Written by Cat Sutherland-Hawes, our Head of Admissions

Two way street

The first thing I think it’s really important to remember is that an interview is a two-way conversation. Yes, they are asking you questions and trying to determine if you are the right fit for them. But remember it’s also a chance for you to see them again, find out more about them, and determine if you think it’s right for you. So don’t think of it as just an interview but more as a chance to explore each other a bit more. Most likely by the time you are interviewed the school will have an idea of your academic ability so now they’re looking at you the person.

Preparation

Do some preparation but do not, not be over-prepped. Interviewers can spot that and that’s not what they want to see. Be prepared but not polished. At home, talk about current affairs, things going on in your life and be ready to chat to the interviewer about such things – but in a general way – they shouldn’t be asking you to discourse on the news of the day. It is worth doing some preparation with a mentor – someone who has experience of interviews and interviewing. They know what it’s going to be like and will make it easier for you and make it less daunting. The trick is to be comfortable talking, not to repeat rehearsed, learned words, but just to be yourself. It’s easier to practise that with someone other than a parent.

Parents – read the information clearly and make sure that you arrive at the right time – not too early as there likely won’t be enough space for early arrivals, but in time for your child to be settled, go to the loo, calm any nerves. If it says don’t wear school uniform – don’t. In my experience many ignore this and wear school uniform – really don’t. Have them wear something they are comfortable in – and if they’re coming from a sports match/practice, there is no harm in being in sports kit. Drop the Admissions team a quick email to acknowledge your interview invitation and confirm you will be there – nice touch and we appreciate it!

What are they looking for

You. They’re looking to see what makes you you, what excites you, what are your passions, do you have intellectual curiosity, what would you be like to teach? In most cases, interviews happen once exams are done, so they already know your academic ability – although I always insist on interviewers being “blind” – ie having no idea of exam scores – so no prejudgements are made. Not all schools do that though. Being as natural as possible and honest is what they want.

What sort of questions will there be

Inevitably this will vary from school to school and interview style will be different. Some – the majority- will be one on one, but others will be group interviews and particularly in the case of boarding schools where they really do need to see how you react with others, bonding exercises as well as a one-on-one interview. There will always be questions about you – your interests/what you do in your spare time/what are you reading/your ideal day/tell me about a time you really enjoyed. Some schools will only ask about you and your interests, others will set academic questions – perhaps some mental maths, a reading passage which they will ask you to comment on, perhaps show you pictures of some obscure objects and ask you what you think they are, maybe a painting and ask you what’s going on, or a photograph and ask you to comment on it. Some will ask the usual questions – describe yourself in three words, how would friends describe you, who would you most like to meet – those are slightly old fashioned now I think, and most are very well prepared for them. Some will ask a philosophical type of question – ie how would you describe the colour red to a blind person? (Best answer I ever heard – the colour of love or anger!)

How to answer

With questions about you, do talk openly and honestly – don’t make it up – that will be obvious – and be positive. Negativity – I don’t like Maths – doesn’t come across well. It’s not my favourite subject works better. With the more academic questions and objects/pictures etc remember there’s no right answer. They’re looking at how you answer as much as what you say – don’t’ feel the need to answer immediately but give it a little thought before responding. They may challenge you – they’re more interested in your second answer, how resilient you are when challenged – will you sway or stick to your guns? Remember there is no right answer but it’s about how you answer.

And please don’t answer the question you wish you were asked – if you have a prepared answer you want to give but can’t get it in, don’t bend the question to use that answer – it will not go down well. If you’re in a group situation, don’t worry about being quieter – as much as anything we’re looking for those who take over and don’t let others speak – that’s not a positive mark!

What to ask

You should be given a chance to ask questions at the end of the interview. This is when I would suggest some preparation is worthwhile. Have a look at the website before you go, think of things you saw when you visited – what questions do you have? It may be about a club you’d like – do they run it? Don’t ask a question that clearly doesn’t come from a child – ie what do you think of the School management? Find something that you genuinely do want to know about – ie how often do we do football training/I don’t like being on stage but would like to be part of the productions – is that possible? Take the chance to show them what you’d be interested in there, what you’d contribute by asking honest questions.

Don’ts – really important!

As above – don’t wear school uniform unless asked to
Don’t send any additional information about your achievements/interests etc in advance
Don’t take anything along to show unless asked to do so
Don’t google your interviewer in advance and go along ready to talk about their subject or tell them it’s your favourite – it’s not relevant

A final word for parents

Don’t make a big deal of this – interview is really important – but you want your child to approach it openly and calmly. Don’t be put off by large numbers of people there – schools interview lots of children but not all will be offered – and try not to chat to other parents you know after their child has been interviewed – it may unsettle you and yours. Do take the opportunity to chat to parents of the school and pupils – most schools have some of their own parents and pupils there for you to chat to. Ask them about the school, any questions you have – just engage them and get a feel for you they respond, their views, how happy they seem.

And when it’s done, go for hot chocolate and chill.

Next step is offers and decisions………..more on that later!