Interview Questions to Ask a Teacher Candidate
Questions that surface real evidence of classroom impact and curriculum ownership, not just years in the role — plus what to actually listen for in the answer, not just whether they say the right buzzwords.
1. How would you plan a lesson for a class where half the pupils are ahead and half are struggling with the same topic?
What to listen for: Look for clear learning objectives, differentiated tasks, quick checks for understanding during the lesson, and a plan to adjust without lowering expectations for anyone.
2. A normally quiet pupil arrives with a bruise and avoids questions. What are your next steps?
What to listen for: A strong answer follows the school safeguarding procedure, records facts without questioning leadingly, informs the designated lead promptly, and does not promise secrecy.
3. Explain how you handle a parent who disagrees strongly with a grade you gave.
What to listen for: Candidates should show calm listening, evidence from marking criteria, willingness to review, and agreement on next steps while keeping the relationship professional.
4. When marking is piling up and a lesson needs preparing, how do you decide what gets your time?
What to listen for: Good answers weigh impact on learning, deadlines, feedback that actually changes pupil work, and honest admission that some tasks are done quickly or shared.
5. What would you do in your first 30 days in this teacher role?
What to listen for: Whether their plan is grounded in the role's actual must-haves (curriculum development and differentiated instruction) or generic ("get to know the team"). Specificity here signals real understanding of the job, not just interview prep.
6. Why are you leaving your current role, and why this one specifically?
What to listen for: Forward-looking motivation tied to something concrete about this role, versus badmouthing a past employer or vague dissatisfaction. Watch for whether their reasons actually match what this role offers.
A warning sign in this interview
Describing pupils who struggle as lazy or difficult, with no mention of adapting the teaching, checking understanding or involving support staff.
What to look for on the CV before the interview
Evidence of improved student outcomes and the age group and subject taught.
Confirm before you make an offer
A teaching licence or qualification recognised where you hire, and the child-safeguarding checks your region requires.
People who may apply under another title
This job is also called Classroom Teacher, Primary Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Instructor. A candidate with one of those titles can be a strong match, so ask the same questions and judge the answers, not the title.
Frequently asked questions
How many of these questions should I ask in one interview?
3-4 is realistic for a 30-45 minute interview once you leave room for follow-ups and the candidate's own questions. Divide competencies across panel members rather than every interviewer asking all of them — see the Interview Scorecard tool for a structured version of this.
How is this different from the Interview Scorecard tool?
This page is a generic starting point for the teacher role. The tool generates a full panel-ready kit — competency-grouped questions, a 1-5 rating rubric, and strong/weak answer examples — tailored to your actual job description and competencies.
What is a red flag when interviewing a teacher?
Describing pupils who struggle as lazy or difficult, with no mention of adapting the teaching, checking understanding or involving support staff.
What should I confirm before offering a teacher the job?
A teaching licence or qualification recognised where you hire, and the child-safeguarding checks your region requires.
Hiring a teacher? The rest of the toolkit
- How to write the job description →
Titles, must-haves, credentials and a starting posting.
- Search strings to find candidates →
Five searches from broad to narrow, with exclusions.
- Run the whole hire in one place →
Jobs, CV review, interviews, offers and checks together.