REd Hot Tips

Make Your CV Stand Out From The Crowd

In order to register with REd all you need to do is send through your incREdible CV!

Here are a few things to consider when writing your CV:

• Your CV is the first chance to create a great impression with potential schools so make sure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, all the font is the same and the formatting is correct throughout.
• Try to keep your CV to a maximum of 2 sides of A4, if possible.
• No gaps – make sure there are no gaps in your employment history, even if some periods need to be covered off as ‘travelling’ or ‘job hunting’. You will need to include months and years, rather than the actual dates.
• The following headings may help you get started with a basic outline:
  • Personal Details – name, address, telephone numbers, email, TRN number (if applicable).
  • Optional - date of birth, marital status, nationality, visa status.
  • Personal Profile – briefly introduce yourself and your aims at the top of your CV. What can you offer to a school?
  • Education – start with the most relevant (i.e. your teaching qualification) and then work backwards.
  • Work Experience - focus on your teaching experience
  • Further Qualifications
  • Hobbies and Interests
  • References
• Alternatively, please download our CV template to help you create your incREdible CV!

Interview Tips

General Tips For The Interview Day

• Dress: gentleman – suit and tie; ladies – smart ‘office, professional’ attire (skirt/trousers and jacket, for example)
• Be enthusiastic and passionate about teaching and your subject. Children and young people respond best to teachers who really show their personality – the school will need to see this – so try to make sure nerves don’t get the better of you and that your personality shines through!
• You will be on interview all day – even if being shown around the school by students (they will have been hand-picked and will probably be reporting back). Remain professional at all times, retain your enthusiasm throughout, ask questions, smile a lot!

The Lesson Observation

• Plan a 3 part lesson – ensure the lesson objective is clearly displayed and introduced at the start of the lesson; have a starter activity (something quick which gets the students involved straight away); main part (try to show some form of differentiation – by task or outcome); plenary / assessment of what they have learnt at the end (ensure you leave time for this). Try to keep the pace of the lesson moving.
• They will be more concerned with the rapport you strike with the students, the pace of your lesson and how / when you intervene / interact with the kids – these are all things that should come naturally to a good teacher – so you will be fine.

The Formal Interview

• Think of some questions you’d like answered – maybe do some research from the school’s website, Ofsted report etc?
• Think of some answers to likely questions they might ask you. Try to keep all answers positive – eg. They may ask about your strengths and weaknesses – try to turn a weakness into a ‘strength’ – so you might say you’re self-critical, for example?
• Some possible interview questions they may ask:
  • Settling in type question - tell us about yourself, teaching career to date, why you chose teaching as a career?
  • Tell us about a 'good lesson' - why it was good
  • Tell us about a 'not so good' lesson
  • Behaviour management
  • Child Protection question
  • Differentiation
  • Extra-curricular involvement
  • Strengths / weaknesses
  • Why you should be offered the job!
  • They will almost certainly ask if you are a serious applicant for the position – i.e. would you accept it, if offered? If your answer is anything but a resounding ‘yes’ they are unlikely to offer you. This is where your enthusiasm and passion needs to really come to the fore.

Survival Tips

• Dress Code and Personal Conduct
  Teachers are required to dress in a professional manner. We recommend men wear a shirt and tie and women dress in smart trousers or skirts. Denim and trainers are not suitable, unless you are teaching PE where a suitable tracksuit, collared t-shirt and trainers are required. Be enthusiastic, positive and friendly when arriving at schools. You are employed to teach the children and solve the schools staffing problem, so a happy teacher is always a welcome sight.

• Unable to Work
  If you are unable to attend school due to illness, you must call the school and us at REd by 7.15 a.m. The earlier the school know that you will not be attending, the better as they will be more able to plan for your absence and ensure that the students’ learning will not be disrupted.

• The School Day
  Be punctual for work. Always arrive at least half an hour before school starts. If you’re running late, always keep the school and us informed. Be enthusiastic and positive! Schools will appreciate your fresh approach and adaptability. Join in and make an effort to get to know pupils and staff. Be prepared with your lesson plans following the schools schemes of work. Ensure you have enough material ‘up your sleeve’ to cater for all abilities within the class. Resources – click here for links to some useful resources. Safety and supervision requirements in schools – never touch a child and never leave a class unattended. Keep to the school’s policy on how to address staff – usually you should expect students to address you by your surname or Sir / Miss. Do not use the student toilets. Ensure the school’s Health and Safety policies are observed (especially when teaching a practical subject). Try not to get involved in ‘staffroom politics’. Try to remain tactful, sensitive and professional at all times – especially as the new person! The day is not over when the students finish for the day – you may be required to attend staff meetings, parents’ evenings, help out with extra-curricular activities…and that’s all before you start your marking and planning for the following day!

• Classroom Management
  Always check out the schools behaviour policy and follow this where ever possible. There will be times when you need to implement your own systems so ensure that you are clear with your expectations and consequences are clearly stated and sequential. The best way to stay on top of classroom management is to ensure that you are delivering well-planned, relevant, well-paced lessons which are appropriate to the learning needs of the students. Be consistent, confident and firm but fair. Always follow through appropriately and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance – this is not a sign of weakness. It is illegal in the UK to have any form of physical contact with students so please adhere to this at all times. Always keep a professional distance from children and never be left alone in a classroom with one child – ensure there is a third party at all times.

• Accidents and Emergencies
  Again, every school will have their own procedure so please make yourself aware of these but we recommend you record in writing any emergencies in your classroom or in the playground. Never leave your students unattended in the classroom in emergencies - always send a child to the office for support.

• Getting Paid
  Please ensure that you remember to complete your timesheet, have it signed by the school and send it to us at the end of each week. No signed timesheet, no pay :-(