PGCE Primary interviews

In preparation, we would like you to complete the following:

Task one

We would like you to write briefly about the relevance of your degree studies to teaching in order that we can consider ways in which your previous experience might make you a suitable candidate for the programme. In doing this you might consider what you gained from your higher education experience which will be of use to you as a teacher of young children.

The account need not be very long but it should indicate all of the ways in which you think your particular educational background has prepared you for this role. You will need to make connections with the relevant curriculum but you should not feel that you need to restrict yourself to that. 

Task two

Please visit the Guardian website and read the article ‘New test for ‘growth mindset’ the theory that anyone who tries can succeed.’

As part of the interview procedure there will be a short discussion for you to take part in along with other candidates. You should bring along a copy of this article to the interview. You should have read the article prior to the interview and be ready to contribute to the discussion about it. Please note that there is no one thing we are looking for in relation to the piece; rather we are interested to see how you have understood it, what opinions you have about the issues involved and how you relate it to your own experience in school, as well as how you interact with other potential students.

Please bring the following documentation with you:

• original GCSE maths, English and science certificates
• original degree certificate (if achieved and applying for a postgraduate programme)
• any pre-work you have been asked to complete in your invitation letter, further details on this
  work can be found on the individual subject specific interview pages.
• original degree certificate (if achieved and applying for a postgraduate programme). Note if you have not achieved your degree certificate yet then you will be expected to supply your original degree certificate during the summer months, an official and stamped results letter from your institution can be accepted until your original degree certificate is available. Any queries or questions please contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

To prepare for your interview we recommend thinking about the reasons you want to study on the course you have applied for. Current students have said they found it useful to make sure they had knowledge of some of the topical issues in the news.

Specific programmes may require more preparation, further information on this is available from the relevant course link.

Disability and dyslexia advice and support

We talk to students about disability support and any reasonable adjustments available for their programme of study. A disability can be a mental health condition, dyslexia or any other specific learning difficulty, autism, or long term medical condition – such as epilepsy or diabetes.

If you have a disability, please ensure you have read the information on our Disability Services webpage. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page and open the Disability disclosure information 2018 document.

If you require any adjustments for your interview, please email educationinterviews@plymouth.ac.uk prior to your interview date.

We aim to inform you of the outcome of your interview within ten working days.

If you are successful at interview, as part of your offer you will be required to pass the QTS Skills Test and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure. Further details on these are below.

Skills Test

It is advised that you complete your Skills Test as soon as possible. Visit our skills test pages for more information or to book your test please visit the Department of Education website.

Please note those applying for PGCE / CertEd (incorporating the Diploma in Education and Teaching) do not have to take the QTS Skills Test.

Dislosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure

Our courses require students to work in positions requiring public trust. In order to ensure public protection and safety, all applicants will be asked to declare any convictions or cautions against them, and to declare any pending prosecutions. This can be done on the UCAS application form.

Enhanced disclosures will be made on all students when they hold conditional firm or unconditional firm status. You will be sent details of how to complete the check online as part of your offer, with details of how to do so at this point. This process must be completed, even if a check has recently been completed for another organisation. All information is treated in the utmost confidence.

A disclosure which contains details of an offence does not automatically preclude study on one of our courses. We operate a Professional Issues Committee which will consider each case individually and confidentially. In all instances the committee is assessing whether the disclosure would prevent an applicant from going on placement or obtaining employment on graduation.

How soon will I hear after interview?

We aim to let you know within two weeks of the interview.

Accommodation

If you are offered a place on the course you may need accommodation whilst in Plymouth. The University does have halls and other forms of accommodation for postgraduate students. However, you may prefer to arrange your accommodation in shared housing with other PGCE students.

• you all have similar workloads
  
• you may be able to share transport to college or school placements
  
• you are able to talk about your experiences and share knowledge.