What schools actually assess
- Readiness for classroom life: listening, following instructions, taking turns.
- Thinking out loud: explaining how they reached an answer.
- Curiosity & kindness: noticing, asking sensible questions, being fair in a group.
- Stamina in a new setting: moving between tasks without wobble.
What the interview day looks like
- Small-group tasks: picture talk, logic games, build-and-describe.
- Classroom activity carousel: short English/Maths stations; adults watch how they work.
- Mini chat: interests, recent book, “what would you do if…?”
How I coach children (Coach Jai)
Short frames
Children learn to give answers in clear, repeatable stems:
“I noticed… so I think… because…”
“First… then… finally…”
“I agree with Wilson, and I’d add…”
Practice sessions
- Role plays of small-group tasks and picture talk.
- Children write short answers, then rehearse aloud with modulation.
- Revisions in later role plays so skills stick naturally.
Fortnight interview plan
- Sessions 1–3 (first 10 days): group tasks, picture talk, Q&A, listening games.
- Session 4 (day 14): full mock interview with feedback.
For regular students
I coach parents upfront on mini-steps towards interviews, then run the fortnight prep sessions after the first-stage interview. For families who only want interview practice, the standalone fortnight plan works very well.
10 common prompts & child-sized ways to answer
- Book you liked: “I liked… because… My favourite part was… and it made me feel…”
- Friend left out: “I’d notice… then invite… and check later…”
- Picture talk: “I can see… so maybe… because…”
- Explain a puzzle: “First I tried… then I checked… finally I knew because…”
- Teach me a game: “You’ll need… Start by… The rule is… The game ends when…”
- Good teammate: “Taking turns, sharing ideas, saying ‘well played’.”
- Proud moment: “I practised…, it was hard at first, then I…”
- Change at school: “One small change… because…”
- When stuck: “I re-read, try a smaller step, or ask a helpful hint.”
- Why this school: “I like… I’d join… I can contribute…”
Home practice that works (10 minutes)
- Picture of the day: 60-second Look–Think–Share.
- Build & tell: LEGO with three instructions each; swap roles.
- Listen & add: adult gives an idea; child starts with “I agree/add/disagree because…”.
On-the-day checklist
- Eat, hydrate, loo; labelled water bottle.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early; light chat; no last-minute cramming.
- “Kind eyes, still hands, clear voice”.
- If stuck: “May I think for a moment?” then give one small idea.
Different personalities, simple tweaks
Shy child
Script a first sentence; sit nearer the adult; one clear line is enough.
Boisterous child
Five-second pause before speaking; practise offering turns.
Perfectionist
Rehearse “good-enough” endings; praise brave tries over perfect answers.
Red flags schools notice (and fixes)
- Over-talking / interrupting → use “build-on” stems.
- One-word answers → the “because” rule.
- Not finishing tasks → time-boxed mini-tasks at home.