Congratulations! Your CV has got you through the school’s front door. Now you need to demonstrate your skills, experience and personality. Here are some tips to help you to shine during your observed interview lesson.

How to succeed in an observed interview lesson

1.   Make yourself aware of latest Ofsted lesson criteria and use it

Know that Ofsted is keen for teachers to:

• Conduct mini plenaries. Show students understand topics taught and demonstrate you are on top of how learning is progressing.
• Incorporate group tasks into a lesson, as opposed to just teacher led tasks.

2.  Learn and use some of your students’ names

Show the school you are keen to get to know and build good relationships with your students.

3.  Make sure you can fit into your lesson all you have planned

Keep your lesson plan simple. At this point your school is looking to find out how you introduce topics, engage your class, teach the topics and assess your class’s understanding of what you have taught.

4.   Make sure you acknowledge student’s good behaviour

One of the most effective ways to promote the display of good behaviour by a class is to reward those who demonstrate it.

5.   Make sure you address low-level class disturbance

Your message needs to be simple, clear and non-negotiable.

6.   Make sure you follow your school’s behaviour for learning policy

Showing that you have done your homework and are keen to fit in from the start will earn you extra brownie points.

7.   Try to match differentiation and pacing to your class

Always have a plan up your sleeve in case students race through your lessons.

We hope you have found this post useful and welcome your comments.

Look out for the last part of our How to win your ideal supply teaching job series, when we provide you with advice for succeeding at interviews.

Until next time:

 About the author: Rick Smallwood is a former chemistry teacher and founder of leading London and the South East supply teacher agency teachweb. He has a proven track record of matching the right teachers to the right vacancy.