This is a Session led by Rachel Cave- Executive Headmaster at Highdown School as a Professional Studies session
General Advice
Spend time on the website, research the school make sure that your questions are not answerable by the information available on the website.
Visit the school if possible - BE understanding if the school does not permit you to visit beforehand as schools can be busy environments.
Understand the message and ethos of the school.
Judge whether the school is the right match for you as well - The school is on interview as much as you are as a candidate!
As an ECT you will want to know if the program to support you is effective.
Ask someone to proof read your application
Receptionists and support staff cannot get you a job, but they can certainly lose you a job. All interactions get fed back. Colleagues that are respectful and supportive are ideal candidates.
Always ask for feedback
The interview is a networking opportunity. Utilise connections rather than severing them if the position is not successful.
Your head has to be one of your referees - make sure you let them know. Make sure you let them know even if you don't as well as schools contact each other.
PGCE
Tell the Employer what you have learned in the PGCE course.
What have you learned? and what difference has it made on your practice?
Involvement in whole school activities
Involvement as a tutor
Involvement as a teacher
What difference does that make on you as a professional? What difference does that make on the children under your supervision
Impact
How can you demonstrate what you have accomplished?
Find the data, especially at later years (e.g. 'I have increased attainment at a lower achieving class from 68% to 75% C+')
The more you have accomplished, the easier this conversation will be. - Evidence progression within your practice. ' My mentor was able to observe....x y z', set it out as an experiment almost, make sure you have, a Hypothesis, methodology and outcome'. Progress increased by... rather than is demonstrated by for ECTs with only one year experience.
What is the impact of your specialty?
Consider the impact of previous employment and skills, identify which skills are transferrable.
Tour of the school
If you are no longer interested in the position, leave as soon as possible. They will respect it more and appreciate if you politely withdraw.
If you see something around the school that effectively supports your teaching practice, steal it. Posters, organisation methods, pedagogy strategies, behavioural management systems etc.
Lesson Observation
Use this as an opportunity to show off.
Pick a topic/ adapt it to make yourself shine and enjoy the day as much as possible.
You won't receive GDPR information, but ask for more general information such as:
Additional learning needs (with initials if possible)
Estimation of attainment
Established rhythms in the classroom
Prior learning
Seating plan with first names can be prepared for you when you arrive.
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