What are the most common private school interview questions?
Here are some of the most common questions your child might be asked in their interview. No matter what question your child is asked, they should consider specific examples to help them structure their answers.
- What is your favourite subject and why?
- What is your least favourite subject and why?
- What accomplishment (or personal achievement) are you most proud of?
- What extracurricular activities are you interested in?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- How do you contribute to your community?
- What book are you currently reading, or what is the last book you read?
- Do you have any questions about our school?
Top tips for private school interviews
Practise communication skills
As with any interview, politeness and manners are a must. The school will be looking for children who are well-behaved, can get on with others, and will be a pleasure to teach. Your child should treat the interviewer as they would a teacher or a friend's parent. Saying please and thank you, and remembering to shake hands, can help create a positive first impression.
It's natural to feel nervous about the interview (particularly at 10 years old) and the interviewer will expect this. However, it's important that your child engages with their questions. The interviewer needs to get detailed answers from your child to learn more about them and decide whether the school would be the right fit for them.
Pay attention to presentation
First impressions are important. How your child presents themselves will play a part in the interviewer's decision.
Body language is key. Your child should remember to make eye contact, sit upright, and avoid fidgeting. Positive body language indicates confidence (even if your child isn't feeling very confident) and shows that they're alert and interested. This is a good indication that your child will behave well in the classroom.
Most school interviews don't have a dress code. If your child does need to wear their current uniform, you'll be told in advance. However, even if they can wear their 'normal' clothes, choose their outfit wisely. Smart, clean clothes, washed and brushed hair, and non-scruffy shoes help to make a good first impression.
Prepare questions for the interviewer
At the end of the interview, the interviewer might ask your child if they have any questions.
This is a great opportunity for your child to find out more details about the school. The interviewer will also be looking to see if your child is excited about what the school has to offer. Children who demonstrate an interest in the school by asking questions are more likely to be engaged and active in school life. These are the sorts of children schools are usually looking for!
Before the interview, go through the school website and marketing materials with your child. Let them navigate and flick to pages that interest them most. If there's something about school life that interests them, or if they can't find something they're looking for, they can ask the interviewer for more information.
Read regularly and widely
It's vital your child keeps reading. Their reading material should be varied, age-appropriate, and cover material beyond school-assigned reading. The school won't expect your child to have read all of Shakespeare, but making sure they've read some classic children's books is a good start.
Make sure your child is up to date with current affairs too. We recommend supervised reading of the news and of child-friendly journalism, such as The Week Junior. Engage your child in discussions about the news. Be prepared to explain what's happening and encourage your child to draw their own conclusions.
Looking for reading inspiration? Check out our Key Stage 2 reading list.
Interview FAQs
Find answers to some frequently asked questions about school interviews.
When will my child be interviewed?
The timing of your child’s interview will depend on the school admissions process.
Some schools only interview shortlisted children. These are children who have performed well in the entrance exam. If your child is shortlisted, they might be interviewed in January in the year of entry.
Other schools interview all candidates to try and create a fair and personable experience. If your child's target school interviews everyone who applies, the interview might be held any time from November to January.
Who will interview my child?
If your child is applying to a small school, they might be interviewed by the head themselves. In larger schools, it's more common to be interviewed by a senior member of staff (e.g. a deputy headteacher, or head of Year 7) or an admissions officer.
How long does the interview last?
Private school interviews usually last around 15–20 minutes.
Will I also be interviewed with my child?
It's not common for parents to be interviewed as part of the school admissions process.
However, there are some exceptions. If you're applying to a faith school or a school that has a particularly family-orientated ethos, you might have a parent interview. This is usually to see whether your values align with the school's, and to make sure that you'll support its aims and ethos.
