Teaching and Teaching Assistant Interview Questions (UK Schools)

School interviews in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland often include a panel interview, a lesson observation and questions about safeguarding.

Common questions

• Why do you want to teach, or support learning, at this school?

• How do you manage challenging behaviour?

• How do you support pupils with special educational needs?

• What would you do if a child disclosed a safeguarding concern?

• How do you build relationships with parents and carers?

Safeguarding

This is always asked. Show you understand that you must follow the school safeguarding policy, record concerns accurately and pass them to the designated safeguarding lead without delay, and that you should never promise a child confidentiality.

Lesson observation tips

• Plan a clear objective and a simple, engaging activity.

• Learn pupils' names and praise specific effort.

• Reflect honestly on what went well and what you would change.

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