Cracking the Independent School Interview: What Parents Need to Know This Autumn

ukindepschool
Sep 24
4 min read

Autumn marks the start of interview season for UK independent schools, a time when pupils and parents alike may feel both excitement and nerves. For many families, this stage can feel like a decisive moment in admissions. In reality, interviews are designed less as an interrogation and more as an opportunity for schools to see the whole child.

From my experience working with families, schools want to know more than whether a child is clever—they want to understand who they are, how they learn, and how they might fit into the school community.

🎯 Why Schools Hold Interviews

The interview process allows schools to:

Understand personality – Is the child curious, confident, thoughtful?
See potential – Do they have resilience, imagination, and enthusiasm for learning?
Assess fit – Does the child’s character align with the values of the school?

🏫 What Happens on Interview Day?

Every school has its own style. Some keep interviews short and conversational, while others create a more immersive “assessment day.”

For example, at some boarding schools, a candidate’s day might include:

A one-to-one conversation with a Housemaster or senior staff member – exploring pastoral aspects such as hobbies, family background, and friendships.
An academic interview – discussing books, problem-solving, or recent work.
A collaborative group activity – to observe teamwork and leadership.
Social time with current pupils – such as lunch, which allows staff to see how candidates interact informally.
Parent conversations with staff – many schools host lunch or refreshments so families feel part of the process.

This kind of structure allows schools to see a child in different lights: formal, academic, and social.

📝 Preparation Before the Day

Some schools also ask for advance preparation. Parents might be asked to:

Support their child in completing a short questionnaire about themselves.
Help them choose a piece of work they’re most proud of—perhaps a project, essay, or creative piece.
Ensure they bring along current exercise books in subjects like English and Maths.
Make sure they wear smart clothing or school uniform to present themselves neatly.

These requests are not about perfection—they’re about authenticity and showing pride in effort.

🎤 What the Interview is Really About

Parents sometimes imagine interviews as a knowledge test, but schools are not looking for the “right” answer. Instead, they want to see:

How a child thinks out loud.
Whether they can hold a natural conversation.
Their ability to reflect on experiences and interests.

⚖️ The Risk of Overtutoring

One of the biggest mistakes is over-preparing answers. When a child sounds like they are reciting a script, schools quickly notice. This can make them seem less confident, not more.

It feels unnatural – rehearsed lines lack warmth and spontaneity.
It limits flexibility – children may freeze if the question is worded differently.
It hides personality – schools want to meet your child, not a polished performance.

The best preparation is gentle guidance and conversation practice, not drilling.

📝 Sample Questions and Natural Responses

Here are a few examples of common interview questions, with what schools are listening for:

Q: What’s your favourite subject at school, and why?

❌ Over-rehearsed: “I love Maths because it is logical and helps me in everyday life.”
✅ Natural: “I like Maths because I enjoy solving puzzles. Last week we did a problem that took me a while to figure out, but when I finally did it, I felt proud.”

Q: Tell me about something you’re proud of.

❌ Over-rehearsed: “I am proud of my exam results because they were good.”
✅ Natural: “I’m proud of a history project I did on Ancient Egypt. I built a model pyramid and learned how ramps worked. It was fun to research and share with my class.”

Q: How would you describe a good friend?

❌ Over-rehearsed: “A good friend is someone kind and helpful.”
✅ Natural: “I think a good friend is someone who listens. Last year I was nervous about a football match, and my friend helped me practise. That made me feel more confident.”

👉 The difference? Personal stories bring answers alive. They show reflection, not memorisation.

💡 How Parents Can Support Preparation

Encourage conversation at home – Ask open-ended questions at dinner or on walks.
Boost storytelling skills – Have your child describe events or projects in detail.
Model body language – Eye contact, smiling, and clear speech make a big difference.
Avoid scripts – Guide them to think for themselves instead of memorising lines.

🌟 The Bigger Picture

Ultimately, interview days are about seeing the child as a whole person. Whether they’re sharing a story about their favourite book, working with peers on a group task, or proudly showing a piece of schoolwork, schools are looking for authentic enthusiasm and character.

Nerves are normal—but with the right preparation, your child can step into the interview feeling confident, curious, and ready to shine.

👉 If you’d like tailored support for your child’s upcoming interview, I offer one-to-one sessions to help children practise conversational skills, build confidence, and highlight their unique strengths.