How do I prepare for international school interviews (Y1)

There is no need to over prepare for international school interviews. Teachers are looking for children to act naturally, to see how they interact with other students. For those applying for Year 1, there is an expectation that your child should be able to go to school without a nappy or pull up. Don’t worry about accidents – Year 1 teachers expect them and will ask you to pack a change in your child’s school bag particularly in the first term of school.

They are not looking to see how many classes your child is enrolled in, rather they are looking at the interest your child is showing is drawing, writing, colouring, cutting, building blocks, playing with other students etc. From these observations, teachers can learn a lot about your child’s development, if they are tracking at the same level as other 5-year-olds, their pen hold, gross motor, fine motor abilities etc.

Don’t forget too – that schools too are looking at how you as a parent interact with your child. How you spend time together at weekends, bedtime routines, favourite toys, holidays even how you interact whilst you are at the school for the interview! These are all part of the decision-making process teachers use when deciding on places for Year 1.

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