Interviewing and selection

Use our downloadable interview record sheet to set out your questions and score candidates' responses when you're interviewing for school staff.

Know the rules and best practice for organising and running interviews for any role. Learn about who should sit on the panel, how to prepare your questions and how to stay compliant with discrimination law. Plus, see our safer recruitment tips for interviews.

You should seek references for volunteers to help check their suitability to volunteer in your school. Download our template reference request forms and get advice on what to do if it's difficult to get references.

Check that your procedures for getting references when hiring staff comply with statutory safeguarding guidance. Download our template reference request form and get advice on how long to keep copies of references for.

Download our template shortlisting grid to help you identify which candidates to invite for interview. Find out how to make sure your process is fair and that you shortlist the right people.

Download and adapt our template letters to inform candidates of an unsuccessful outcome during recruitment for a role at the shortlisting or interview stages.