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Good to Great Webinar Series – Chris Rue – Epinay Business and Enterprise School

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Chris Rue Headteacher
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“Have a good think about what is it because some people see special needs schools as something which they’re not, and there’s a variety of special needs schools. So the biggest thing for me would be to have a good look around, you know, visit schools, you know, and then use that time to really think about, first of all, what is the right type of school for you is” – Chris Rue

Listen to Chris Rue’s amazing journey within Special Needs Education, which started with him dropping a suitcase off, having one interview, and is now a successful Head Teacher within Epinay Business and Enterprise School. Chris gives a truly heartfelt insight into his learns and progression within a career he never expected to have!

 

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Anchor Podcast Image Chris Rue Good to Great Webinar Series

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Scroll below for show notes, transcript and links…

 

 

SHOW NOTES:

[00:35] Chris’s route into teaching.

[02:07] Learning and working up from the very bottom

[05:36] Moving from teacher to middle leadership fast

[07:03] Chris gives advice to NQT’s

[08:51] Learns as a Middle Leader.

[10:08] Becoming ambitious, developing the skills and experience to make the move into Headship.

[11:55] 20 years of history, moving onto pastures new!

[13:51] Big achievements.

[15:35] Current initiatives at Epinay.

[17:24] How Chris gets away from teaching.

[19:14] Education post-COVID-19.

[22:43] The biggest influencers in Chris’s teaching career so far.

[23:40] If Chris hadn’t been a teacher.

 

Transcript

Lee Stanley 0:06
Hello, and welcome to Hadfield Educations Good to Great webinar series, where I interview the leading head teachers across the UK, and today I’m very fortunate to be joined by Chris Rue, who is the head teacher at Epinay school. Good afternoon, Chris. Thank you for being here. [Read more…] about Good to Great Webinar Series – Chris Rue – Epinay Business and Enterprise School

Good to Great Webinar Series – Nick Bevington – Town Close School

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Nic Bevington
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“In life, if an opportunity comes your way, you need to take it.” – Nick Bevington

Watch Nick Bevington’s interview where he speaks of his route from Finance graduate to Head of Town Close School, the boredom of working in Finance and how summer camp work had lit the torch paper of his love of helping and teaching young people. Nick’s early advice of taking an opportunity has stood him in very good stead.

In fact, this advice leads to Nick progressing quicker than normal to his first Deputy Headteacher role. He describes how he handled the responsibility of this post when relatively inexperienced compared to other more established staff.

Nick has lost none of his enthusiasm and passion for education and had some amazing examples of current initiatives in Town Close school. Enjoy!

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QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Scroll below for show notes, transcript and links…

 

 

SHOW NOTES:

[00:30] Nick’s route into teaching.

[01:50] The biggest influencers in Nick’s early teaching.

[04:50] Becoming a Deputy headteacher

[06:17] Learns as a Deputy.

[08:00] Making the move into Headship.

[09:54] New Head, new experiences.

[11:29] Implementing change as a Head.

[13:08] Current inititives at Town Close School.

[15:49] Genderless uniform.

[22:11] What makes a good SLT.

[24:06] Nick’s advice to NQT’s.

[27:02] Nick’s advice to aspiring Head Teachers.

[28:39] How Nick gets away from work.

 

 

 

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

 

Lee Stanley 0:06
Hello, and welcome to Hadfield Educations Good to Great webinar series where I interview the leading Head Teachers in the UK. And today I’m joined by Nick Bevington of Town Close School in Norwich. Hi, Nick, how are you? [Read more…] about Good to Great Webinar Series – Nick Bevington – Town Close School

How Body Language Can Become your Teaching Advantage!

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Teacher-interview-dress-male

Body Language: You’ve worked exceedingly hard to get this significant interview or you are working with a new group for the first time. You’ve designed and rehearsed your lesson plan so that it’s perfect, and your CV is a dream for a headteacher to read. At critical moments like this, don’t allow sloppy body language to let you down, after all, it is the unspoken barrier between you and success.

 

“Your gestures, voice tone, rate, and volume can all have a profound effect on the success of your negotiations, job interviews, and Teaching meetings,” says Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman, author of The Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help. “You only have seven seconds to make a first impression and establish credibility, trust, power, status, warmth, and empathy.”

 

Learn to send honest signals with these ten simple reminders below:

  • Lean Forward

We don’t tend to lean forward but leaning towards the employer during a conversation will signal commitment in a conversation and also show that you are engaged and have their full attention.

  • Open your arms

Whatever you do don’t cross your arms. You will come across as defensive within many cultures and contexts. Your arms crossed will show a defensive and closed approach to the interviewer, and they may take it that you’re not interested. Keep your arms open so that you’re fully involved. Data shows that you retain 38% less information when your legs and arms are crossed. So open those arms and your mind!

  • Don’t point

Were you ever taught that it was rude to point? Well, it is! Soften your gestures. Instead of a point you could try a full-hand point or chop, so that way it comes across as passion and not negative (unless you want to portray aggression!)

  • Smile (honestly!)

A normal smile is just the mouth, but when you’re genuinely smiling, you’ll also be using your eyes. A genuine smile will draw anyone in, and it will show you’re happy to be there. It will melt hearts and soothe your nerves!

  • Positive eye contact

When you make good eye contact, you’ll build trust easily and as a big bonus, it’ll show you’re engaged and interested. Studies say that people are less hostile and negative when they look into your eyes. So make sure to use your eyes for contact and gain trust!

  • Use fewer gestures

Let your hands rest on your sides or your lap.- This all depends on if you’re standing or sitting. Whatever you do don’t crack your knuckles and remember not to rub your hands, because to an interviewer it can indicate that you have a closed deal.

  • Use a lower vocal range

Say “um hum” a few times before you answer any long questions to bring your voice range down. Speak at a slower pace and avoid the slang.

  • Strike a pose

Powerful people with a high status are definitely not afraid to use the space in a room. Research shows that if you do a ‘high power pose’ — think Wonder Woman — and hold it for two minutes, your testosterone level raises and cortisol level lowers. Your confidence will shine through – try it!

 

  • Embrace the power of touch

Are you aware that if you reach out and touch someone they are more likely to say yes and go along with your request? Touching an arm created a human bond almost immediately as long as you do it with a combination with other honest communication.

  • Watch the feet

“Feet hold secrets,” says Goman, “because they are the least rehearsed.” Are you aware that feet point to the person you prefer? Whereas feet positioned close together can be seen as a timid stance but feet far apart display confidence. Use this to read somebody’s body language and at the same time stay in control of your own.

 

You may not be aware of your body language, and you may already be sending powerful signals to the receiver. Using smart body language, you’re more likely to reinforce your goals rather than being a distraction. The rise of technology and nonverbal communication is now of high importance due to the visual technology revolution. Try taking centre stage and boost your body language IQ!

Answer teaching compentency based interview questions….with EASE!

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teacher-being-interviewedWe interview EVERY new teacher that works for us. We are trying to discover all about YOU. What makes YOU different? How are YOU better than the next teacher we will meet?

Everyone is unique, likewise every school is UNIQUE. How do we match YOU to the right school and right type of teaching job? [Read more…] about Answer teaching compentency based interview questions….with EASE!

The Perfect Teaching Job Interview

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Are you a teacher wondering what schools look for when interviewing you? Whether it’s your appearance, skills, attributes or just how you perform, teaching job interviews can be nerve racking. Learn these secrets and give yourself a greater opportunity of landing your dream teaching job.

First Impressions Count…

success on blackboardFrom the moment you arrive at the teaching job interview you are being assessed. When you are going for your teaching interview you have to think about what will make you stand out from the crowd, so dress smart. Teachers are advised to wear smart business dress clothes, e.g flat trousers or a knee length skirt and flat shoes, a colour is good, but not too much. Make sure you look neat and very presentable with a smile on your face.  No one is going to employ you if you look scruffy and like you don’t want to be there.

 

Be a Soldier…

The army have a great phrase when it comes to preparation.

“Failure to prepare ….means you are preparing to fail!”

You must make a GREAT first impression not just a good one. Take time to research the school you have applied to. Review (even analyse) their website, OFSTED reports, league tables, twitter and facebook pages. There is SO much information at your disposal you simply have to scratch the surface. For every one hour of teaching you will normally spend 3 hours of planning and preparation. We advise you use the same ratio for interview and like you tell your students…. “do your homework!”

 

Visit and get a first impression

Visit the school before your interview. This will help you immensely! The drive, parking, signage and layout of the school can give you lots of clues before the interview. Use all available information on the environment. Ask yourself what will it be like to work in? and make use of it. Use the tour to pick up on relationships between student and staff. Look out for notice boards and how disciplined the students are in school. Take into account the school’s strength and weaknesses and subtly let them know how you will be an asset to their school.

 

Know your best competencies.

KNow your strengthsWhat do you think head teachers look for in a teaching job interview? You have to enjoy working with children, it’s not just about wanting to get that pay slip and the holidays! Head teachers will also be keen for you to demonstrate your teaching philosophy, experience, achievements (both in and out of school) and most importantly your personality. But getting the information across to the head is the challenge, giving meaningful and relative examples is critical and sets you apart from the crowd…OR doesn’t.

 

Have flexibility in your test drive!

Most if not all schools will make you teach as part of the interview process. This way they can see your ability to interact and perform with the students.

Key things to condersation:

  • Keep a good pace of lesson.
  • Be aware of differentiation, and always have additional work for the students who understand quickly.
  • Make sure you review with Q and A so to demonstrate the students have grasp the learning objectives…even in 30 minute lesson.

 

Would you do anything differently?

feedbackAfter the lesson observation you will be asked for your feedback. Would you change anything? If you would TELL THEM! One positive every head teacher respects is when you can identify areas to improve and change for the better. We are not talking about re-inventing the wheel. But if you pitched your lesson too high or too low say so. Explain how you would change it if you were to do it again. The ability to reflect and understand how to improve is an excellent skill.

 

Team Player or Maverick?

It is critical that you work well both individually and within the department. The head teacher will ask you for examples of such experiences.  Give specific details where you have been successful. Highlight your role in such situations. What was the goal or target? How did you helped the team achieve this? Other great examples of this may be hobbies, clubs and team sports that you may be involved in. Make sure your personality comes out with these conversations (head teachers are human beings as well!). You never know you may find common ground between the pair of you!

 

Most importantly be YOU.

Be confident, friendly with all staff and firm but friendly with the students. Make sure you display your energy and charisma during the interview process. If you are naturally reserved it is important you still present yourself and most importantly SMILE! Make conversation by having 2-3 questions about the school. Showing an interest in the recent school events is always a great ice breaker. Remember the teaching job interview doesn’t end until you are sat at home reflecting on your performance. So be observant with your surroundings. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do when the head teacher is stood next to you.

 Conclusion…

Get these area’s right and you are well on your way to achieving the perfect teaching job interview. Remember to smile, look smart, add your personality and magic, don’t be afraid to ask questions (interviewers love it when you show a genuine interest) and you will be well on your way to securing your perfect teaching job.

 

We are curious to know what you think. Are we right or completely wrong ? Let us know your comments below.