Primary Education Interviews

Once you have applied for one of our Primary Education courses* and if you have been shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview. 

Interviews take place On-Campus for HOME students and only Online for INTERNATIONAL applicants.

*Primary Education courses include BA (Hons) Primary Education, PGCE Primary Education, PGCE Primary with Mathematics, and School Direct Tuition routes.

What should you expect?  

• Interviews take place On-Campus for HOME students and only Online for INTERNATIONAL applicants.
• For our Home applicants, the interview will include a group task, an independent task, and an interview with one of our Primary Education lecturers or school partners.
• The process will take approximately 2 hours and you will have an opportunity to view the campus after the interview if you would like.
• For International applicants, your interview link will be sent on the day of your interview so you know the exact time of your interview, which will either be sometime between 9:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-4:30 pm.
• As part of the interview process, we ask you to prepare for some of the questions you will be asked. Your level of preparation for these tasks helps us make a decision on your suitability for the course and support our vision for all of our trainee teachers to be informed, be inspiring and to be influential.

Pre-Interview Preparation 

Please see the details below for the preparation we’d like you to carry out:

Early Reading:

Please choose a children’s book that would be suitable for either Key Stage 1 or 2 children and think about:

• why you have chosen this book;
• why it is suitable for a particular key stage;
• how you would use this book to support learning in a key stage or specific year group.

Please ensure you have a copy of this as you will be asked to read a short section of this book to a small group. Local libraries have a range of suitable children’s books so you do not need to buy the book if you don’t have it.  

Behaviour:

Please read the article titled: ‘The Beginning Teacher’s Behaviour Toolkit’ written by Tom Bennett – find link below:

https://tombennetttraining.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Tom_Bennett_summary.pdf

There will be questions asked about the specific proactive behaviour management strategies outlined in this article. Please note, you are allowed to make brief notes and bring them to the interview.

Safeguarding:

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.  It is essential that everybody working in a school understands their safeguarding responsibilities; this includes being aware of the process you should follow if a child tells you they are being abused, exploited or neglected. You will be asked to discuss this.

Fundamental British Values:

We would advise you to take time researching and becoming more familiar with the Fundamental British Values as part of the preparation for this interview as it will aid you with an independent task we will ask you to complete.

Inadequate preparation for these interview tasks will form the basis of rejection in regard to your application for this course.

• Our rigorous selection process is designed to assess your suitability to train to teach.  
• If you require any special arrangements for your interview, please do let us know so we can ensure reasonable adjustments are made.
• Please arrive in good time for your interview. There are refreshment facilities on campus and if you are accompanied to your interview, your guest is welcome to use these whilst you have your interview.
• Please bring photographic ID such as a passport, driving license or college ID card. The interview cannot proceed without this.
• If you have applied for a postgraduate School Direct course you may be required to have a school visit, in addition to an interview, requested directly from the School Direct Alliance you have applied for - you will be informed of this via e-mail if this is the case. 
• You will not be asked to present certificates at your interview. Admissions will ask you for the sight of original copies after the interview if you are offered a place.

• Do you know enough about the course you have applied for? Research information about the course, and the Primary curriculum and visit our open days or postgraduate open evenings where you can come and speak to our staff and students www.wlv.ac.uk/opendays.
• Ensure you have read all the guidance that has been sent to you so you can demonstrate you have prepared for your interview. Check if you have been requested to bring any additional information with you (ID etc.).

On-Campus Interviews - UK only

• Don't forget to check which campus your interview will be based on. This information can be found in your interview confirmation e-mail and on e:Vision.
• Plan your journey- our campuses are well-serviced by public transport. If arriving by car, you may find that some of our campuses will require you to pay for parking. You can find further info on how to find us, here.
• Check out our campus locations and campus maps to make sure you go to the correct building for your interview.
• Please arrive at the Samuel Johnson (WN) Building at our Walsall Campus where you can check-in with a member of staff.

Online Interviews - International only

• Have you downloaded Microsoft Teams ready onto your device? Read our full guidance on ensuring you are set up and ready for your online interview.
• You’ll be sent a link to your interview on Microsoft Teams via email usually just before your interview time, not far in advance. In this email, there should be a 'Join meeting' link. Just before your interview time, press 'Join meeting'. 
• Please ensure you have your photographic ID ready, a fully charged device and you have your e-mail account open on this device no later than 10 minutes before your interview time.
• Ensure you are away from any loud noise or distractions which could interfere with your interview.
• Click the ‘Join meeting’ link 5-10 minutes before your interview time.  

GOOD LUCK!