Top 5 Questions To Ask At The End Of A Teaching Interview

Interviews for teaching roles can be nerve-wracking. You want to make a great impression, showcase your skills, and prove you’re the perfect fit for the school. But what do you ask at the end of the interview when the headteacher leans in and says, “Do you have any questions?”

This is your moment to shine even brighter, showing your enthusiasm, professionalism, and genuine interest in the role. To help you feel confident and prepared, we’ve compiled the top five questions to ask that will leave a lasting impression.

Understanding the School Culture

We’ve divided the questions below into a few areas that it’s really useful to find out more information about when interviewing at a new school. Use this as an opportunity to find out what the school is like to work in, and how staff and students are supported. You want to make sure this is a great and supportive place to work and unless you again supply teaching experience in a school beforehand, this may be the best opportunity to find out as much as you can.

The questions below are grouped into key areas that will help you learn about the school’s culture, how staff are supported, and what it’s really like to work there. After all, you want to ensure this is a positive and supportive environment for your teaching journey. If you haven’t had the chance to supply teach there beforehand, this interview could be your best opportunity to uncover the details that matter most.

‘What is the school culture and ethos?’

Showing an interest in the school’s culture and ethos 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?
• Are there any additional duties expected of teachers that are not explicitly stated in the job description?

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, as it directly impacts children’s learning. 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’s approach to 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?

How does the school engage with the local community and parents?

Understanding the school’s culture and community is essential for a teacher to integrate into the school environment. The school’s engagement with the local community and parents can significantly impact the students’ learning experience. A school that values community involvement and parental participation can create a supportive and inclusive environment for students to thrive.

When asking about the school’s engagement with the local community and parents, you may want to inquire about:

• How the school communicates with parents and the local community
• What opportunities are available for parents to get involved in school activities
• How the school collaborates with local businesses and organizations to provide resources and opportunities for students
• What initiatives the school has in place to support community outreach and engagement

By understanding the school’s approach to community engagement, you can gain insight into the school’s values and priorities, and how they align with your own teaching philosophy.

Professional Development Opportunities

How will you support my professional development?

As a teacher, ongoing professional development is essential to stay updated with the latest teaching methods, technologies, and best practices. A school that invests in its teachers’ professional growth can create a positive and supportive work environment.

When asking about professional development opportunities, you may want to inquire about:

• What training programs or workshops are available for teachers
• How the school supports teachers in pursuing additional certifications or degrees
• What opportunities are available for teachers to attend conferences or seminars
• How the school encourages collaboration and sharing of best practices among teachers

By understanding the school’s approach to professional development, you can gain insight into the school’s commitment to teacher growth and development, and how they support their teachers in providing high-quality education.

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?
• Can you describe the school’s induction process for new teachers and the support available during this period?

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.

Browse our current occasional teacher jobs here or get in touch with our team to learn more about how we can support your teaching journey.