There
were three other candidates, all doing their PGCE but none of them was from my
university. It was a bit strange sitting in the staff room with the competition
especially when they realised that this was “my” school.
We
drew numbers out of a hat for the order in which we did the observed lesson. I
drew number 4 which meant I was last to perform but it also meant that I was
teaching a group of year 12 students whom I know. I thought the lesson went
well, I managed to use all the different teaching and learning techniques that
my mentor (and Mum and Dad!) had taught me and the feedback I was given at the
end confirmed my optimism.
There
were 4 people on the interview panel – the Head Teacher, the Head of Science,
the Vice-Chair of Governors (the man from the quiz) and the long-term link
governor for science who I hadn’t met before but who had known my Mum. I used
every scrap of interview technique knowledge that Mum and Dad had ever shared
with me and I left the interview room knowing that I hadn’t made a fool of
myself. I think I had a pre-prepared answer for all of the questions including
the old favourite, “What are the characteristics of an outstanding lesson?”
The
other candidates had been given the option of going home and being phoned with
the result but they had all decided to stay. I don’t think they were too
shocked when after about 20 minutes I was called out of the staff room to be
offered the job. Naturally I said “yes please” – of course the job offer depends upon me passing the PGCE but the head teacher strongly implied that wasn’t going to be a problem!
The other applicants had all left by the time I had finished the paperwork so I never got to see them again. I expect they were all muttering about the internal candidate getting the job.
I
think Mum and Dad, wherever they are, would be pleased with my days work!
