GovernorHub Knowledge logo

Headteacher: interview questions and tasks

Select from our recommended interview questions and tasks to make sure you cover everything you need to and put candidates' skills to the test effectively. Plus, get clarity on what you can't ask, to keep your process fair and compliant.

Last reviewed on 1 December 2023
School types: All•School phases: Primary•Ref: 3457
Contents
  1. Use the interview stage to check candidate fit
  2. How to use our list of questions 
  3. Download and adapt our example tasks 
  4. Prepare for the process with our suite of content on headteacher recruitment 

Use the interview stage to check candidate fit

By the time you get to the interview stage, you’ll have already confirmed the candidates’ competencies through their:

  • Application form and CV
  • References
  • Interview tasks

The interview is your chance to make sure they’re the right leader for your school.

How to use our list of questions 

Our questions are suitable for any headteacher post, and include tips on what to look for in a candidate's answers.

In the download, you'll find:

  • General questions for any school type
  • Tailored questions for primary, secondary, special and faith schools 

Be sure to adapt our example questions so they're specific to the role you're recruiting for, your school and any issues your school is facing  Don’t treat our ‘what to look for’ column as a checklist – candidates' answers will vary based on their experiences Don’t plan to ask all of these questions in each interview – choose those that are more