25 Common SEN Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)
Landing a job can be challenging. If you are looking for a job in special education, the SEN interview will assess your skills, qualifications and suitability. In order to help you prepare, we have compiled a list of 25 common SEN interview questions. We will also provide tips on how to answer them effectively!
- Tell me about yourself. This is usually one of the first questions asked in an interview, and it can be challenging to know how to answer it. Give a brief overview of your qualifications and experience, and drop in some details about yourself that will help the interviewer get to know more about you. Keep your answer to under two minutes.
- Why are you interested in this position? This is your chance to sell yourself and explain why you would be the perfect fit for the job. Make sure to highlight your qualifications and experience, what attracts you to the role, as well as explaining your passion for special education.
- What do you know about special education? This question is designed to assess your level of understanding about SEND. Explain what you know about IEPs, the services available for students with disabilities, and how best to work with students with special needs.
- How would you work with a student who has ADHD or ASD? Explain the strategies you would use in the classroom, such as providing clear instructions, breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and using visual aids.
- How would you deal with a parent who is angry and upset? The interviewer will be looking here for your ability to deal with difficult situations. Explain how you would diffuse a situation, listen to the parent's concerns, and work together to find a solution.
- What do you think are the essential qualities for a special education teacher? This is a very opinion based question and you should answer openly. State the qualities you believe are critical to be a successful special education teacher. You could explain why you think patience, creativity, and dedication are crucial to the job.
- Do you have any questions? This is your opportunity to ask questions about the position, the school, or anything else you want to know. Make sure to ask thoughtful questions that show your interest in the job.
- What are your thoughts on inclusion? Be honest about your views on inclusion and whether you think it benefits students with disabilities. You could bring in examples of how you would work with students in an inclusive classroom.
- How do you handle a situation when you don't know the answer to a question? This is to hone-in on your problem-solving skills. Explain how you would research the answer, ask for help, or come up with a plan B.
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing special education teachers today? A real test of your wider knowledge! Answers could include; why you think teacher retention is a challenge, the impact of budget cuts on special education programs, and how to best support students with disabilities.
- What would you do if a student was refusing to work? An exploration of how you would handle difficult situations in the classroom. Provide examples of situations where you have successfully dealt children who have refused to do their work. Perhaps include details about how you would get the student back on track, such as providing encouragement, setting clear expectations, and using positive reinforcement.
- What do you think is the most important quality to be a teacher? Be open and honest with your answer. For example, explain why you think empathy, kindness, and flexibility are necessary for this job.
- What do you think are the most important qualities for a student's success? This question is designed to assess your understanding of the critical qualities of a successful student. You could provide details about why you think self-confidence, grit, and curiosity are essential for success in school.
- Do you have any experience working with students with special needs? If yes, explain what type of experience you have. If not, explain how you would be willing to work with special needs students and the learning journey you would need to take.
- How do you deal with stress? As mental health and wellbeing is being prioritised more and more by Senior Leaders in schools, provide details about how you would decompress after a long day, ways that you stay organised and calm during stressful situations, and how you would handle a difficult situation.
- How do you build relationships with students? Building a rapport with students is imperative when supporting them to achieve their goals. Explain how you would get to know your students, what types of activities you would do together, and how you would handle a difficult student.
- What do you think is the best way to help a student who is struggling? You could use a case study approach to answer this question and structure it to include your approach to identifying a struggling student, what types of interventions you would use, and how you would monitor the student's progress.
- How do you deal with parents? Relationships between SEN educators and parents / carers need to be tight and transparent so that the child receives a joined up learning journey whilst at home and in school. Explain how you would communicate with parents, what type of information you would share with them, and how you would handle a situation when parents are unhappy with their child's progress.
- What do you think is the best way to discipline students? Feel confident when sharing your discipline strategy and use past experiences to explain how you would deal with a student who was not following classroom rules, what type of consequences you would use, and how you would make sure the student understood why the rules are important.
- What advice would you give to a new SEN educator in the school? Showing support to new staff members is often a school's priorrity, to make them feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment. Provide information about how you would help a new teacher or teaching assistant get started in the classroom, how you would develop their skills, and what resources you would recommend.
- How much do you know about the school? A question designed to assess your readiness for the interview. Talk about what you know already and ask about the school's mission and values on special education, the type of support that is available for teachers and teaching assistants, and what the expectations are for the position.
- How would you contribute to making the school a safer environment for children? Refer to your knowledge of safeguarding and how you would maintain a safe and secure environment in the classroom, what type of procedures you would put in place, and how you would respond to an incident. Draw on previous experience to provide an evidence-based answer.
- What signs of abuse/radicalisation should we be especially mindful of with our pupils? This question is designed to assess your understanding of how to identify signs of abuse and radicalisation in students. Explain what you would look for in a student, how you would report any concerns, and what type of support is available for teachers.
- The importance of teamwork in the classroom? The interviewer is looking to assess how much of a team player your are. You could explain how you would work with other teachers in the school, what type of support you would need, and how you would handle a situation when there is disagreement among the staff. Provide scenario-based evidence where possible to support your answer.
- How would you help promote a positive learning environment in the classroom? Students thrive when in a positive learning environment, so explain how to implement this in a real-life situation, how you would create a positive atmosphere in the classroom, what type of activities you would do together, and how you would handle a student who was not following classroom rules.
You may feel nervous and anxious when attending an interview, but with some preparation and research, you'll feel better equipped to deliver your best performance and hopefully secure your dream job.
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Article updated Feb 2024.