Any pointers for a teaching interview?

[cupofteaplease]

Hi,

I have been offered an interview on Tuesday for a teaching position. The head rang me this afternoon 10 minutes after handing in my application to offer the interview and said I need to be there at 1pm, for an interview at 2.50pm. I asked her if I need to prepare anything (ie. a lesson) and she said no, just bring yourself.

What do you think the interview could involve? I'm surprised I don't have to prepare a lesson, but the fact that I have to be there 2 hours before my interview time leaves me a little nervous- are they likely to spring something on me?!

This is my first application for a teaching post (I qualified today- yay!!), so I'm feeling very unprepared and wobbly [worried]

[Feenie]

Common questions:

Tell us a little about your background.

Tell us about a highlight of your teaching - something that went well.

How would you seek to involve parents in their children's learning?

How important is learning environment - how would you arrange your classroom?

Will try to think of some more - have done a fair bit of interviewing!

[cupofteaplease]

Thanks Feenie! So, how does the set up of my interview sound? Do you ever interview without watching a candidate teach, or is it likely they will ask me to teach something there and then without preparing? Thanks

[DebInAustria]

Have you already looked round the school? Usually it involves looking round the school, you ask relevant , intelligent questions and try to interact with children and staff as you walk whilst listening to what the head's telling you.
Is it primary? You might be asked to read a story to a group or do a group activity that is already planned.
Have you evidence from your teaching practices to show them?

[Feenie]

They wouldn't ask you to teach without warning - no one's that evil.

We usually only ask to see teaching if it's a post with TLRs/deputy, or something, at our place. So your set up sounds quite normal.

Try to be relaxed, smile, don't forget to talk about the children in your answers - you would be amazed how many people forget!

[cupofteaplease]

Hi Deb, no I haven't looked around the school due to being on my final teaching practice. Yes it is primary, year 2- I can certainly read a story or work with a group, no worries. No, I haven't got a portfolio as such, but I could prepare one using my evidence folders, would you recommend taking one? I asked if I needed to prepare anything and got a straight 'no' as the answer.

I'm very nervous as it's my first interview in this field, and I really want the job! The school looks great from its website and from dropping off my application. However, there was no application form so I just submitted my CV and a covering letter, and the advert said, 'previous applicants need not apply' which makes me feel they must have interviewed for this post before. They must have a clear idea of the candidate they want!

[cupofteaplease]

I have to work with children, Feenie??!!

Thanks for the great advice- that's calmed me down that I won't have to teach without warning.

[DebInAustria]

I don't think it would harm to take something, even if you don't use it, I always found it helped to have something concrete to talk about if you get the chance

got to go now but try not to be too nervous, remember to smile and good luck

[Feenie]

Seriously - loads of people talk about their teaching, their planning, their displays, and totally forget to mention the children!