Interviews increasingly require students to think independently, communicate clearly and respond thoughtfully under pressure. However, many academically able students find it challenging to articulate their ideas confidently in unfamiliar situations.
This interactive workshop, designed particularly for students in Years 4 and 5, aims to develop the communication, confidence and interpersonal skills needed to thrive in school interviews and other unfamiliar social situations. We offer separate courses for Year 4 and Year 5 students, ensuring that session content and activities are tailored appropriately to each age group. Through collaborative discussion, creative exercises and guided interview practice, students will become more comfortable expressing themselves, engaging with differing perspectives and approaching challenging questions with clarity and composure.
Through a series of group sessions, students will develop a range of skills essential for successful interviewing and effective communication. They will begin to:
- Increase their confidence interacting and collaborating in a group
- Acquire the language for agreeing and disagreeing with others
- Cultivate an awareness of self: body language, breathing, vocal projection
- Develop a willingness to offer an opinion and listen to a different perspective
- Respond to images, stories and poetry
- Practice answering “typical” interview questions with confident, clear responses
Students will be assessed on the development of their ‘soft skills’: confidence, composure, communication, collaboration and creativity.
By the end of the workshop, students will feel more assured speaking in front of others, articulating their ideas clearly and navigating unfamiliar situations with greater confidence. These are valuable lifelong skills that extend far beyond interviews.
Each session is designed to touch on a range of ‘soft skills’ including confidence, composure, communication, collaboration and creativity. These skills are built week by week through a range of tasks and questions.
Session Structure:
- Check-in
- Warm-up
- to challenge your thinking and creativity.
- Body/physical/vocal awareness
- to bring awareness to the physicality of interviewing.
- Interview skill
- to learn how to tackle a range of typical interview tasks – often in a group.
- Current school interviews use a wide range of tasks to evaluate a student’s suitability. We will practice many of these skills including: describing art, sharing your opinion, telling a personal story, exploring moral dilemmas, solving logic puzzles, analysing poetry, exploring calming mindfulness techniques, understanding core traits (persistence, resilience, flexibility, determination, etc) and engaging in philosophical enquiry.
- Interview question
- to think about key aspects of your life so far and what you aspire to be.
- Reflection
Homework will be sent following each session which enables the students to practice the interview skill and/or question over the week.
Kathleen has been teaching for over 15 years in both primary and secondary schools and has taught over 6,400 hours through Keystone. She aims to instill self-confidence in her students and also help them develop creative independence.
- Maximum Class Size: 6 students
- Platform: Lessons will take place on Pencil Spaces. A link will be sent out ahead of the course start date. Take a look at this video to see our online teaching in action.
- Age Group: Students in Year 4 and Year 5
- FAQs: Please click here.
- Missed sessions: If you miss a lesson, you will not be refunded. The homework can still be sent for parents to help practice skills at home.
Why should I sign up?
Many academically strong students struggle not because they lack ability, but because they find it difficult to communicate their ideas confidently under pressure. This workshop is designed to bridge that gap.
Why are group sessions valuable?
The group format allows students to practice interacting with peers, navigating differing opinions, and building confidence speaking in front of others, essential skills for modern interviews and group assessment settings.
Is this course suitable for shy or less confident students?
Absolutely. The workshop is designed to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students gradually build confidence through discussion, collaboration and structured speaking activities. Many students who initially feel nervous about contributing in groups become noticeably more comfortable expressing themselves over the course.