How to nail your teaching interview: 12 questions and how to answer them

Headteachers often see a large field of applications. The interview is where the shortlist becomes a job offer — and preparation is one of the few parts of the process you fully control.

1. *Why do you want to teach at this school?* — Reference their latest inspection report (Ofsted in England, Estyn in Wales, Education Scotland, or the Education and Training Inspectorate in Northern Ireland), values and recent news.
2. Tell us about a lesson that went brilliantly. — Structure: context, choice, outcome, reflection.
3. Tell us about a lesson that went badly. — Show self-awareness and what you changed.
4. How do you approach behaviour management? — Name the school policy if you know it.
5. How do you differentiate for SEND learners? — Give a concrete example.
6. How do you assess progress? — Formative vs summative, low-stakes retrieval.
7. How do you use data? — Show you can read a spreadsheet without drowning in it.
8. Tell us about safeguarding. — the statutory guidance for your nation (KCSIE in England), reporting routes, the DSL.
9. How do you work with parents? — Positive contact, not just problems.
10. What's your subject pedagogy? — Cognitive science, dual coding, spacing.
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? — Ambitious but grounded.
12. Do you have any questions for us? — Always yes. Always thoughtful.

• Blaming pupils or previous schools.
• No knowledge of the school's context.
• Vague answers without evidence.
• Not asking any questions at the end.

Re-read your application, print the school's SDP, plan your journey with an hour of buffer, and get a proper night's sleep. Confidence comes largely from preparation.