Top 5 questions to ask at the end of a teacher interview

An interview for a teaching role can often be a daunting prospect for many teachers, eager to make a good impression and show aptitude for the role more broadly. From demonstrating your commitment to understanding the school’s culture to showcasing your own skills as a teacher, these questions for the end of a teaching interview are designed to highlight your enthusiasm, professionalism, and readiness to excel in the classroom. Below are the top 5 questions that will help you enter your next interview feeling confident and well-prepared.

What is the school culture and ethos?

Showing an interest in the culture and ethos of the school demonstrates your willingness to seamlessly integrate into the fabric of the school, benefiting the community of students and teachers at large.  Below are some examples of questions to ask about the culture of a school at the end of your teaching interview:

• What sort of culture does the school seek to embody, across both students and teachers?
• Are there any particular events which the school holds throughout the year?
• How would you describe your ideal teacher?
• What is something the school is actively working on?
• Does the school have involvement with any local community groups?

What qualities do you look for in a teacher?

Questions that show your intrigue in what qualities the school looks for in a prospective teacher helps you to align your strengths and values with the expectations of the school.  It also allows the interviewer to extol the virtues of an ideal teacher they would look for, which would hopefully match with many of the answers you would have given throughout the interview.  Find some examples of questions around the characteristics of a teacher that you can ask at the end of your teaching interview:

• What qualities do you value most as a leadership team when looking to recruit a teacher?
• Can you provide some examples of a teacher excelling in their role due to displaying certain qualities?
• How does the school support teachers in their own professional development?
• How does the school measure the effectiveness and growth of teachers?
• Is collaboration and teamwork encouraged across different teaching departments?

How are students supported in their learning?

Understanding the student population and the community the school serves is vital to your success in your teaching interview.  This will enable you to tailor your teaching approach and foster a supportive learning environment for your classes.  Asking this question indicates a willingness to engage with your students and tailor your teaching methods to cater for their needs.  The response to this question, examples of which you can find below, will provide you with valuable insights into the school’s values, challenges and opportunities for you to impact their development:

• Can you provide an overview of the student population at the school, are there any demographic trends or unique characteristics to be considered?
• How does the school support the social and emotional wellbeing of students?
• How is success recognised for student achievements?
• Is there a strategy in place for student behaviour management?
• How does the school foster a sense of community cohesion amongst students?

How involved are parents with the school?

Appreciating the ways in which a school approaches parental engagement and involvement in their children’s learning will only strengthen your performance in a teaching interview, and your future success in the role.  They show that you recognise the importance of building positive relationships with parents and a commitment to maintaining a strong home-school partnership. Questions about this are listed below for you to explore further:

• What is the school’s approach to collaboration with parents in their children’s learning?
• What steps does the school take to make parents partners in their child’s education?
• How are potential conflicts between parents and teachers resolved effectively?
• What level of parental involvement is levied within the school’s decision-making processes?
• Do parents have access to specific resources to support their children’s learning?

What resources support teachers in their role?

It is vital that as a new teacher joining a school, you have an adequate pool of resources and systems in place to support your transition into the role.  Asking questions on this topic also shows you have a keen interest in leveraging resources to enhance your effectiveness as a teacher. Outlining a growth mindset can set you apart from other candidates at the interview stage.  Ensure that you tailor the following questions based on the specific context of the school you are interviewing for:

• What resources are available for teachers to excel in their role?
• Are there any particular technological innovations that the school uses to support teachers and aid their teaching methods?
• Is there a collaboration hub amongst teachers to share resources, ideas and best practices?
• Are their specialised support staff or resources available to assist teachers in addressing the diverse learning needs of their students?
• Is there a training budget for teachers to attend workshops, seminars and other events that will promote their development in the role?

As shown, there are a host of different questions you can ask at the end of your teaching interview that can help to set you apart from other applicants.  They cover a range of different topics and themes, but all of them share a common thread, namely a demonstrable interest and passion for the role. Asking questions such as the ones we have discussed in this blog will show you are invested in the role, and want to deeply understand the ins and outs of its requirements, and ways to go above and beyond the job description. 

If you feel ready to take that next step and apply for your ideal teaching role, let us know here and we’ll get you started on your teaching journey.