PGCE Secondary interviews

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

Task one

We would like you to outline any previous experience of teaching or observing teaching and the key aspects you learnt from this.

Please note that previous school experience is not a requirement or a condition of entry to the programme.

Download the previous school experience form to complete.

Task two

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.

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 five 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.

History

Outline an historical enquiry appropriate for teaching Key Stage 3 history and explain how it would support developing historical skills as well as knowledge.

Mathematics

Prepare a five minute presentation on an enrichment activity involving mathematics in which you have participated, either whilst at school or during your time in Higher Education. You should include what the enrichment activity involved and suggest how this activity could support mathematics teaching in school.

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.

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.

What if I do not have a degree in my chosen subject pathway that I wish to teach?

The interview will assess your subject knowledge. You will be advised if successful completion of a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course is appropriate. Further details are available via https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/teacher-training-routes/subject-knowledge-enhancement-ske-courses.

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:

• 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.
  

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?

Currently transport and a proportion of living costs are reimbursed but this cannot be guaranteed.

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. Government bursary information is available via https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training.