School Direct Secondary Education PGCE (all subjects) interview

The interview stage

Well done on getting an interview. Here’s what you need to know and do for the different stages in the interview process right until you join us in September.

Confirm your attendance

To confirm your attendance, please email Tracy Wood or call 01484 478137 

If you can’t attend this date or time or wish to withdraw your application, please let us know. 

Essential information 

• The interview will be held at one of the schools within the School Direct alliance. This is detailed fully in your invitation email.
• If you have any disability issues that may affect your performance in the interview, please let us know.
• Prior to interview you will complete:
  • an online literacy test to evaluate your ability to communicate clearly and accurately in English.
  • an online subject knowledge audit based on aspects of the subject curriculum in school.

Further information about the online tests and individual login details will be sent by the alliance once you have accepted the interview.

The interview lasts approximately 3 hours.

Preparing for your interview

What will happen on the day

An introduction to the School and the School Direct alliance.

A 15-minute teaching task with a Key Stage 3 class.  Please prepare a 15 minute session, an aspect of your subject that you are really passionate about.

A formal interview with the Alliance.

Please compile a short subject knowledge portfolio, which demonstrates your strengths in this area and that can be used as the basis of discussion in your interview. The portfolio should be concise, showing consideration of the key aspects of your subject knowledge that will support you in teaching your subject within the curriculum. Your portfolio could include: (Annotated) examples of work/tasks from degree (or other), References and evidence of prior relevant experience Grade certificates or other relevant qualifications (where applicable) Video evidence of practical skills (where applicable)

Please check that you have everything with you for the interview

1.    A copy of and the original certificates for your awards:

Please bring copies of these with you so we can keep a record. If the certificates are a previous name, you need to bring evidence of the change (e.g. a marriage certificate)

·         A first degree showing a grade of 2.2 or above

·         GCSE or equivalent certificates, showing a grade of C/4 or above in English and Mathematics

·         A level certificates (science only)

2.    One form of photo ID

If you need more information about the selection process, please read the Selection Criteria , so you can familiarise yourself with the skills, understanding and personal qualities we are looking for and how we assess them.

Should you have any queries, please email Tracy Wood  or call 01484 478137. 

 

 

What happens after the interview?

If you are successful then you can log onto the UCAS website to see if you have an offer of a place, which is usually with some conditions. You need to let us know within 14 days or we’ll assume you are no longer interested and will withdraw the offer. 

Conditions may include:

• Complete disclosure and barring service (DBS) (this happens later on in the process and we'll contact you) and health check clearance 
• Gain and provide proof of your degree
• Certificates of your awards/examinations you still have to complete.

If you don’t get an offer of a place on the PGCE for primary, perhaps you’d like to consider a teacher training course in the lifelong learning sector. Here’s a link to the PGCE full-time lifelong learning sector course

What happens until the course starts?

The Alliance will contact you to provide full details of the course dates and your induction programme.

From early summer, if you have a confirmed offer, we’ll send you a link to your own personal pre-enrolment web site where we’ll let you know term dates, where you need to be on the first day and you can confirm your personal details before you formally enrol at the University.

Please remember if you have any queries at any time to contact us by email or telephone 01484 478249.