Teaching Interviews

Training and Development Agency for Schools website Personal Statement guidance

What to expect  Format of interview varies between ITT providers and subjects.  The interview could be a one-on-one or a panel interview, and you may have tests and tasks to complete before you arrive.  You may also be required to participate in a 'recruitment exercise', which may include any of the following:  a group task, discussion or presentation  a further individual interview  a written test

University of Kent Careers Advisory Service website These links are aimed at students applying for one year PGCE courses after their degrees BUT there are very useful tips which will help those applying for teaching degrees:  Example Personal Statements for Teacher Applications  Interview Reports on Interviews for Teacher Training  A practice interview for teacher training

Oxford Education Department PGCE Interview Criteria: a good checklist Academic  Good intellectual and academic credentials  Imagination and creative thinking Personal attributes  Sense of responsibility  Facility for communicating  Ability to work and interact with others  Responsive and lively at interview  Resilient  Can make decisions

Willingness and potential to learn  Willingness and potential to learn  Knowledge of the course Professional values and practice  Has specific reasons for being a teacher  Shows commitment to all children’s learning  Has respect for teachers’ skills  Enjoys the environment of schools  Recognition of the value of collaborative working  Has respect for young people

School focussed issues  Realistic view of teaching, knowledge and understanding of the role of teachers  Recognition of the learners’ perspectives Other criteria  Interest in and experience of working with young people  Potential contribution to school life  Subject specific criteria:  Believes subject worth learning with reasons  Communicates own interest in the subject  Awareness of the subject discipline

Group interviews The assessors will be able to observe your:  ability to listen and respond appropriately  effectiveness in engaging and interacting with others  ability to communicate ideas and opinions clearly  Make sure you contribute and encourage others to do so too.  Read any material provided as part of the exercise carefully and keep the group focused on the objective.

Typical group interview topics  Put in pairs and asked ’What qualities should a good teacher possess?’. Report back to other groups.  Groups of 4-5 to discuss ’What influences from outside the school could affect you as a teacher?’  Video of a teacher and asked: how good is the lesson, what we would do next, benefits of different styles etc.  Discuss a poem in groups. How we might create a lesson based on it  In groups of 5, ’What makes a good school?’.  In groups to present ‘What makes a good teacher?’  Make a TV commercial to promote teaching as a career.

Presentations The assessors will want to see:  A logical structure: introduction, main idea, conclusion  Content and language suitable for the intended audience  That you are able to engage the audience  That you can communicate clearly and know you topic  Try to convey your enthusiasm and include an interactive element. Providers want to get an idea of how you will perform in a classroom setting.

Typical presentation topics  5-10 minute presentation. 'provide a snapshot of a successful lesson which you observed during your work experience  Presentation on a children's book of our choice,  Groups of 4 presentation on pressures secondary school children face.  ‘What do children need in order to learn successfully?’  5 minute presentation on any topic as if to primary school children  Ten minute presentation on a historical topic of our choice

Useful links for advice on group interviews/presentations at:    interview/preparing-for-job-interviews/how-do-i- prepare-an-interview-presentation/article.aspx