Interview Information - PGCE Primary courses

This page contains all of the information you will need for your PGCE Primary and Early Years interview. Please read it all very carefully. If you have any questions about this information or about your interview in general, please contact teaching@bathspa.ac.uk.

The documents below relate to your interview day. It is important that you click on the links and check and read these documents.

• Document checklist (to be completed and brought to interview)
• Map and directions of how to get to the interview (at our Newton Park site)

The purpose of the day is to for you to demonstrate that you possess the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a Bath Spa Teacher, the name that we give to PGCE trainees. In addition it will allow us to assess your potential to meet the QTS standards.

In order to prepare for a successful interview we recommend that you gain some experience in a school/setting related to the age phase for which you are applying.

Arrival at the University

We ask candidates to arrive in time to park, and / or make your way to the designated room for 9.45am. If you arrive early the university refectory, @Moreton, will be open for refreshments.

Documents

You should bring with you for verification purposes, the following original documents:

Either:

• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• 2 proofs of address
• Marriage Certificate (if appropriate)

Or:

• New style UK Driving Licence (with paper counterpart)
• Birth Certificate
• 2 proofs of address
• Marriage Certificate (if appropriate)

Please see the Document Checklist for clarification of documents required.

All candidates should provide Examination Certificates for all qualifications obtained to date. If you do not yet have examination certificates, any original, official communication from the Examining Body concerned will be adequate at this stage. We are required by regulations to inspect actual certificates before a candidate can be admitted to the University.

Photocopies of all documents and certificates (except proofs of address) will also be required. Please print off and complete the Document Checklist and place this along with the original documents and photocopies in a large envelope with your name and address on the front. You will be asked to hand this in as you arrive.

This documentation is necessary in order for us to confirm your identity so that if we make you an offer we are then able to send off for an enhanced criminal records check for you.

Presentation

A member of the primary and early years team will be giving a presentation that will provide more detailed information about the structure and nature of the PGCE Primary and Early Years Programmes, both full-time and part-time.

Formal assessments

To assess your intellectual and academic capabilities necessary to meet the QTS standards we will require you to undertake the following:

A. Written communication skills (to take place either at 11.30am to 12.00 pm or 2.00 to 2.30pm)

The University is required to assess your ability to communicate clearly and accurately in standard English. You will therefore be asked to carry out a short piece of writing about your understanding of an effective teacher. You will have 30 minutes to do the writing on paper provided by the University. The writing will be assessed on clarity, organisation and structure, and on transcriptional skills such as spelling, punctuation and handwriting. The results of this assessment will be used to identify your needs if selected.

B. Reading assessment

This will form part of the group interview process, which is explained below. All candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to read effectively and communicate their understanding of an article focussing on current educational issues and debates. The results of this assessment will be used to identify your needs if selected.

C. Numeracy skills assessment (to take place either at 11.00 to 11.30am or 1.30 to 2.00pm)

We have to ensure a certain baseline of numeracy competency for all candidates. This will be carried out through a short numeracy skills test which will last for 30 minutes. Calculators are not permitted although candidates may make informal jottings on paper. The results of this assessment will be used to identify your subject knowledge needs if selected.

Any applicant who has an access need which requires modifications to the writing, reading or numeracy assessments should indicate this to us via teaching@bathspa.ac.uk, and should introduce themselves and present their assessment report to the invigilator at the time.

Suitability for teaching interview (one and a quarter hours)

This is a group interview with several other candidates and usually two interviewers (a tutor and a colleague from a Partnership school/setting). Candidates will be asked in turn to lead a professional discussion based on the article used in their reading assessment.  Interviewers will also ask questions to individual candidates to prompt professional dialogue. Your interview will take place either from 11.00am to 12.15pm or from 1.30pm to 2.45pm. During the time you are not being interviewed you will be completing your tests, visiting @ Moreton or exploring the university campus.

Under normal circumstance all candidates should be finished by 3.00pm.

The University is seeking to improve support for students with additional needs and is committed to a programme of adaptations to widen access. If you would like to discuss any additional needs you may have before visiting, please contact, Student Support Services on (01225) 875649 or (01225) 875541.

 

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