So, you’ve landed a teaching interview. Amazing news! Now let’s turn that great news into a great job offer. With the right prep (and a little insider intel), they don’t have to be daunting. At Protocol Education, we don’t only find you great roles; we help you ace the interview, too.
Whether you’re an ECT or a seasoned pro, here are our do’s and don’ts to help you walk into a new school with confidence. And walk out one step closer to your dream teaching job.
Do: Your homework!
Interview nerves are normal. The best way to beat them? Preparation. Our consultants are here to help with that. We offer mock interviews, personalised feedback, and insider knowledge on what schools are looking for. Every bit of advice is based on what schools tell us they’re looking for. Our consultants speak to them daily; you’re getting the good stuff.
Research the school (properly, not a quick scroll). Move beyond their website and social channels. Dive into Ofsted reports, check the school’s mission, and find recent news and initiatives. The more you understand their values, the more you can show how you align.
Pro tip: Mention something specific; maybe they’ve launched a mental health initiative or achieved eco-school status. Talk about how you’d contribute.
Do: Prepare documentation
Most schools have safeguarding and compliance requirements. If you’re interviewing through Protocol Education, your consultant will let you know what to bring. The school may require you to bring evidence of your:
identity, such as your passport or driving licence
residency or working rights
exam qualifications, such as certificates or transcripts (especially for QTS and PGCE).
Pro tip: If you qualified in England, you can download your teaching qualifications from the DfE portal in minutes!
Do: Prove your classroom confidence
Schools want to know that you can take charge of a class, engage learners, and manage behaviour. Use examples from your experience to show how you do this. If you have a story about turning a tricky lesson around, it’s time to tell it! Keep it concise and focused on what you learnt.
Pro tip: Schools love real examples, so have a few ready about your classroom management style, how you differentiate learning, or how you support SEN pupils.
Do: Know your stuff
Brushing up on the curriculum, safeguarding, and behaviour policies is a must. The school’s website and Ofsted report are handy here.
Lesson planning, assessing progress, and adapting mid-lesson are your superpowers. Be ready to talk through your process with examples that bring your approach to life. If you’ve dabbled in creative writing, you’ll know the phrase “show, don’t tell.” Bring this concept to the interview. It’s time to show how you teach, not what you teach.
Pro tip: Bonus points if you can drop in something specific about their ethos or recent achievements during the interview.
Do: Let your personality shine
Yes, subject knowledge matters. But schools are looking for someone they’ll be happy to bump into at the photocopier or chat to over a coffee in the staff room. No one wants to work with a walking textbook, so be yourself. Warmth, humour, and passion go a long way.
Do: Be ready for questions
A bit like exam prep, you won’t guess every question, but you can still be ready. Say your answers out loud (yes, really). Practice with someone if you can. Need a sounding board? Our consultants can help you prep and polish.
Schools might ask:
Why do you want to work here?
Why do you like teaching/want to work as a teacher?
What do you need to work on? (Keep it work-related but avoid the standard “I’m a perfectionist”. We see you, classic line, but dig deeper.)
Pro tip: Go deeper than the common, "I want to become a teacher so that I can make a difference to young lives.” Lovely sentiment; now tell the panel what that looks like at 8.15am on a rainy Monday in November.
Do: Plan your outfit and route
Classic advice, but worth repeating. First impressions matter. Wear something smart and comfortable (yes, you can be both). Plan your journey so you’re not rushing in red-faced two minutes before. No one feels interview-ready when they’ve sprinted from the visitor car park.
Pro Tip: Need a quick run-through before the real thing? We don’t offer fashion advice, but we do offer mock interviews, real feedback, and no judgement.
Don’t: Memorise a script
It’s great to practise, but don’t come across like a Year 6 reading lines in the school assembly. Interviews are conversations. Show your personality. You’re a teacher, and connecting with people is your strength. Let that shine through.
Pro tip: Don’t forget, your consultant is only a call or email away. We’re not only here to place you in a job. We’re here to help you build a career that feels as good as your best lesson.
Don’t: Forget it’s a two-way thing
Interviews aren’t about ticking boxes. Ask the questions that matter to you, like how they support ECTs, what CPD looks like, or how they support bullying or staff wellbeing. A great role is a two-way match. You’re not auditioning. You’re deciding if the school feels right.
Pro tip: Whether it’s your first interview or your fiftieth, we’re right behind you. And if this one doesn’t work out? No stress. There’s always another school waiting for someone like you.
Need a hand with prep? That’s what we’re here for
If you’re feeling a bit rusty or just want to walk in with more confidence, our free CPD courses are a great way to sharpen your skills and knowledge before interview day. From educator onboarding to the Thrive approach, there is something for everyone.
Not sure where to start?
The teaching assistant tips CPD covers everything from how to prep for the interview, what to bring, how to arrive, and even what to expect on your first day if you get the job. It’s quick, helpful, and free if you’re registered with Protocol Education.
And remember, our consultants have experienced hundreds of teaching interviews. Some are qualified teachers themselves. They know what makes a teacher stand out. That’s why we can help you prep, practice, and feel ready. So when the right role pops up (and we’ve got plenty of those), you’re already one step ahead.
Ready to put these tips to work?
Your next great teaching job is a click away. Check out our latest roles here.
