Teacher training interview success
Teacher training interview tips from our very own experts
Advice for preparing for a teacher training interview.
A teacher training interview may feel like a daunting prospect, but we are here to take the stress out of the process and help to make it an experience you can thrive in and, dare we say it… even enjoy!
We chat to our very own Sheffield SCITT teacher training experts, Jen Benzies, Greg Noble, Alastair Gittner and John Coats, who have interviewed thousands of teacher training candidates over the years.
It is standard to be contacted very quickly after you apply to a teacher training provider, they will often arrange a date for interview within a week of receiving your application. Within the selection process you will be expected to complete a twenty minute teaching exercise with a small group of pupils. After the teaching exercise, you will be given the opportunity to reflect on your teaching practice. This is normally followed by an interview. If you are applying for secondary teacher training, expect at least one member of the interview panel to be a subject specialist. Expect to answer questions about your degree and experience and why you want to teach. One key role of a school is to keep it’s pupils safe, make sure you are informed on safe guarding and ready to answer a question regarding it.
Greg, our Secondary Core Lead insists the best advice for any teacher training candidate is is to familiarise themselves with the schools mission statement. Consider the ethos and values that make the school unique and how answers can be tailored and personalised to a specific school.
John, Sheffield SCITT Teaching School Director, thinks it important to consider how you present your personality to the panel. You are someone who wants a career working with young people – make sure you convey this in your interview, try to look as though you are enjoying yourself (try to put any nerves to one side) in any activity you are asked to do with young people. Think ‘smile’!
You are someone who is passionate about your subject – have some examples ready to go that demonstrate this. Examples that show how you pursue your subject outside of university lectures/compulsory study are good.
Being an extrovert is not a pre-requisite to being a great teacher – everyone’s personality is reflected in the way they go on to develop their teaching style. However, remember that you are applying for a job where you will need to have presence and be charismatic. Think about how you portray this when interacting with young people in any teaching activity, and with those interviewing you.
Jen and Alastair agree that it is important to reflect on what school is like for a teacher, have examples of what characteristics make a good teacher. It is great to have knowledge and passion for your chosen subject, but make sure that you can relate this to wanting to work with children and demonstrate how you would share your enthusiasm for the subject.
Join our next primary or secondary open event to find out more about the application and selection process at the Sheffield SCITT.
Related News
PAID work experience in a school
Read More →
Insight into primary teacher training
Read More →
Insight into Secondary teacher training
Read More →