These questions support preparation and panel discussion. For appointments in England, use the current guidance and your school or trust’s recruitment policy.
Classroom
Class teacher interview questions
Interview questions and answer guidance for teaching appointments, covering planning, assessment, behaviour, inclusion and safeguarding.
Curated questions and related role articles are maintained by the HeadteacherChat editorial team. Reviewed 6 September 2026.
Curated questions
Questions written and checked by our team, with the evidence a strong answer should demonstrate.
Browse question themes11 themes
Quality of teaching
1 panel question
Question 1What does an effective lesson look like to you, and how do you know pupils have learned what you intended?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Clarity on learning vs activity, checking for understanding, and responsive teaching.
Behaviour
1 panel question
Question 1How do you establish routines that create a calm, purposeful classroom from day one?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Consistent expectations, positive relationships, and low-level disruption addressed early.
Assessment
1 panel question
Question 1How do you use assessment day to day to move learning forward without creating excess workload?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Efficient formative assessment and feedback that changes what happens next.
Inclusion
1 panel question
Question 1Describe how you would adapt a lesson so pupils with SEND can take part and learn the intended content.
Strong answers usually demonstrate
A specific adaptation based on the pupil’s needs, appropriate use of support and checks on understanding. Ask what the teacher would change if the adaptation was not helping.
Safeguarding
1 panel question
Question 1A pupil tells you something that raises a safeguarding concern. What would you do next?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Listen without promising secrecy, record accurately and report without delay through the school’s safeguarding procedure. The candidate should explain how they would act if the DSL or deputy was unavailable.
Subject knowledge
1 panel question
Question 1How do you make sure your own subject and curriculum knowledge is secure before you teach something?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Preparation, curiosity, and using colleagues and subject resources.
Relationships
1 panel question
Question 1How do you build positive relationships with pupils who find school difficult?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Warmth with high expectations, consistency, and understanding behaviour as communication.
Working with parents
1 panel question
Question 1How do you communicate with parents about a pupil who is struggling?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Honesty, partnership, solutions focus, and sensitivity.
Feedback
1 panel question
Question 1What does effective, manageable feedback look like in your classroom?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Feedback that moves learning on without unsustainable marking.
Professional growth
1 panel question
Question 1How do you respond to feedback on your teaching, and how do you keep improving?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Openness to coaching, reflection, and a genuine growth mindset.
School contribution
1 panel question
Question 1What have you learned about this school and how would your teaching and wider contribution meet its pupils’ needs?
Strong answers usually demonstrate
Specific knowledge of the school, realistic examples and a contribution relevant to the advertised role. Assess evidence against the person specification rather than personal similarity to the panel.
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Recruitment
Class teacher interview questions FAQs
What are common class teacher interview questions?
Expect questions on what effective teaching and assessment look like, establishing behaviour routines, adapting for SEND, working with parents, responding to feedback, and when you would raise a safeguarding concern.
Is there usually a lesson observation?
The school may include a taught lesson, activity or other assessment. Check the invitation and ask about the class, timing, resources and any adjustments you need. Be ready to explain your choices and reflect on pupils’ learning.
How should a panel use these questions fairly?
Choose questions relevant to the published role and agree what evidence you will assess before interviewing. Use a consistent core set, make appropriate adjustments, and record evidence rather than rewarding a rehearsed style. These prompts support your recruitment process; they do not replace required checks.