School of Education Interview days

How to prepare for your interview day

Prior to your interview, you will be sent a presentation by a member of staff which provides information on the University of Chester and details relating to the BA Early Years, Primary QTS Programme including: structure; learning and teaching strategies; assessment arrangements; School-Based Learning (SBL); accommodation; support services.

What to put in your portfolio

Your Interview Day with the University of Chester will include the following:

• A two minute presentation by you using an object or resource of your choice that is important to you. Presenting information is a key role for a teacher so, think about how you will approach the delivery of the presentation. Within your presentation ensure that you justify why you chose the object/resource. Please feel free to use prompt cards, but please do not just read from your notes or use PowerPoint. Two tutors will listen to your presentation and then you will be asked questions. Interviewers will make notes on your presentation skills, e.g. eye contact, delivery and the ways in which you have structured your presentation to make it interesting to your audience.
• An individual interview which will last approximately 20 minutes. You will be asked a small number of questions which are intended to find out about you, your previous experiences and your reasons for wanting to be a primary or early years teacher. You will also be able to ask questions about any aspect of our BA QTS Programme and the University of Chester.

What we’d like to talk to you about

After the interview, all the information we have gathered from your application form, presentation and individual interview will be reviewed against the primary/early years programme selection criteria. The discussion will be a balanced one and the process allows for one area not scoring as highly as all the others.

How to prepare for your interview day

Prior to your interview, you will be sent a presentation by a member of staff which provides information on the University of Chester and details relating to the PGCE Primary Programme including: structure; learning and teaching strategies; assessment arrangements; School-Based Learning (SBL); accommodation; support services.

What to put in your portfolio

Your Interview Day with the University of Chester will include the following:

• A two minute presentation by you using an object or resource of your choice that is important to you. Presenting information is a key role for a teacher so, think about how you will approach the delivery of the presentation. Within your presentation ensure that you justify why you chose the object/resource. Please feel free to use prompt cards, but please do not just read from your notes or use PowerPoint. Two tutors will listen to your presentation and then you will be asked questions. Interviewers will make notes on your presentation skills, e.g. eye contact, delivery and the ways in which you have structured your presentation to make it interesting to your audience.
• An individual interview which will last approximately 20 minutes. You will be asked a small number of questions which are intended to find out about you, your previous experiences and your reasons for wanting to be a primary or early years teacher. You will also be able to ask questions about any aspect of our PGCE Programme and the University of Chester.

What we’d like to talk to you about

After the interview, all the information we have gathered from your application form, presentation and individual interview will be reviewed against the primary/early years programme selection criteria. The discussion will be a balanced one and the process allows for one area not scoring as highly as all the others.

How to prepare for your interview day

Prior to your interview, you will be sent a presentation by a member of staff which provides information on the University of Chester and details relating to the PGCE Programme including: structure; learning and teaching strategies; assessment arrangements; School-Based Learning (SBL); accommodation; support services.

What to put in your portfolio

 Your Interview Day with the University of Chester will include the following:

• A two minute presentation by you using an object or resource of your choice that is important to you. Presenting information is a key role for a teacher so, think about how you will approach the delivery of the presentation. Within your presentation ensure that you justify why you chose the object/resource. Please feel free to use prompt cards, but please do not just read from your notes or use PowerPoint. Two tutors will listen to your presentation and then you will be asked questions. Interviewers will make notes on your presentation skills, e.g. eye contact, delivery and the ways in which you have structured your presentation to make it interesting to your audience.
• An individual interview which will last approximately 20 minutes. You will be asked a small number of questions which are intended to find out about you, your previous experiences and your reasons for wanting to be a primary or early years teacher. You will also be able to ask questions about any aspect of our PGCE Programme and the University of Chester.

What we’d like to talk to you about

After the interview, all the information we have gathered from your application form, presentation and individual interview will be reviewed against the primary/early years programme selection criteria. The discussion will be a balanced one and the process allows for one area not scoring as highly as all the others.

Guidance Notes

Your Interview Day at the University of Chester will include the following:

Your Interview Day at the University of Chester will incorporate an introductory talk which provides information on the University of Chester and details relating to the structure of the PGCE Programme including: learning and teaching strategies; assessment arrangements; School-Based Learning (SBL); University- Based Learning (UBL); subject specific information; accommodation and support services. You will also be shown the facilities at Riverside Campus.

Interview format

Your interview will normally consist of:

• A literacy task designed to assess your  assimilation skills and written ability
• A group practical session (Drama  applicants only)
• A short presentation or group task
• A presentation and conversation in the target language (MFL applicants only).

These sessions will either be followed by or will include a discussion on aspects of the specialist subject. This will be followed by a formal interview looking at specific areas of your understanding. This will include areas such as the role of the teacher, pedagogical knowledge, or school experience, yet will also allow the opportunity for you to share your individual knowledge and expertise.

Throughout the interview day we will also be noting your interactions with others, your presentation skills and use of visual aids, and your ability to use language confidently, succinctly and appropriately. After the interview, all the information we have gathered from your application form, results of your written task, presentation/ practical/group discussion and interview will be reviewed against the Programme’s selection criteria.

If you are offered and accept a place on the PGCE Programme, you will receive a short action plan identifying areas for further development by the start of the Programme.

You will also receive a subject reading list to get you started on your teaching journey.

If you do not secure a place on the Programme, verbal feedback from the subject tutor is available should you require it.

Location

The Faculty of Education and Children’s Services is based at Wheeler, Chester and this is where you will register for your interview.

Wheeler site, is accessible via the A5116/Liverpool Road, A56/Hoole Way, A51 and A483, and a 20 minute walk from Chester Railway Station. It also takes just 5 minutes to walk from the campus to the centre of Chester.

Sat Nav: CH1 1SL

Guidance Notes

Your Interview Day at the University of Chester will incorporate an introductory talk which provides information on the University and details relating to the structure of the PGCE Programme including: learning and teaching strategies; assessment arrangements; School-Based Learning (SBL); University-Based Learning (UBL); subject specific information; accommodation and support services. Please refer to your interview invitation letter for the timings and schedule of your Interview Day.

Your Interview Day will normally consist of a formal interview and a practical workshop where we will explore your basic movement skills and games teaching. The tasks are as follows:

• Games teaching episode – design and lead a five-minute teaching episode which focuses on one or more principles of game play (such as possession, denying or creating space, support, applying pressure etc...).
• The practical workshop will be followed by a formal interview. The interview is designed to look at specific areas of your understanding and will include discussion of school/coaching experience, pedagogical knowledge and your views on Physical Education. While the interview is designed to probe your understanding of the subject, it will also allow the opportunity for you to share your individual knowledge and expertise.
• Throughout the interview day we will also be noting your interactions with others, your presentation skills and your ability to use language confidently, succinctly and appropriately.
• After the interview, all the information we have gathered from your application form, practical/games teaching and interview will be reviewed against the secondary Programme’s selection criteria.
• If you are offered and accept a place on the PGCE Programme, you will receive a short action plan identifying areas for further development by the start of the Programme. You will also receive a subject reading list to get you started on your teaching journey.
• If you do not secure a place on the Programme verbal feedback from the subject tutor is available should you require it.

Location

Interviews will take place at our Exton Park site, Chester.