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 CareersAdvisory 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  www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/pgcestatements.htm

Interview Reports on Interviews for Teacher Training  www.kent.ac.uk/careers/ivreps/ivrepsmenu.htm

A practice interview for teacher training  www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/mockivs.ht

Oxford Education Department PGCE Interview Criteria: a good checklistAcademic

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 interviewsThe 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.

PresentationsThe 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:

http://www.dayinthelife.org.uk/

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/presentationskills.htm

http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/job-interview/preparing-for-job-interviews/how-do-i-prepare-an-interview-presentation/article.aspx