I found the Assistant Director (AD) role via graduate-jobs. There was an online application process in which you had to complete your basic information, CV upload and answer two fundamental questions about Explore Learning (orientated around what relevant skills you bring to the role).
I was successful with the online application and progressed to the in-centre interview. I was able to choose five centres, in order of preference; I was interviewed at the Redditch centre. The centre's Centre Director (CD) also calls you prior to your interview to address any questions, the CD who rang me was lovely! The interview was about an hour in duration. The AD gives you a tour of the centre and explains how the centre operates and how the role of the AD ties into it; you have the opportunity to ask plenty of questions. After this, I had an interview with the CD (the AD takes notes), the questions were orientated around transferrable skills, what I could bring to the role and why Explore Learning? This was then followed by a role play, I had to sell a particular product/service to the AD (you will be told what product/service prior to your interview). To conclude the interview, both the CD and AD observe how you integrate with the children, the children are actual customers at the centre and are completing their own tasks on their computer/handbook. This was a great experience as you get a taste of being an actual AD, liaising with tutors and children.
I was successful at the Redditch centre and progressed to the final stage (I heard back within 3 days). The final stage is an assessment day at the Explore Learning Headquarters in Guildford (10:00am - 4:30pm). I was welcomed by the Explore Learning management team, and we were provided with an introductory presentation. There were about 15-16 other candidates however, we were all told that we were not in competition with one-another (the candidates are from across the country!) We all had to complete tasks before lunch: 1:1 interview, role play and presentation, basic English and numeracy test and this was scheduled differently for each candidate. There were moments where I had 30mins to relax, talk to the other candidates and enjoy the free snacks! Once completed the Explore Learning team treated us all to a lunch at Zizzi's! I had the meat calzone! I really enjoyed this part of the day, I got to know the management team better and I had a laugh with the team and candidates. After lunch, we were split into two different groups. In your group, we had a surprise task to do - it was an improvisation task. Following this, we had to complete a scenario-based group task, which had to be completed in 15 mins. That sums up the day!
I heard back the next working day and I was offered the AD role! Buzzing! Overall, the interview process is relaxed. Fundamentally, the Explore Learning team just want to get to know you. If you slip up with one of your answers it is okay, honestly! Good luck!