Online group interviews - don't panic!

Girls' schools tend to run group interview days for potential 11+ and 13+ candidates. The girls gather in groups and go through a series of activities together. Some schools, Wycombe Abbey, Downe House and CLC for example, also include online testing. 

 For the most part, the assessment days are a chance for girls to get to know each other. The length of the day gives the chance to different opportunities to shine and a girl who thrives during the debate may be inspired by another who shows herself to be a leader in the sports activities.  Our girls come back from their assessment days raving about Benenden's food or Downe House's muffin baking activities!

This year though, all bets are off and all interviews are on Zoom! 

If your daughter has a Zoom group interview coming up, don't panic. Firstly, schools know that this is going to be a very different experience and will be kind and patient. A good interviewer will make sure everyone is included. Talk to your daughter about ways in which she can show she is interested and listening even when she isn't talking (smiling or nodding can work). Have a greeting and a way of saying 'goodbye' ready. Even think of a few ice-breaker questions she could ask her group mates. 

Organise a few friends to call in and do a practice discussion from home or your daughter could come to a Brandon class. If you are practising at home, choose something from the newspaper and use it as a jumping off point for a discussion or throw out a general question to get things going. 

Above all, do remember that schools want the girls to have a positive experience and they really will make the online group interviews as encouraging as possible.