How would you first establish communications with the parents of this school?
What would you write in your first letter to parents/carers?
In a case where there appeared to be over expectation on the part of parents and/or under expectation on the part of a teacher, how would you handle this as a headteacher and how might you advise a teacher where this had become a problem?
How would you encourage and develop the idea of parents as co-educators to participate in their child’s education?
Can you tell us about the ways in which you have helped encourage parents to participate?
How would you engage parents that are reluctant to take part in their child’s education?
If you became aware that there appeared to be a problem at home – perhaps the child became anxious about going home at the end of the day – how would you handle this?
What kind of role do you think an active PTFA should play?
How would you promote this school in the local community?
How would you inspire governors to take an active part in school life?
How would you deal with an incident of racist language?
How would you enhance the reputation of the school?
The school
From what you have seen or know, what are your views of this school and why have you applied to be its headteacher?
What issues did you identify from the school’s latest Ofsted report?
What would you do in your first 100 days?
Who is the first person you would like to speak to on your first day?
What did you notice about the atmosphere the first time you visited the school?
The Leadership Role
Describe your leadership style in three words (or 30 seconds)
How do you see the headteacher’s role in relation to the governing body? (Guidance on good governance makes direct reference to this).
Where do you see yourself, careerwise, in 3, 5 and 10 years time?
How can you support your staff from day to day?
How would you balance your workload with your wellbeing?
How do you ensure staff wellbeing is/becomes/stays a priority?
Clearly, this is an important step in your career path – how have you tried to prepare yourself for this step?
What aspects of further professional development do you feel you are likely to pursue in order to carry out your role as headteacher? What would you hope would be provided?
What do you see as the difference between management and leadership? Which do you consider to be a greater strength for you?
How do you use your school improvement plan to benefit the school?
How would you create it?
Who would you include in the writing of it?
How do you use your school improvement plan to benefit the students? How would you share it?
What style of management do you prefer to work for and how would you describe your style?
Describe the characteristics of a successful leader. Which of these qualities do you possess?
What can your staff expect of you?
What opportunity have you had to play some part in the overall management of the school through budgetary issues? How would you manage the process of making decisions within a tight budget?
What does effective budget management look like?
Give an example of the management of change. How would you deal sensitively with resistance?
What are the key features of an effective school? How do you see the role of SMT and middle managers in achieving this?
How would you develop greater links with partner schools and engage other external agencies, eg social services, district council, police? Why?
Describe something that has gone really well this term. Why was it successful?
How would you go about changing entrenched opinions?
How would you promote the school’s reputation nationally, locally and internationally? Is this important to you?
Please indicate your position on motivating and leading staff when driving change or development.
What would you anticipate being the core challenges to your leadership in the first 6 months in this post?