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Staff and recruitment : Recruitment and induction

Recruitment and induction

Contents

  1. Advertising and applications
  2. Early career teacher (ECT) induction
  3. Induction and probation
  4. Interviewing and selection
  5. Interview questions and tasks: senior leaders
  6. Interview questions and tasks: support staff
  7. Interview questions and tasks: teachers
  8. Job offers and pre-employment checks
  9. Recruitment processes and requirements
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Recruitment resources for key roles

From model job descriptions to lists of interview questions and tasks, get the resources you need to help you recruit for senior and middle leaders, school business managers and more

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4 articles
  • Advertising and applications
    • Application form for recruiting school staff: template Adapt our template job application form for all your teaching and support staff roles. Find out why you shouldn't ask for criminal record information on application forms and what you can do instead. Be clear on your requirements when recruiting staff who are from, or have lived or worked, outside the UK.
    • Job adverts: requirements and guidance (academies) Learn how you can advertise your vacancies and get up to speed on the expectations in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021 for what to include in your job advert.
    • Job adverts: requirements and guidance (maintained) Find out which roles you're required to advertise for under staffing regulations for maintained schools, and get up to speed on the expectations in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021 for what to include in your job advert.
    • Writing a person specification: template and guidance Are there guidelines on writing person specifications? We point to LA guidance on writing person specifications and relay advice from One Education about writing person specifications. We have also created a person specification template that can be adapted for any school-based job.
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    7 articles
  • Early career teacher (ECT) induction
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    4 articles
  • Induction and probation
    • Probationary periods for teachers Can schools set probationary periods for teachers? We relay advice on introducing probationary periods for teachers which suggests schools should seek legal advice. We also refer to an example of a probation policy, and link to an employment contract featuring a probation clause.
    • Staff handbooks Save yourself time by reading what to include in your staff handbook, and using our examples from schools for inspiration.
    • Staff induction: your step-by-step guide Use our tips and checklist to plan effective staff induction so that new employees buy into your school's culture and settle into their role well.
    • Subject leader handbooks: what should be in them? Are there any examples of handbooks for subject leaders? This article sets out advice from one of our associate education experts, who explains what a subject leader’s handbook could cover. It also points to guidance and suggestions from a school leader and a local authority.
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    8 articles
  • Interviewing and selection
    • Holding an interview: your step-by-step guide Know the rules and best practice for organising and running interviews for any role. Learn about who should sit on the panel, how to prepare your questions and how to stay compliant with discrimination law.
    • Interview lessons in recruitment: advice Is there advice on sample interview lessons? We relay guidance from One Education and our associate education experts on choosing the location and class and setting the task, and on what to look for in interview lessons.
    • Interview lessons: observation forms See example forms for observing and evaluating lessons delivered by candidates for teaching posts, and see links to download our model lesson observation form.
    • Recruitment interview record sheets and response scoring systems Use our downloadable interview record sheet to set out your questions and candidates' responses when you're interviewing for school staff. You'll also find examples of response scoring systems.
    • Reference request for staff: guidance and template Check your procedures for obtaining reliable references meet the expectations set out in the statutory safeguarding guidance, KCSIE. Download our template reference request form and get advice on how long to retain copies of references for.
    • Reference request for volunteers: guidance and templates You should seek references for volunteers to help check their suitability to volunteer in your school. Download our template reference request forms and get advice on what to do if it's difficult to get references.
    • Shortlisting candidates: template and guidance Download our shortlisting template to help you identify which candidates to invite for interview. Find out how to make sure your process is fair and that you shortlist the right people.
    • Unsuccessful job applicants: template letters Are there templates for letters to unsuccessful job applicants? We point to sample letters produced by local authorities for their schools to inform applicants they have been unsuccessful at the shortlisting and post-interview stages. We also link to an example from a multi-academy trust.
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    17 articles
  • Interview questions and tasks: senior leaders
    • Assistant headteacher: interview questions and tasks UpdatedAdapt and use these questions, record sheet and interview tasks, along with tips on what to look for in a candidate's response, to help you select the best possible assistant headteacher. They include questions specific to primary, secondary, special and faith schools.
    • Deputy headteacher: interview questions Use these questions and tips on what to look for in candidates' answers, alongside our template interview record sheet, to help you select the best person for a deputy headteacher role in your school.
    • EAL co-ordinator: interview questions and tasks If you are appointing an EAL co-ordinator, get inspiration with examples of interview questions and tasks suggested by one of our associate experts.
    • Executive headteacher: interview questions Are there sample interview questions for an executive headteacher? One of our associate education experts suggests interview questions for executive headteachers. For some questions, there is commentary on what interviewers should expect from candidates in their answers.
    • Head of school: interview questions Are there examples of interview questions for a head of school? In this article, two of our associate education experts suggest questions you could ask candidates at interviews for the role of head of school. We also link to an article with possible interview tasks for a leadership post.
    • Headteacher: interview questions and tasks UpdatedAdapt and use these questions, record sheet and interview tasks, along with what to look for in a candidate's response, to help you select the best person for the headteacher position. They include questions specific to primary, secondary, special and faith schools.
    • Interview questions: safeguarding Safeguarding is an important part of recruitment. Use our interview questions related to safeguarding when interviewing prospective staff to help you get this right. For each question, there are also positive and negative indicators for responses.
    • Leadership post (teaching school): interview questions Are there any interview questions for a teaching school leadership post? A headteacher of a primary teaching school and one of The Key's associate education experts suggest questions for recruiting for such a role.
    • Mental health lead: interview questions Use our list of questions and examples of what good responses look like to help you find the right staff member to take on this additional responsibility.
    • Preparing for headship: what to expect in an interview Get an overview of the headteacher interview process and read top tips from our experts on how to prepare, so you can feel confident going into the recruitment process.
    • Preparing for senior leadership: what to expect in an interview Know how to impress at every stage of your senior leadership interview with top tips from our recruitment experts. Plan answers to our sample interview questions, and find out how to tweak your preparations if you'll be attending the interview remotely.
    • School business manager/bursar: interview questions Use our example interview questions for SBM/bursar candidates to help you recruit the right person for this role in your school. For each topic, find out what to look out for in candidates' answers as suggested by our associate education experts.
    • School business manager/bursar: interview tasks Use our example interview tasks to help you recruit the right person for your SBM/bursar role, and get advice on how to run the tasks you choose.
    • SENCO: interview questions Free sample Download and adapt our interview record sheet to help you recruit your next SENCO - it's got pointers on what to look for in candidates' answers.
    • SENCO: interview tasks Use our suggested interview tasks for special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) candidates to help you choose the right person for this important role in your school. The tasks are based on the SENCO responsibilities listed in the SEND Code of Practice, and also include what to look for in a good candidate.
    • Specialist leader of education (SLE): interview questions Are there examples of interview questions for an SLE? We set out interview questions for the role of specialist leader of education (SLE), suggested by one of our associate education experts. We also link to articles containing interview record sheets and guidance on shortlisting.
    • Student council: headteacher interview questions What questions could a pupil panel ask at a headteacher interview? One of our associate experts suggests questions pupils could ask candidates, and lists possible topics that the panel might want to base questions on. We also include a case study on the benefits of using pupil panels in interviews.
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    20 articles
  • Interview questions and tasks: support staff
    • Admin staff: interview questions and tasks UpdatedDownload these interview questions and record sheet, and use alongside the interview tasks, to help you recruit the best person for an admin position, such as a receptionist, admin assistant or officer, and PA. Plus, understand what good answers look like.
    • Attendance officer: interview questions If you're interviewing for an attendance officer, download and adapt our list of questions and suggested responses.
    • Breakfast club co-ordinator: interview questions Do you have any interview questions for a breakfast club co-ordinator? We relay interview questions suggested by John Searl, a consultant headteacher. We also link to further articles from The Key on the subject of breakfast clubs.
    • Caretaker/site manager: interview questions What questions might I ask at an interview for a caretaker? One of our associate education experts suggests a list of questions. We also link to questions from the Caretakers' Website, as well as relaying expert advice on what to look for in candidates' answers.
    • Catering manager: interview questions and tasks Are there interview questions for the role of catering manager? In this article, two of our associate education experts suggest interview questions and tasks for candidates applying for the role of catering manager.
    • Cleaner: interview questions Read a range of interview questions, including questions to highlight experience and common scenarios a cleaner might encounter in a school. Also see examples of what good answers might look like.
    • Cover supervisor: interview questions Are there examples of interview questions for a cover supervisor? This article features interview questions for a cover supervisor, suggested by two of our associate education experts, along with pointers on what to look for in answers.
    • Finance staff: interview questions and tasks Use these questions and tasks, alongside our template interview record sheet, to help you select the best person for a finance role in your school. You'll also find out what to look for in a candidate's answers.
    • Inclusion manager (primary): interview questions Are there any interview questions for an inclusion manager? One of our associate education experts suggests questions you could ask candidates in an interview for the role of an inclusion manager in a primary school. We also link to examples of job descriptions for the role.
    • IT technician/manager: interview questions and tasks Are there examples of interview questions for an IT technician or manager? One of our associate education experts suggests interview questions and tasks for school IT technicians and managers.
    • Learning mentor: interview questions Are there any examples of interview questions for a learning mentor? We set out possible interview questions for a learning mentor, suggested by one of our associate education experts. We also link to advice on skills to look for in a learning mentor.
    • Midday supervisor: interview questions Use these questions, alongside our template interview record sheet, to help you select the best person for a midday supervisor position. Plus, know what to look for in candidates' answers.
    • Nursery staff: interview questions If you're looking for roles like a nursery manager, nurse or assistant, use our question examples and template interview record sheet to conduct the interview.
    • Parent and family support adviser: interview questions Are there interview questions for a family support adviser? This article outlines interview questions for the role of parent and family support adviser suggested by one of our associate education experts. It also links to another of our articles, on job descriptions for parent support workers.
    • School counsellor: interview questions Hiring a school counsellor? We've created a downloadable interview record sheet, with questions and suggestions of what to look for in answers.
    • School data and information manager: interview questions Are there any interview questions for a data and information manager? One of our associate education experts suggests interview questions for a data and information manager. We also link to another of our articles with suggested interview tasks for a similar role.
    • School data manager (secondary): interview tasks See examples of interview tasks for a school data manager, including what a good answer looks like.
    • School site manager/caretaker: interview tasks Are there any interview tasks for a site manager? One of our associate education experts suggests activities that could be used when recruiting a site manager/caretaker, such as doing a risk assessment. We also point to another article with suggested interview questions for this role.
    • TA and HLTA: interview questions and tasks UpdatedUse these questions and tasks, along with what to look for in responses, to help you select the best person for a teaching assistant (TA) or higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) position.
    • Teaching assistant interview questions: supporting a pupil with SEND Use our interview record sheet with suggested interview questions for TAs supporting a pupil with SEND. It also includes pointers on what to look for in answers.
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    14 articles
  • Interview questions and tasks: teachers
    • Careers co-ordinator: interview questions Are there interview questions for a careers co-ordinator? One of our associate education experts suggests questions to ask in interviews for the role of careers co-ordinator. They include questions on the candidate's vision for the role and careers provision within the school.
    • English co-ordinator (primary): interview questions Do you have any interview questions for a primary English co-ordinator? One of The Key's associate education experts suggests interview questions for an English co-ordinator in a primary school. We also link to further articles with suggested interview questions for subject leaders and teachers.
    • EYFS leader: interview questions Are there examples of interview questions for an early years leader? We feature interview questions for an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) leader/co-ordinator, on a range of topics. We also link to questions from a local authority.
    • EYFS teacher: interview questions What interview questions could I ask an EYFS teacher? One of The Key's associate education experts, Tracey Rees, suggests a number of interview questions for an EYFS teacher. We also link to questions from a university and to questions covering safeguarding issues.
    • Head of phase/department: interview questions and tasks UpdatedAdapt and use these questions, record sheet and interview tasks, along with what to look for in a candidate's response, to help you select the best person for either the phase leader or head of department position. You'll find both role-specific and safeguarding questions, as well as tasks that test presentation and data analysis skills.
    • Head of sixth form: interview questions Are there examples of interview questions for a head of sixth form? In this article, two of our associate education experts suggest questions you could ask candidates and model answers to these questions. We also link to an article with interview tasks for a leadership post.
    • Head of STEM: interview questions Are there any interview questions for a head of STEM? We list interview questions suggested by one of our associate education experts, covering topics such as co-ordinating between subjects and using external organisations.
    • Head of year/pastoral manager: interview questions and tasks UpdatedDownload and adapt our example interview questions and tasks. You'll find both role-specific and safeguarding questions, as well as in-tray and role-play tasks, to help you get a better feel for a candidate's skillset.
    • Leading practitioner: interview questions and tasks Find examples of interview questions and tasks you can use when recruiting a leading practitioner teacher in any school. You can also see what to look for in a good answer.
    • Literacy or English subject leader (primary): interview tasks Are there interview tasks for a literacy or English subject leader? Three of our associate experts suggest tasks that could be used when interviewing a literacy or English subject leader candidates in a primary school. The tasks relate to subject knowledge, assessment, observations and training.
    • Newly qualified teacher (NQT): interview questions Are there examples of interview questions for a newly qualified teacher (NQT)? One of our associate experts suggests interview questions that could be used for an NQT post. We also refer to sample questions from a university and point to articles from The Key on interview questions for teachers.
    • Subject leader (primary): interview questions UpdatedDownload these interview questions and record sheet to help you recruit the best person as a primary subject leader. Plus, get some pointers on what to look for in candidates' answers.
    • Teacher: interview questions and tasks UpdatedDownload and adapt our example interview questions and tasks for a classroom teacher. You'll find both general questions and tailored questions for primary and secondary schools, as well as tasks that test lesson planning and classroom skills.
    • Teacher with a TLR for innovation and creativity: interview questions Do you have interview questions for a TLR for innovation and creativity? One of our associate education experts suggests interview questions on innovation and creativity, as well as some questions focused on ICT projects. We also link to some of our articles on pay for TLR positions.
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    9 articles
  • Job offers and pre-employment checks
    • Checks for agency staff Understand which checks you must carry out on agency staff such as supply teachers. Find out whether you need to get DBS certificates and what to record on the SCR, and download a template form to record written confirmation of checks.
    • Checks for new school staff and governors Use our list of required checks for new staff, volunteers and governors to stay compliant with the latest statutory safeguarding guidance.
    • Checks for staff who have lived or worked overseas You must make 'appropriate' further checks on staff who have lived or worked outside the UK. Find guidance on what these 'appropriate' checks might be, and how to carry them out.
    • Checks on teachers' qualifications You must check qualifications for new teachers. Read about how to carry out these checks.
    • Job offer letter: template Download our template job offer letter to save yourself some time and make sure you're including the right information. You'll also find more information on written statements of terms and conditions of employment.
    • Medical checks for new school staff You need to verify an applicant's mental and physical fitness for the role before appointing them. Read the rules around how to do this and avoid leaving yourself open to discrimination claims.
    • Missing references for school staff Find out what to do when you don't have records of references for staff on the single central record (SCR), including cases involving long-standing members of staff.
    • Prohibition from teaching checks You have to carry out a prohibition check on all teachers and support staff who will do 'teaching work'. Understand what counts as 'teaching work' and how to do the check.
    • Right to work checks Find out how to carry out these required pre-employment checks to verify a person's right to work in the UK.
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    8 articles
  • Recruitment processes and requirements
    • Employing teachers from overseas: what you need to know Find out how Brexit has changed your requirements when hiring teachers from overseas. See how these teachers can get qualified teacher status (QTS), and understand how to recruit them – by becoming a visa sponsor or by other routes.
    • How to do internal recruitment Read our step-by-step guide to recruiting members of staff already at your school for another role.
    • How to manage a criminal records disclosure Learn how to handle disclosures of criminal records information on a self-disclosure form or DBS check. Use our templates to help you conduct a disclosure discussion and assess an applicant's criminal record.
    • How to reduce unconscious bias in your recruitment process Learn how to minimise the influence of unconscious bias when you're making hiring choices at the advertising, CV shortlisting, and interview stages of your recruitment process.
    • Recruitment checks: cheat sheet Do you know your DBS check from your section 128? Barred list check from prohibition from teaching? Learn the difference between the key recruitment checks, why they're important and how to do them. Download our cheat sheet for a handy reference, or to include in process manuals.
    • Recruitment during coronavirus: how to manage it remotely You're advised to limit the number of visitors to your school during the national lockdown. Get guidance on remote interviews, virtual tours and more, so you can hire new staff safely.
    • Recruitment: your step-by-step guide Keep on top of all the stages in the recruitment process. See links to our guidance and resources all in one place, from finding applicants to holding staff induction.
    • Writing references: guidance Find out what’s expected of you if you receive a request for a reference. Understand whether you need to provide references when asked, what to include, and whether an individual can see copies of any references you provide about them.
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