This page contains all of the information you require prior to your interview. However, if there are any questions you may have that are not answered on this page please email educationinterviews@plymouth.ac.uk or call +44 1752 585858.
Programme of the day
Interview pre-work
FAQs
Course information
10.30 - arrival and registration, to include the checking of your documents
10.45 - writing task
11.30 - subject talk
12.00 - lunch
13.00 - subject specialism Interviews
16.00 - approximate finish time depending on number of interviews taking place on the day.
For details on arrival location please see your invite to interview letter and/or email.
In preparation, we would like you to complete the following:
We would like you to outline your previous experience of teaching or observing teaching and the key aspects you learnt from this. If you do not have any recent school experience, please indicate your future intentions.
Download the previous school experience form to complete.
You will be asked to prepare a five minute presentation prior to interview, ready to present them to staff and other applicants on the day. These should be informal presentations but you should be prepared to answer questions on your chosen topic from the tutor and other applicants.
The aspect to be presented for each subject is as follows:
Art and design
Prepare a five minute presentation on an artist of your choice. Their artwork can vary from any form of 2D or 3D work, video or performance etc. It is your choice. You are asked to present your ideas about her/his work in the form of a talk using any materials, other than PowerPoint, you think appropriate.
Also, please bring along your own portfolio.
Computer Science
Prepare a five minute presentation explaining some element of computer coding to a GCSE level audience, for example, a function. The time allowance should help you to decide on what is feasible to cover but you should demonstrate the code and explain why it is useful.
Design and technology
Prepare a five minute presentation on a series of developed design ideas that show off your specialist area of interest. In order to inform your design you need to investigate a decade of your choice, exploring the design, cultural and social influences of the time. The product you design should focus on your previous design education and should show off your personal style and ingenuity. You are asked to present your work in the form of a talk using any materials, other than PowerPoint, you think appropriate.
Also, please bring along your own portfolio.
Drama
Prepare a five minute presentation which identifies a practitioner whose work you find interesting and explain how you would incorporate this into your classroom practice. You are asked to present your ideas about her/his work using any materials, PowerPoint or practical exercises you think appropriate.
English
Choose and explain the educational potential of a piece of teenage fiction.
This will be a 5-minute presentation and there will be non-specialists in the panel.
You are asked to present your ideas about the piece using any materials, PowerPoint or practical exercises you think appropriate.
Geography
Prepare a five minute presentation on a fieldwork experience you have had anywhere in the world. You should include what the fieldwork involved and suggest how this fieldwork could support geography teaching in school.
Mathematics
Create a 5- 7 minutes presentation, which should:
a) focus on key idea or aspect that relates to the role of mathematics within STEM in schools or
b) focus on key idea or aspect that relates to the national curriculum in mathematics.
Please remember that there will be non-specialists in the panel
Music
Practical activities
Prepare a five minute presentation about a practical activity that you might use in the classroom to achieve a musical outcome. You are encouraged to use your own performing skills but will need to bring your own instruments if required as interviews will take place in non-specialist rooms.
You should be clear about what your pupils would learn and how the activity’s practical nature is relevant to that learning. You should specify which year the activity is designed for and reference should be made to assumed prior experience. The most recent National Curriculum for Music should also be referred to.
Science
Favourite scientist
Prepare a five minute presentation on your favourite scientist. Your choice may be a contemporary or a historical figure; one of a significant research group or a lone researcher. You are asked to present your ideas about her/his work in the form of a talk using any materials, other than PowerPoint, you think is appropriate.
What if I do not have a degree in my chosen subject pathway that I wish to teach?
You will be asked to provide, before interview, an audit of the aspects of your degree or work/other experience(s) that are relevant to teaching your chosen subject at post-16 level.
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.
The benefits of this are:
Any questions you have regarding accommodation should be directed to our accommodation office. Further information and contact details are available via www.plymouth.ac.uk/accommodation.
What are the costs for college or school placements?
Most costs incurred for transport and living costs in respect of placements can be claimed back. Students will be expected to contribute towards utility bills and food if placed with a family.
Can I organise my own teaching placement?
No, we organise your placements in our partner schools and colleges. If you have specific needs and/or caring responsibilities, you are advised to discuss these with the placements team and your professional tutor at the start of the course and they will be taken into consideration.
Funding and finance
Currently PGCE students are entitled to apply for a student loan/grant in the same way as you would for a first degree to cover student fees and living costs while on the course. Further information regarding our tuition fees and bursaries, including contact details for our Student Funding Unit, is available via www.plymouth.ac.uk/money. Information about how to apply for government help with paying your fees is available via www.gov.uk/studentfinance.
Congratulations on being invited to interview for one of our PGCE Secondary programmes. On this page we have provided information regarding the format of the day and tasks we would like you to complete in advance. It is vital that you are prepared and are able to talk about these tasks when you meet us.
The interview is designed to ensure that:
You are required to arrange visits to local schools before interview, so that you can discuss your observations of teaching and learning. If you do not have recent experience of secondary schools your offer of a place on the programme will include conditions for school experience.
You should also be aware of National Curriculum requirements and developments in the Secondary National Strategy in your chosen subject area. Details of the relevant Secondary National Curriculum can be found at the GOV.UK website.
During your interview, you will be asked to complete a placement registration form. This is not part of the interview decision but gives applicants the opportunity to outline specific circumstances which may affect their school placements.
We look forward to meeting you at your interview and if you should need any help or assistance please do contact us.
Best wishes,