The interview wheel
How can you make sure students are not only ready for their upcoming interviews, but stand out?
How can you help them become natural, fearless speakers who can think on their feet, rather than just be trained to give standard answers?
And how can you help them enjoy the preparation experience?
The Interview Wheel is a 90 minute workshop that:
builds students’ confidence to give organic, free-flowing answers to the most common interview questions through practical activities
demystifies what questions are really asking by putting everyone in the position of interviewer, as well as interviewee
guides students to find the most relevant examples to support their answers
3 reasons to choose the interview wheel workshop
Reason 1: Strategies built on extensive evidence and experience
Reason 2: Run by us - and we’ve lots of experience!
Can they defuse the radioactive bomb before it’s too late
Can they Build a structure to traverse the croc-infested swamp?
Devise a plan to make their very own jailbreak!
Reason 3: Trusted by teachers
New friendships through problem-solving together
Each team chooses a name, a chant and a motto
Our days have a real legacy: bonds, memories and skills
Bonus reason: Low cost and easy to organise
Can they defuse the radioactive bomb before it’s too late
Can they Build a structure to traverse the croc-infested swamp?
Devise a plan to make their very own jailbreak!
“When you’re trying to organise something, it’s incredibly important to have a company you can rely on.”
Alex Curtis, The Cottesloe School
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
Who is running your workshop?
Tom Bigglestone
Following a degree in philosophy, and a PGCE in Religious Studies, both at Durham University, Tom has been head of humanities at several schools, teaching more subjects than he cares to remember. He has also been a member of the senior academic management team at a London independent school and was co-ordinator for the more able.
In more recent years Tom has made a career training teachers in Philosophy for Children, critical thinking and classroom oracy. In April 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Walter Hines-Page Scholarship by the English Speaking Union. Tom has had articles published in leading headteachers' publications, and his advice was used by the UK government to help schools talk to children about the war in Ukraine.
Tom has co-authored three books to date, including Thinking Moves A-Z — a game-changing approach to metacognition written with Roger Sutcliffe and Jason Buckley. He has also worked at the Economist Educational Foundation, supporting schools to develop students' news literacy.
In Tom’s spare time, he can usually be found engaging in sport or training for some kind of endurance event, or writing his debut children's novel.
Alex Bryant has supported thousands of young people to thrive and develop in the natural environment. Starting his career in East Sussex, Alex worked for an outdoor education charity taking children and young people climbing, canoeing, on woodland adventure walks and learning team skills. He also specialised in supporting young people from deprived backgrounds in London, accessing the countryside and upland locations for adventurous weekends away.
Alex then co-ordinated the Duke of Edinburgh Award at his next school, and this valuable experience led to his appointment as operations manager at outdoor education company Outspark.
Away from work, Alex enjoys country walks with his wife and dog, Bence, along the South Downs, plays golf and travels. Alex has had the pleasure of visiting Peru, New Zealand, Europe and Vietnam. And this spirit of adventure shines through whilst working with young people for Hidden Leaders.
The LOtC Quality Badge is the only national award assessing both the quality of risk management and educational provision across all types of learning outside the classroom providers.
Using a provider of LOtC who holds the LOtC Quality Badge gives you peace of mind that they have been assessed for their quality of risk management and their education. LOtC Quality Badge holders all have to meet a set of Quality Indicators.
“Tom and his colleagues delivering the event were completely professional, accommodating and entirely engaging of the young people when facilitating their session during my assessment. Their approach was open and friendly yet challenging of the young people in such a way that they were encouraged and enticed to develop the ideas, tasks and themes set for them, that all goals were achieved, and in some cases exceeded. Tom’s ability to cross reference and pollinate aspects of his philosophy background to inform his delivery, also shone through.” LOtC in-person assessor.
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
What we do
Listen to your aims and goals for your day(s)
Put together a proposal for you to review
Make changes based on your feedback
Arrange a date that’s convenient for Tom, Alex and the school
Liaise with you about setting the space up
Arrive the day before to set up resources
Deliver all activities on the day
Provide prizes and rewards for effort and engagement
Leave your room looking exactly as it did
Leave you a set of activities and resources to keep up the momentum and develop staff CPD
All you need to do
Send us any relevant student info we need to know (medical/
Arrange the timetable for teaching staff (they just need to be on hand for pastoral issues)
Sit back and watch!
FAQs
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Usually, yes. We understand that one of the largest costs for an offsite school experience is the transport needed to get there.
Therefore, we transform your school and its facilities into your very own outdoor learning environment.
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Summer bookings: where possible everything will happen outdoors if the space at your school allows. We may ask to reserve an indoor space for inclement weather .
Autumn and Spring: whilst we will aim to facilitate as many activities as possible outside it is likely that we will look to use a school hall/ gym or classroom for some of our thinking and problem-solving sessions.
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We would love to welcome as many school staff as possible to the day to support the students and get involved in some of the activities. However, we understand that releasing staff from their busy teaching timetables is difficult. Our facilitators will run all sessions, so we will just need some school staff on hand to support on more pastoral matters and supervise during any breaks.
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These days are predominantly delivered in the south and east of England. If your school is further afield then please do continue to get in touch and we look into it further
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!