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Class teacher interview questions

Questions and answer guidance for class teacher interviews, covering teaching quality, pupil behaviour, assessment and safeguarding.

11 questions: 11 with answer guidance across 11 themes. Maintained by the HeadteacherChat editorial team; reviewed .

Print the guide for a mock panel: answer guidance and space for notes are included.

Questions by theme

With the evidence a strong answer should demonstrate.

Quality of teaching

1 panel question

  1. Question 1Practised

    What does an effective lesson look like to you, and how do you know pupils have learned what you intended?

    What a strong answer shows

    Clarity on learning vs activity, checking for understanding, and responsive teaching.

Behaviour

1 panel question

  1. Question 2Practised

    How do you establish routines that create a calm, purposeful classroom from day one?

    What a strong answer shows

    Consistent expectations, positive relationships, and low-level disruption addressed early.

Assessment

1 panel question

  1. Question 3Practised

    How do you use assessment day to day to move learning forward without creating excess workload?

    What a strong answer shows

    Efficient formative assessment and feedback that changes what happens next.

Inclusion

1 panel question

  1. Question 4Practised

    Describe how you would adapt a lesson so pupils with SEND can take part and learn the intended content.

    What a strong answer shows

    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

  1. Question 5Practised

    A pupil tells you something that raises a safeguarding concern. What would you do next?

    What a strong answer shows

    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

  1. Question 6Practised

    How do you make sure your own subject and curriculum knowledge is secure before you teach something?

    What a strong answer shows

    Preparation, curiosity, and using colleagues and subject resources.

Relationships

1 panel question

  1. Question 7Practised

    How do you build positive relationships with pupils who find school difficult?

    What a strong answer shows

    Warmth with high expectations, consistency, and understanding behaviour as communication.

Working with parents

1 panel question

  1. Question 8Practised

    How do you communicate with parents about a pupil who is struggling?

    What a strong answer shows

    Honesty, partnership, solutions focus, and sensitivity.

Feedback

1 panel question

  1. Question 9Practised

    What does effective, manageable feedback look like in your classroom?

    What a strong answer shows

    Feedback that moves learning on without unsustainable marking.

Professional growth

1 panel question

  1. Question 10Practised

    How do you respond to feedback on your teaching, and how do you keep improving?

    What a strong answer shows

    Openness to coaching, reflection, and a genuine growth mindset.

School contribution

1 panel question

  1. Question 11Practised

    What have you learned about this school and how would your teaching and wider contribution meet its pupils’ needs?

    What a strong answer shows

    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.

For interview panels

Score candidates with the Class Teacher Interview Evaluation Template (2026)View the product details. £10.00, or included with a paid membership.

Teacher interview FAQs

Sources and scope

These questions support preparation and panel discussion. For appointments in England, use the current guidance and your school or trust’s recruitment policy.

Keeping children safe in education

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.

More interview questions by role

All interview guides

Guides for Teacher

  • Workload

    What the teachers’ pay and conditions document and Ofsted’s toolkit say about workload in schools in England, what to check this term and the DfE’s free toolkits.

  • Teachers’ Standards

    The teaching standards and professional conduct expected of teachers, how they are used in qualification, induction and appraisal, and the additional responsibilities set out for headteachers.

  • SEND

    The SEND code of practice and the law behind it still apply in England. The reforms the government set out in February 2026 are proposals: it does not expect new legislation to take effect until September 2029, and it has not yet published its response to the consultation.

All guides

Related reading

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