Collect together all the information you will need to take to the interview:

• Two copies of your CV - the school or Local Authority (LA) may have misplaced yours.
• Original copies of your qualifications.
• Your DCSF registration.
• Written testimonials from past jobs.
• Your portfolio.

Read over the advertisement again to remind yourself of the position you are applying for and its requirements. Review your CV and application form so that you remember what you have written.

Make sure you know where and when the interview is and plan your journey to arrive 10 minutes early. There are a number of great online resources to help you plan your journey:

• National Rail
• Transport for London
• The AA.

Find out as much as you can about the school offering the job. The DSCF is a good resource, with school performance tables. You should look at the school website if they have one - you can search for their individual web sites using a major search engine such as Google or Ask.com. Also take a look at the school's reports though ensure you are aware of the date of the report.

Prepare answers for questions that may be asked. We have some examples for you in the next section. Remember to be able to back up your answers with relevant examples.

If you have been asked to teach a lesson, plan carefully:

• Find out in advance about the age range, ability and number of children in the class.
• Ensure the school has a list of resources you need and can provide them.
• Avoid leaving any photocopying to the last day.
• Give the observer a lesson plan so they know what your aims and objectives are.

Remember to dress smartly for the position you are applying for. Instant judgements will be made about your appearance.