Head of Department Interview Question

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Doctor
Posts: 98
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 1:28 am

Head of Department Interview Question

Post by Doctor »

The school I'm going to next year wants to interview me for the HOD position, which is a completely new experience.

Any ideas on what questions they might ask me?
teacher tan
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 8:49 am

Re: Head of Department Interview Questions

Post by teacher tan »

You can expect questions on the following:
1. teaching vs. managing faculty
2. Addressing parental complaints about one of your teachers
3. Supporting new and struggling teachers
4. Your organizational skills
5. Delegating work, bringing people together, and dealing with rebels
6. Scheduling and explaining rationale behind assigning subjects to teachers
7. Curriculum - horizontal and vertical alignment, establishing cross-curricular links, trans-disciplinary skills, knowledge vs. skills debate etc.
8. Strategies for the department transition from good to great
9. Plan B- when things don't work as planned
10. Safety issues, technician training if you are a science department head

P.S. Been HoD at two elite schools for a decade.
Doctor
Posts: 98
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 1:28 am

Re: Head of Department Interview Question

Post by Doctor »

teacher tan wrote:
> You can expect questions on the following:
> 1. teaching vs. managing faculty
> 2. Addressing parental complaints about one of your teachers
> 3. Supporting new and struggling teachers
> 4. Your organizational skills
> 5. Delegating work, bringing people together, and dealing with rebels
> 6. Scheduling and explaining rationale behind assigning subjects to teachers
> 7. Curriculum - horizontal and vertical alignment, establishing cross-curricular
> links, trans-disciplinary skills, knowledge vs. skills debate etc.
> 8. Strategies for the department transition from good to great
> 9. Plan B- when things don't work as planned
> 10. Safety issues, technician training if you are a science department head
>
> P.S. Been HoD at two elite schools for a decade.

Thank you Teacher Tan - this is good stuff.
shadowjack
Posts: 2140
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am

Re: Head of Department Interview Question

Post by shadowjack »

TT - can't think of anything really that your list doesn't hit! Nice list in one place :-) Popcorn? Done in a pot with a hole that the hair dryer gets stuck in to heat it all...
PsyGuy
Posts: 10849
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Response

Post by PsyGuy »

I endorse the list supplied by @teacher tan, and add the following:

A) Management Philosophy
B) Communication Style
C) Budgeting Skills and Approach
Illiane_Blues

Re: Head of Department Interview Question

Post by Illiane_Blues »

That's a great list TT, and some good additions as well PsyGuy.
I've passed it on to a friend and colleague of mine who is up for a HoD job interview, and she made me promise to thank you.
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