Phew! Exams are over and as we enter January and begin the new year, we wait with nervous excitement and even trepidation to hear if our children have been successful. If they have, there’ll be interviews to put in the diary.
If your children are at that critical age where they're applying to schools, this time of year can be fraught. Once entrance exams are over it can come as a relief, but there's one more thing to focus on, and that's the entrance interview.
Whilst getting through the exams was an achievement, the interview represents another obstacle to surpass, and one possibly even more difficult and competitive than the last. Indeed, in many schools, this is the most important part of the admissions process. Hopefully, I can give you and your child the tools for preparation and peace of mind necessary to get through the interview period panic-free.
The purpose of the interview is to see if your child is a good fit for the school, academically and socially, and if they exhibit the types of behaviour that said school expects from its pupils. Every school is different, and exactly what these desired behaviours are certainly varies across the board. Is the school traditional or modern? Does it particularly value sports, music or academics? And how will your child’s particular talents develop there? The answers to such questions are not always the same.
It is for this reason, whether your child is going for a local day school or a boarding school with an international reputation, that I always advise that you do a little extra homework and get a feel for the school—its achievements, subjects, strengths and facilities—before the big interview day. Look at the website, pay a visit to the school or get in touch with someone who attends it.
Formal interviews are always an alien and intimidating prospect for our young children, but having an understanding of what’s expected will help your child take the edge of their nerves and give a better account of themselves on the day.
Having said that, the principal reasons for interviewing are the same irrespective of school, and interviews tend to follow a generic format. This begins with easy questions about their favourite subjects, hobbies and interests, then moves to academic ones, which can range from simple discussion to oral maths, comprehension or reasoning-based questions.
The interviewer’s aim is not only to ascertain the child’s intellectual strengths and weaknesses, but to gain an insight into their thinking processes and, on a more fundamental level, their personality.
In fact, this works both ways — the school also needs to make sure that it’s able to provide your child with the education they need and provide them with support throughout their school career.
If your child happens to be rather nervous for the big day, and many quite naturally do experience a sense of dread, then please be prepared to explain to them that a little nerves are a good thing. They show that we care and help us rise to big occasions. To make them feel better, tell them that this is no different to when a relative or family friend enquires about their new school, the book they’re reading, or how their hobby is developing.
Express how proud you are of them. It is important that they feel optimistic whatever the outcome, and ready for their next steps.
Keep calm and enjoy.
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