Just like any other job interview, preparation is the key when it comes to landing your ideal teaching role. But along with practicing your answers to common interview questions, it helps to know a little bit about the school you could be teaching at too.
This is because it shows your enthusiasm for the role and why you are the ideal candidate. What’s more, it also tells the school that you are willing to go the extra mile, something they will no doubt want from a potential member of staff.
So, in light of this, here is how to research for an interview at a school.
Job description
First and foremost, take another look at the job description and carefully go through what is required. This should contain all the key information you need to know in terms of the school’s perfect candidate and its education ideology. Try to answer any interview questions with the job description in mind and make sure you don’t stray too far from the attributes or responsibilities required.
School website
Your second port of call should be the school’s own website. There is a strong chance you will have looked at this already when submitting your application, but visiting it again can give you an in-depth insight into the school’s values and vision. You may even discover information about any recent developments or investments that you can mention during the interview.
Ofsted website
Thanks to the Ofsted website, you can find the school’s most recent report and then use this information to your advantage. For example, you could explain how your skills could support any strong areas or improve any weaker ones. Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject of Ofsted reports in the interview either, as any school worth teaching at will be forthcoming with its strengths and weaknesses.
School news
If the school hasn’t published any news on its website, search the name on Google and see what comes up. Again, this will demonstrate your interest but also reveal a bit more about the school’s culture and community. Hopefully you will find some positive articles and be able to exude genuine excitement at the prospect of getting a job during the interview.
Education news
It is always a good idea to stay on top of the latest education news anyway, but doing so in preparation for an interview can be especially important. After all, big stories or recent developments could be mentioned and you wouldn’t want to deny all knowledge of something that affects the entire education industry.
National Curriculum
If you are currently a teacher then you probably don’t need to research the National Curriculum. However, if you are just starting out or have been on a career break, it makes sense to see what topics and themes are being taught. You may even want to speak to employed teachers first or ask to observe a lesson before diving into the world of work head first.