interview workshops -
PREP SCHOOLS
Are your Year 6 pupils strong academically but nervous about Senior school interviews and group tasks?
Our interview workshops are specifically designed to:
develop speaking confidence and give students authentic practise in speaking on the spot and coming across as a unique, independent human being, rather than a drilled robot!
overcome awkwardness about advocating for themselves
leave pupils with a memorable set of strategies for problem-solving and group tasks
Our interview workshop days combine our novel “Interview Wheel” approach (that puts children in the position of both interviewer and interviewee) with extensive opportunities to hone their problem-solving and collaborative communication skills.
Watching the children “grow” throughout the day was incredible. The range of activities ensured that all our children were engaged, regardless of physical or mental ability. Stepping out of comfort zones was huge for some of our class but the way the activities were arranged and delivered ensured success for all. Our loudest, more confident listened, whilst our less confident and more reserved spoke. It was marvellous to see this beyond the classroom setting and with limited adult input. The task ensured that there were opportunities for all to shine.
Alex, Tom and their team were absolutely brilliant with our children. Their enthusiasm, encouragement and supportive manner ensured a marvellous opportunity for us all.
Bridget Kaal, Year 6 Teacher, Goffs Oak Primary School
Our Year 6 boys were given a special opportunity this week to participate in a workshop provided by a company called Hidden Leaders. The boys worked together in groups to solve riddles, have debates and plan strategies to overcome different challenges. The collaborative task activities were extremely rewarding to see how many of the boys enjoyed and actively engaged throughout the day. As a result, we saw a significant leap in them developing higher level thinking skills, confidence and collaborative working. What a great experience and it will be invaluable for those boys doing similar tasks as part of their 11+ entrance!
Rob Ashbrook, Head of Year 6, Loyola Prep School
Develop confident, authentic speakers
Through our special “Interview Wheel” format, students get crucial experience of being both the interviewer and the interviewee, and so get given plenty of opportunities to practise and develop their answers in a low-stakes, supportive environment of their peers.
Highly interactive and practical
Students take away:
Strategies for collaborative communication in the group tasks
New ways to approach problem-solving challenges
The 123 method for practising and perfecting an answer
Self-coaching techniques to help yourself when under pressure
Delivered by experts
Each session is led by our expert facilitators, Tom and Alex, who have not only been sat on both sides of the interview table more times than they care to remember, but have spent the last 15 years helping young people find their voice through simple, effective strategies.
Child A - "The workshops were a really fun experience. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and it was a pleasure to be a part of day. The best part was the riddle activity competing against other teams even though we didn't win."
Child B - "The workshops were very interactive. Tom the instructor taught us strategies on how to debate effecitvley and that listening is such an integral part of communication that we all undervalue at times."
Child C "I enjoyed the workshops because it taught me some additional communication and teamwork skills. It was such an amazing day that all the boys in Ruds had a fabulous time."
Year 6, Prep School, Essex
FAQs
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Every Interview Wheel day we do is different, so there are no off-the-shelf timings. If you are one- or two-form entry, then we'll work with the children for most of the day. Yet if you have multiple classes, then we might run shorter sessions to make sure we still see everyone.
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Once a date has been agreed and the day has been booked, there's relatively little for you to do besides organising the schedule and the spaces for the day, and also providing us with any SEND or medical information that would be relevant for us.
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We run each session, and we are highly experienced teachers and educators, so we don't tend to need any help with discipline or classroom management!
We would love to welcome as many school staff as possible to the day to observe the sessions for their own CPD. However, we understand that releasing staff from their busy teaching timetables is difficult. For safeguarding reasons there will always need to be a member of school staff on hand to support on more pastoral matters.
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Yes, we travel all over the UK, Europe, and the world, so if you're in the UK, you are relatively local to us!
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Just contact us via the contact form below to start a conversation, and we'll get back to you within a day. We usually suggest a phone call so we can learn more about your school and your pupils, so we can suggest a schedule that will suit you the best.
Tom and his team were skilful and engaging, the activities were well-crafted, and the organisation and communication were excellent. The staff thought it was very well-run and engaging, and the students really enjoyed it. It was superb for helping students get to know each other, work well together and think critically. Thank you and we’d love to have you back next year!
Sarah Elliot, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning and Staff Development), Streatham and Clapham School
Interested in this day?
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within a day.
Alternatively, call us:
01245 830123
Or schedule a 15-minute call with Tom, our Co-Founder and Co-Director!