the Headteacher who will then show you to your seat. If he / she introduces the panel before you sit down then you can shake hands but if he / she shows you where to sit before introducing the panel then just say “nice to meet you or good morning.” In my school, I would then give a brief explanation of the interview format which would have the teaching part first – so following this you would be taken to the classroom or room where the children will be. The panel will have seats at the back and the Headteacher will introduce you and if you need a few minutes to get ready he / she will “hold the fort!”
Following this you will return to the interview room – the purpose of having the teaching first is so that questions may be asked in relation to what has been seen. If you have a Portfolio then this is the time to give it to the panel. (but make sure after the interview you wait for it to be returned)
Interview without teaching inclusion….You will be asked to come into the room by the Headteacher and introduced to the panel. If you have a Portfolio then this is the time to give it to the Panel (make sure your name is on the front and large!) The interview will commence and usually the HT will start the questions.
Another variation that seems to be happening more is the inclusion of a variety of additional tasks….these can vary from marking exercises, presentations, maths or english tests, school council questions and even compose letters to parents introducing yourself! Most you should be informed about in advance but if anything is sprung on you then just give it a good shot. If all this happens and the candidates are all together then it can make for a long day!
Your Interview:
Let’s assume that the interview is going to be well organised….we hope! In which case the questions will have been decided before the interview and the panel will each know the questions that they are going to ask and also in the case of the governors, the key things they are looking for in a response. This should eliminate any wildcard rubbish that is thrown your way, however be prepared for any strange questions that might be asked (although I would anticipate the HT would smooth these out if they arise)
When a question is asked, take a moment to collect your thoughts before replying. If you are unsure of the questions meaning then don’t hesitate to ask politely if the person could either rephrase or explain the question a little more – you can only do this once!
If you are still unsure then give it your best shot – as a HT I would always intervene to give a question more direction if I thought it needed it and this may happen.
Your answers should be initially directed to the person who asked the question – but as you are speaking you can change your focus to speak to the whole panel but always return to the person concerned.
If you have had a teaching activity prior to the interview then you will be asked specifics about this – here you need to answer professionally and explain why you did certain things and what you observed about the pupils interaction and from their responses. You may also be asked how you would extend activities from this point.
What are the Panel looking for?
These are the qualities that an interview panel is looking for in an NQT interview
- Good professional basic knowledge
- Friendly and outgoing and someone everyone can get on with
- Someone who can show sound classroom practices
- Will fit in with the Staff team and ethos of the school
- Is willing to listen and learn and is open and receptive to professional development.
So if you can show the panel you possess most or all of the above then you have an excellent chance of appointment.
You will notice that 3 of the 5 points are concerned with you as a person and how you will complement the team. The other 2 are showing you professionally as having a good basic professional knowledge and solid classroom practice. This is where the school expects you to be at this stage in your career -once appointed you will then start to professionally develop and progress as you grow in both your confidence and experience.
When all the panels questions have been asked you will be asked if you have any questions. You do need to have 2 or 3. They can be about anything to do with the school or children but don’t ask about pay! It is not a problem if you have these written down and wish to read them out…it won’t go against you at all.
Interview results: Following your interview and before you leave the panel will ask you if you would still like to be considered for the post. If yes then great, but if you are unsure or now definitely deciding no then this is the time to say it. Don’t say yes and then turn it down later if it’s offered – that causes all sorts of bad feeling and problems. There is no problem in saying that you are no longer a candidate and you will not have to explain beyond ” for a variety of reasons”- I actually did this at the end of a 2 day Headteachers interview when I just felt that things didn’t suit me….so I said “no I was no longer a candidate.” – it happens!
If you do not get the job don’t take it personally – there are a million things that can sway interview panels and some decisions can be on totally non educational factors!
Move on to the next and be the same positive, friendly and professional person.
All that remains is for me to say GOOD LUCK and I hope it all goes well.
Primary Practice would like to invite you to join our NQT and trainee teacher Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1347401775298840/?ref=bookmarks
Charles