Assistant Head Teacher interview questions and answers
Stepping into the role of Assistant Head Teacher is both an exciting and rewarding career move. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational direction, leadership culture, and student outcomes within a school. The Assistant Head Teacher works closely with the Head Teacher and senior leadership team to deliver strategic plans, manage staff, and inspire pupils. Day-to-day responsibilities can include curriculum development, safeguarding, staff appraisals, community engagement, and leading on whole-school initiatives.
In the UK, salaries for Assistant Head Teachers typically range between £42,000 and £65,000 per annum, depending on the size of the school, its location, and your level of experience. With such responsibility comes the challenge of a competitive interview process. That’s why preparing thoroughly for the types of questions you may be asked is critical. As your interview coach with over 25 years of experience, I, Jerry Frempong, will walk you through 25 fully explained interview questions and answers, supported by the STAR model where appropriate, to help you shine on the day.
1. Tell us about yourself and why you want this role
This is often the opening question. Keep your answer focused on your career journey, leadership experience, and passion for education.
Sample Answer:
“I’ve been teaching for over 12 years, with 5 of those in middle leadership as a Head of Department. My passion has always been developing both pupils and colleagues, which led me to mentor NQTs and lead curriculum projects. I want to take on the role of Assistant Head Teacher to contribute strategically to whole-school improvement and to create an environment where every child thrives.”
2. What do you understand about the role of an Assistant Head Teacher?
Here, interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research and appreciate the scope of responsibility.
Sample Answer:
“The Assistant Head Teacher provides operational and strategic leadership. That includes ensuring high teaching standards, supporting staff development, leading safeguarding initiatives, and helping the Head Teacher set and deliver the school vision. It’s a role that blends managerial oversight with inspirational leadership.”
3. Why do you want to work at our school?
Tailor your response to the ethos, values, Ofsted report, and achievements of the school.
Sample Answer:
“I admire how your school places equal emphasis on academic achievement and wellbeing. Having read your latest Ofsted report, I was struck by the emphasis on inclusivity and community engagement, and I would be proud to contribute to maintaining and furthering this success.”
4. How would you support and inspire teaching staff?
Demonstrate empathy, leadership, and coaching ability.
Sample Answer using STAR:
Situation: As Head of Department, I noticed morale was low after a poor Ofsted inspection.
Task: My goal was to re-engage and motivate staff.
Action: I held one-to-one coaching sessions, set up peer observations, and celebrated small wins regularly.
Result: Staff confidence grew, we improved lesson observations, and the department’s results increased by 12% in one year.
5. Describe your leadership style.
Show flexibility, adaptability, and people-centred leadership.
Sample Answer:
“My leadership style is collaborative but firm. I believe in involving staff in decision-making while also setting clear expectations. I use coaching conversations to support colleagues, while ensuring accountability remains high.”
6. How do you manage conflict among staff?
Conflict resolution is vital for any school leader.
Sample Answer:
“I take a proactive approach by listening carefully to both parties and ensuring they feel heard. I then look for common ground and encourage solutions that align with school values. I’ve successfully mediated disputes between staff members by facilitating structured conversations and setting clear follow-up actions.”
7. How do you prioritise safeguarding in your role?
Safeguarding is always a top priority in UK schools.
Sample Answer:
“I would ensure all safeguarding policies are consistently applied, staff are well-trained, and pupils feel safe reporting concerns. I have experience as a designated safeguarding lead, which included liaising with external agencies and ensuring record-keeping was thorough.”
8. How do you ensure high teaching and learning standards?
Sample Answer:
“By combining regular monitoring with supportive professional development. I use lesson observations, learning walks, and data analysis to identify areas of improvement. Then I provide targeted CPD, coaching, and share best practice examples.”
9. Can you give an example of driving whole-school improvement?
Sample Answer using STAR:
Situation: GCSE results in English were falling below national averages.
Task: I was tasked with improving outcomes.
Action: I led a literacy across the curriculum initiative, trained staff, and introduced weekly writing interventions.
Result: Within two years, English results improved by 15% and student confidence in writing increased significantly.
10. How do you engage parents and the wider community?
Sample Answer:
“I believe parents are partners in education. I’ve held workshops to help parents understand curriculum changes, used social media to share successes, and built relationships with local organisations to provide enrichment opportunities for pupils.”
11. How would you handle underperforming staff?
Sample Answer:
“I’d start with coaching and mentoring, setting clear targets, and offering resources. If performance did not improve, I’d follow school capability procedures fairly but firmly, always with the intention of helping staff improve first.”
12. What are your strengths as a leader?
Sample Answer:
“My strengths include communication, resilience, and the ability to inspire others. I’ve often been praised for my calmness under pressure and my ability to lead with integrity.”
13. What is your greatest weakness?
Sample Answer:
“I can sometimes take on too much responsibility myself rather than delegate. However, I’ve been actively improving by trusting others with greater autonomy and seeing positive results.”
14. How do you handle pressure and workload?
Sample Answer:
“I’m very organised, using tools to prioritise effectively. I also build strong teams so that responsibility is shared. I remind myself to focus on impact rather than perfection, which helps during busy periods.”
15. What do you know about our school improvement priorities?
Research their website and Ofsted report.
Sample Answer:
“Your improvement plan highlights strengthening numeracy and improving attendance. I’d support this by embedding numeracy strategies across the curriculum and developing initiatives to engage parents in raising attendance.”
16. How do you promote equality, diversity, and inclusion?
Sample Answer:
“I ensure lessons reflect diverse perspectives, policies are fair, and staff training includes unconscious bias awareness. At my current school, I led a diversity audit and introduced initiatives celebrating cultural awareness weeks.”
17. How do you balance strategic and operational responsibilities?
Sample Answer:
“I allocate time for both. For instance, I set aside weekly planning time for long-term strategy but remain flexible to address day-to-day issues. I use delegation effectively to free up space for vision-setting.”
18. Give an example of when you used data to improve outcomes.
Sample Answer using STAR:
Situation: Pupil progress in maths was stalling.
Task: Analyse data to identify patterns.
Action: I found boys’ progress lagged, introduced targeted small group sessions, and monitored closely.
Result: Boys’ progress improved by 20% over the year.”
19. How do you handle difficult conversations with parents?
Sample Answer:
“I approach with empathy and transparency. I ensure parents feel listened to while clearly communicating the school’s position. This builds trust, even during challenging discussions.”
20. How would you inspire students beyond academics?
Sample Answer:
“I’d champion extracurricular activities, leadership programmes, and community projects. I believe character development is as important as exam results.”
21. How do you support staff wellbeing?
Sample Answer:
“By promoting a culture of openness, encouraging manageable workloads, and celebrating staff achievements. At my current school, I introduced a wellbeing committee which reduced staff turnover.”
22. What’s your vision for education in the next 5 years?
Sample Answer:
“I see a more personalised, inclusive education that embraces technology but keeps relationships at the core. Schools must prepare pupils not only academically but socially and emotionally for the future.”
23. How do you prepare for Ofsted inspections?
Sample Answer:
“I ensure that policies and practices are embedded daily, not just for inspections. I support staff by conducting mock deep dives and ensuring evidence of impact is always up-to-date.”
24. Do you have any questions for us?
Always prepare thoughtful questions.
Examples:
“How does the school support leadership development for its senior staff?”
“What are the key priorities for the leadership team over the next 12 months?”
25. Why should we hire you?
Sample Answer:
“You should hire me because I bring a proven track record of raising standards, developing staff, and putting pupils at the heart of everything I do. I combine passion for education with the leadership experience needed to make a real impact.”
The STAR model explained
Remember: Situation – Task – Action – Result. Use this structure for competency-based questions to keep answers clear, concise, and impactful.
Do’s and Don’ts in an Assistant Head Teacher interview
Do: Prepare specific examples, research the school, and show enthusiasm.
Don’t: Speak negatively about past employers, waffle, or forget to highlight measurable impact.
Final encouragement and coaching advice
As your trusted interview coach, I want you to walk into your Assistant Head Teacher interview feeling confident and prepared. Remember, interviewers want you to succeed—they are looking for someone who inspires, leads, and aligns with their school values. Practise aloud, refine your STAR examples, and approach the day as an opportunity to showcase your skills and vision.
If you’d like tailored support, I highly recommend booking a session of interview training with me. With personalised interview coaching, we’ll refine your answers, build your confidence, and ensure you stand out as the right candidate. Take the next step in your leadership career today by working with an experienced interview coach who understands how to help you succeed.
Can you tell us about your experience in education and why you are interested in the role of Assistant Head Teacher? Sample Answer: “I have been working in education for the past 10 years, starting as a classroom teacher and progressing to leadership roles. I am passionate about fostering positive learning environments and supporting both students and staff members. The Assistant Head Teacher role appeals to me because it offers the opportunity to contribute to the overall success and development of the school community.”
How do you handle conflicts between teachers or between teachers and students? Sample Answer: “I believe in addressing conflicts proactively and constructively. When conflicts arise, I prefer to facilitate open communication and encourage all parties to express their perspectives. I aim to find common ground and work towards a resolution that prioritizes the well-being and success of everyone involved.”
How do you ensure effective collaboration among teachers and staff? Sample Answer: “I promote a culture of collaboration by fostering an environment where ideas are valued and teamwork is encouraged. I organize regular meetings and professional development opportunities where teachers can share best practices, collaborate on curriculum development, and support each other in achieving common goals.”
Describe a time when you implemented a successful educational initiative. Sample Answer: “In my previous role, I noticed a need for additional support for students struggling with reading comprehension. I implemented a targeted literacy intervention program that involved small-group instruction, differentiated learning activities, and regular progress monitoring. As a result, we saw significant improvements in student achievement and engagement.”
How do you stay updated on the latest educational trends and best practices? Sample Answer: “I stay updated by attending conferences, participating in professional development workshops, and reading educational research and literature. I also make use of online resources and networks to connect with other educators and exchange ideas.”
How do you support the professional development of teachers under your supervision? Sample Answer: “I believe in personalized professional development plans tailored to each teacher’s goals and needs. I provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and mentoring, and I encourage teachers to pursue opportunities for growth, such as attending workshops, earning certifications, or pursuing advanced degrees.”
What strategies do you use to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the school community? Sample Answer: “I believe in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students and staff feel valued and respected. I promote diversity through curriculum representation, cultural celebrations, and ongoing conversations about equity and social justice. I also work to identify and address any disparities in access to resources or opportunities.”
How do you handle challenges related to student behavior or discipline? Sample Answer: “I believe in a proactive and preventative approach to behavior management. I work closely with teachers to establish clear expectations and routines, and I implement positive behavior support strategies to encourage students to make positive choices. When disciplinary issues arise, I address them promptly and fairly, focusing on restorative practices whenever possible.”
Can you describe your approach to curriculum development and implementation? Sample Answer: “I believe in a collaborative and standards-based approach to curriculum development. I work closely with teachers to design engaging and rigorous instructional units that align with academic standards and meet the needs of diverse learners. I also prioritize ongoing assessment and reflection to ensure continuous improvement.”
How do you handle the challenges of managing administrative tasks while also supporting teachers and students? Sample Answer: “I believe in effective time management and delegation to balance administrative responsibilities with instructional leadership. I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact, and I delegate responsibilities to capable staff members whenever possible. I also make myself available to support teachers and students as needed, even if it means adjusting my schedule.”
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision as a school leader. How did you handle it? Sample Answer: “In my previous role, we faced budget cuts that required us to make difficult decisions about resource allocation. I facilitated a transparent and inclusive decision-making process that involved input from staff, parents, and community members. Although the decision was challenging, I ensured that it was made with careful consideration of the impact on students and the overall mission of the school.”
How do you handle feedback and criticism from parents or other stakeholders? Sample Answer: “I believe in being open and receptive to feedback from all stakeholders, including parents, students, and community members. I view feedback as an opportunity for growth and improvement, and I strive to address concerns constructively and collaboratively. I maintain open lines of communication and work to build trust and partnerships with all members of the school community.”
Can you describe a time when you successfully led a team through a period of change or transition? Sample Answer: “In my previous role, our school underwent a significant curriculum overhaul to align with new state standards. I led a team of teachers through the transition by providing clear guidance, professional development opportunities, and ongoing support. I ensured that teachers had the resources and training they needed to successfully implement the new curriculum, and I celebrated their successes along the way.”
How do you prioritize competing demands and manage your time effectively? Sample Answer: “I prioritize tasks based on their impact on student learning and the overall mission of the school. I use tools such as to-do lists, calendars, and time-blocking techniques to manage my time effectively and stay organized. I also delegate tasks when appropriate and focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout.”
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing education today, and how would you address them in the role of Assistant Head Teacher? Sample Answer: “I believe that one of the biggest challenges facing education today is ensuring equity and access for all students, particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities. In the role of Assistant Head Teacher, I would prioritize implementing strategies to address inequities in resources, opportunities, and outcomes. This may include advocating for policy changes, providing targeted support for at-risk students, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging in the school community.”
Are you ready to step up into a leadership role in education? Prepare to ace your Assistant Head Teacher interview with this must-have guide designed to make you stand out! Here’s what you’ll get:
Insider School Research Tips: Learn how to dig deeper than just the basics. Understand the ethos, achievements, and challenges of the school you’re applying to, so you can tailor your responses to make an impact.
Master the STAR Technique: Impress your interviewers with structured, compelling answers using the proven STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model—highlighting your experience in leadership, curriculum development, and problem-solving.
50+ Example Interview Questions and Model Answers: Cover all bases with over 50 real-world questions and expertly crafted STAR model answers. From managing conflict among staff to leading school improvement initiatives, you’ll be ready for anything.
Tailor-Made Portfolio Preparation: Learn how to create a standout portfolio showcasing your achievements, leadership experiences, and key contributions—perfectly aligned with the role you’re aiming for.
Professionalism From Start to Finish: Discover do’s and don’ts that ensure you leave a lasting, positive impression, from your outfit choice to your follow-up email.
Interview Practice Tips: Get practical advice on mock interviews, body language, and communication to help you stay confident and poised under pressure.
This guide is your blueprint for success. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to leadership, it will arm you with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to secure your dream job as an Assistant Head Teacher. Don’t leave your career to chance—invest in your future today!
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