In this guide
Role-specific resume and interview guides
Teacher interviews: the observed lesson, panels and safeguarding questions
How to prepare for a teaching interview: planning the observed or demo lesson, pupil and staff panels, safeguarding and behaviour questions, and what to ask.
Planning the observed lesson
- Ask the school for the class's age, size, prior learning, any needs to plan for, the time allowed and what technology is available.
- Set one clear learning objective you can realistically reach in the time.
- Open with a quick check of what pupils already know.
- Teach the key idea briefly, then get pupils doing something with it.
- Check understanding during the lesson, not only at the end.
- Finish with a short task that shows progress against the objective.
Observed lesson materials
- Printed lesson plan for each observer.
- Resources printed in case the projector fails.
- Name stickers or a seating plan if the school allows it.
- Adaptations for pupils with additional needs you were told about.
- A note of what you would teach next, for the feedback conversation.
After the lesson: the reflection question
Many panels ask 'How do you think that went?'. A strong answer is honest and specific: which pupils made progress and how you know, what did not go to plan, and what you would change next lesson. Panels often weigh this reflection as heavily as the lesson itself.
Panel questions to prepare for
| Theme | Prepare |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding | What you would do if a pupil made a disclosure, and how you follow the school's procedure |
| Behaviour | Your routines and a real example of managing difficult behaviour |
| Adaptive teaching | How you plan for pupils with special educational needs or who are new to English |
| Assessment | How you check understanding and use the results to plan |
| Subject knowledge | Why your subject matters and how you sequence it |
| Wider school life | Clubs, pastoral roles or responsibilities you would take on |
In England, schools follow statutory safeguarding guidance, so panels expect you to know that you report concerns to the designated safeguarding lead and do not promise a child confidentiality. Elsewhere, follow the equivalent guidance where you will teach.
Pupil panels and tours
Some schools include a pupil panel or watch how you interact on a tour. Be warm, ask pupils about their school and treat their questions as seriously as the head's. Staff often ask pupils for their impressions afterwards.
Common questions
What if the observed lesson goes badly?
Say what you noticed and what you would change. Panels often prefer a candidate who reflects accurately on an imperfect lesson to one who claims everything went well.
Should I ask questions at a teaching interview?
Yes. Ask about support for early-career or new staff, behaviour systems, curriculum plans for your subject and how the school develops its teachers.
Sources
- Teachers' standardsGOV.UK (Department for Education) · England · checked 3 October 2026
- Keeping children safe in educationGOV.UK (Department for Education) · England · checked 3 October 2026
- General Teaching Council for ScotlandGTC Scotland · Scotland · checked 3 October 2026
Put it into practice
See how Luceria helps with thisDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.