While most jobs require a formal interview and perhaps a short test of some kind, teacher interviews are on a whole other level: teaching classes, meeting fellow interviewees, being grilled by pupils and panel interviews.
It’s not easy, especially for new teachers unsure of the processes. Indeed as a headteacher who has conducted countless interviews, I’ve seen many a promising candidate falter due to uncertainty about the process.
However, forewarned is forearmed, so here’s my comprehensive guide to navigating a teaching interview day successfully to hopefully land that dream job.
How to prepare for your interview
Schools typically provide at least five working days’ notice before your interview. You’ll receive an email outlining the day’s schedule and requesting essential documents: educational certificates, proof of address, and two forms of ID (including one photo ID).
Your preparation shouldn’t stop there. If you’re asked to deliver a lesson, don’t hesitate to ask practical questions about available technology, printing facilities or classroom resources.
While you might not receive detailed information about pupils’ needs - this can be part of the assessment - you can request anonymised class data to support your planning.
Always prepare more material than you think you’ll need, and bring physical resources where possible. Schools love to see well-prepared candidates who’ve thought through every detail.
What to expect from the interview day
1. The lesson observation
Those observing you don’t expect a perfect lesson - instead, it’s about demonstrating your classroom management skills with unfamiliar pupils and showing subject expertise.
As such, structure your lesson carefully, avoid purely lecturing and manage your time effectively. Interactive elements and pupil engagement are key.
2. The school tour
You’ll likely tour the school with staff members or pupils. This is more than a casual walk-around - it’s an opportunity to demonstrate genuine interest and engagement.
Ask thoughtful questions about the school community and observe the environment carefully. Notice how staff interact, whether pupils appear engaged and how safeguarding is prioritised.
2. Meeting candidates
Yes, you’ll meet other candidates! Schools often include group discussions to assess teamwork abilities. Remember: being collaborative rather than competitive often makes the strongest impression.
3. Meeting potential colleagues
You may have opportunities to interact with potential future colleagues during breaks. Strike a balance between being engaging and observant - use this time to gauge the school’s atmosphere and staff relationships. It’s important to want to make a good impression - but you have to decide if it’s the right choice for you, so be observant.
4. The pupil panel
Many schools include pupil panels in their interview process. Be prepared for unexpected questions - even having a clean joke ready can help break the ice. Pupils want to see authenticity and approachability, so stay professional but personable.
5. The formal interview
The interview panel typically includes three members: often a governor, the headteacher and a subject leader. Questions usually follow a standardised format, with responses scored on a matrix (commonly 0-4). You can expect questions about:
- Your professional skills and experience
- Educational vision
- School improvement strategies
- Assessment and data management
- Behaviour management
- Leadership capabilities
- Handling challenging scenarios
- Safeguarding knowledge
Always be honest if you’re unsure about something - attempting to bluff through answers rarely ends well. Prepare thoughtful questions for the end of the interview, including discussions about career progression and, yes, salary expectations.
6. The decision
Unlike many sectors, teaching positions are often decided on the day, with offers made by phone shortly after interviews conclude. Be prepared to accept or decline immediately - schools need quick decisions for planning purposes.
If unsuccessful, maintain professionalism and request feedback. Many candidates receive future opportunities from schools where they initially interviewed well but weren’t selected.
Other considerations
- Clean up your social media presence - schools do check
- Ensure all application materials are professional (no bold capitals or spelling mistakes - a personal pet hate!)
- Bring backup materials for your lesson
- Dress professionally and arrive early
- Show genuine enthusiasm throughout the day
A final word from interview experience
In my years of conducting interviews, I’ve seen some wonderfully creative approaches. One science candidate arrived in full Harry Potter regalia, complete with wand and gown, transforming their lesson into a spellbinding potions class that had pupils completely entranced. Another memorable interview saw a French teacher candidate arrive with an array of props, including fresh baguettes and cheese.
But I’ve also experienced the other side of the process and learned valuable lessons.
Once, as a candidate myself, I had meticulously prepared a requested Year 7 lesson on settlements, only to be suddenly directed to teach Year 9 about volcanoes during the school tour. I withdrew from that process - if leadership showed such disregard during recruitment, it raised serious questions about their everyday management style.
Remember, interview days are as much about you assessing the school as they are about the school assessing you. Stay observant, engage authentically and trust your instincts about whether the environment feels right for your next career step.
Julia Polley is the headteacher of The Wensleydale School
