I have an interview...for a private school - help!

[danfur]

Yay, I have an interview. I am so chuffed. My agency rang me today to say that this vacancy came in last week and they sent off my cv and want to see me and 2 others on Thursday. Found out all the details for the school and from the website it looks brilliant.

But... I've never gone for anything at a private school before. I'm not sure what it will be like. Apparantly Thursday is just meant to be an informal chat not an interview as such but I know they will be judging me and making their decision so I have to make an impact. From the website it says it is family run????????? What does that mean? Has anyone any
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of any hot topics to do with private schools that may come up? Anything I should particularly mention. Although it's private and thats not really my thing it looks really nice and the benefits of small classes is amazing. Please give me any advice you can as according to the agency it is until xmas with the possibility of being permanent. It's a fantastic opportunity plus it is in the same town as OH works so we'd be able to travel together sometimes.

[Mols]

I worked in a private school for over 13 years and was extremely happy and considered myself very lucky to have landed in such a friendly and caring school. It was a selective school with an entrance test even for the little ones but not all private schools do this. They may just chat with parents and meet the child or like my experience have a formal testing proceedure based on I.Q. You will have far more contact with parents if they are paying they expect it!Good luck.

[NuttySupplier]

Congrats on the interview Danfur!!!!
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Sounds like it could work really well for you... no
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about private schools myself I'm afraid, but wishing you lots of good luck!!!!

[danfur]

Thanks nutty, I'm sure I remember reading that thread at the time but it definitely refreshed my memory. I agree with a lot of what was said there and I guess I'd have to make my mind up after seeing the school etc (and if they want me!!).

The thing it boils down to at the moment for me I think is that it doesn't matter about minor irritations about the school or the way they run things, if there's a chance at a permanent teaching job I will jump at it. Unless there is something majorly weird about the place.

I've had to to take on a job out of teaching just for the chance of something permanent to pay mortgage etc and I am really missing being with the children.

Has anyone on here taught at a private school in the North East (or heard anything about any of them). If you have please pm me cos I don't want to put any school details on here.

[danfur]

Right I have thoroughly read through the schools website and have been trying to track down any kind of inspection reports but not too successfully. I have checked out teaching times and for primary it is 8.50 - 3.30 which is pretty similar to a lot of schools. The school looks fantastic from the website so I really hope something good comes of it. I've decided in my own head that if it is really just a temporary thing until xmas then I really can't afford to make the jump from my current full time job. If there is a realistic chance of it being permanent (and they should want me) then I'll take a risk. I can always do supply while trying to secure another job and spring term is always quite busy so that would be ok. Wish me luck!!

[ruby_tuesday]

Just a thought....

sometimes I wish I had taken the job in the Independent School I was offered. However, that is now, with the benefit of hindsight. I think if I had taken it then I would always have wondered if I had made the right decision.

If I was offered it now I would probably say yes!

Good Luck Danfur, I'm sure it will work out.

[NuttySupplier]

Good luck!

[danfur]

Thanks Ruby and Nutty i'll let you know how I get on.

[danfur]

Well 2nd time over it seemed ok. Today's was just to get a tour of the school and get some info on it in general. The headteacher seems nice, younger than i expected but really friendly. The school itself is nice, quite small and the year 3 class has only 10 children. The largest class in the primary side is 18 and that is only in y5 and y6.

The previous post holder resigned to take care of a family member so the head said the post will be until the summer and if he liked the person it would be permanent. If he didn't it would end there. He's asking people back for a second more formal interiew next week and then he wants the successful person to start the week after so
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.

The only thing that
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e me a bit wobbly was that he wanted me to teach music to y3,4,5 and 6 and do things like run a choir etc. I like music and did it at GCSE, can read music and play recorder and keyboard reasonably well but am a bit nervous about being responsible for music. I wouldn't have said it was my absolute strength. I'd need plenty of advise from Nutty if I got it!!!!

[NuttySupplier]

OMG, don't take it!! J/K, but if you're asked if you've any questions in the interview, make sure you ask if their plans for a Christmas Concert are well underway as it would be so hard for you to come in and organise with the whole school with just a few weeks to go!!