It is YOUR supporting guidance that can so help your child in approaching senior school interviews with calm and very genuine self assurance.
Perhaps you have had interview experience yourself and can talk about that with your child? What were the questions that YOU reflected upon prior to meeting with the interviewing organisation? How did YOU ensure that you were properly prepared?
Sitting alongside your child and curiously learning more about the interviewing school via their website and prospectuses – all the while pointing out aspects of that school that matter to your child – helps your child to get to know the schools better and to form in his or her mind as to why this school would be a great place to attend.
Reassure your child that this interview is not the first. Your child will have met so many adults who have been interested in his or her life and asked questions accordingly. Help your child in seeing this and remind them that interviews are just conversations, chats, but more formal.
Reassure your child too that you are supporting them all the way. Be the guide in the process. Ensure your child knows when each interview is and with what school. Be upbeat about EACH school – have a few TOP options. Being granted places in schools is far from being a ‘scientific’ process – one never quite knows what a senior school is looking for and who they offer places too, hence see the good in all options. Here there needs to be an element of trust in the process too.
Have some interesting conversations with your child about their current school life and what makes them happy. Imagine that you were the head of a school – what would interest you in prospective pupils?
Tell me about your best lesson today?
What have you most enjoyed learning about?
What kind of clubs would you want to join?
What is the most fun thing that you look forward to doing when not at school?
Your child may well need prompts from you to remember all the activities they have been involved in whilst at Prep School. If you have kept any certificates or interesting school reports, let them have a look at them. Also, chat to them about their interests and ideas, with a listening and accepting ear.
And, notice for yourself (and tell them) the qualities that you see in them. Children do not always acknowledge or recognise their strengths. Tell them. And allow your child to be who he or she is. Whether more introverted and quiet, or garrulous and an extrovert – this is a part of your child. The interviewing school will be reading reports and testimonials about your child too – and they understand that interviews can trigger nerves. Trust them to take care of your child and to make an effort to help them if needed.
Even if they so not really respond to your gentle and interested questions, they will have heard them and I assure you they would be answering them for themselves in their own minds!
Trust that the interviewing school is an expert on children. It is their job to bring out the best in your child. With this, a GENUINE child is who they are wanting to meet.
Make sure that YOU know the exact time and date and place of the interview. Plan to arrive in easy time so that the journey is enjoyable. WHO are you meeting with too is helpful to know.
Also, what does your child need to take with him or her for the interview? Stationery? A favourite object to talk about? A copy of the school report or CV?
YOU being relaxed and happy helps your child to take the pressure off him or herself and to enjoy the process. We learn so much with each interview that we have and these prep school ones are the first of many.
If you need to have a chat about this time ahead, do call me. 07983 786650. I would love to be of help.