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.

Last reviewed on 4 May 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 36120
Contents
  1. How headship interviews differ
  2. Reflect on your experience
  3. Prepare for common questions and tasks 
  4. Do your research 

How headship interviews differ

Headship interviews are different from interviews for other positions because:

  • They are led by the governing board, not the headteacher
  • They are likely to involve a multi-stage process, including tasks and an interview

Reflect on your experience

Think about how you can demonstrate your experience in the different areas required by the role. The interview panel will want to hear evidence that you can do the job, so make a list of tangible examples that you can draw on in the interview. 

Think about both:

Areas you have experience in, and...

Think about your strengths, and make a list of what you're most proud of in your career. This will help you to:

  • Share clear examples of your experience and success
  • Reduce anxiety before the interview
  • Help your passion shine through

...areas you have less experience in

If your leadership experience has been primarily academic (subject leadership or