PGCE Primary interview

We are pleased to be inviting you to interview for the PGCE Primary course at the University of Reading and we are looking forward to meeting you.

We want this to be a stress-free process to enable you to perform to your potential and we hope that the following information will be helpful to you. Please read all of the information carefully.

What do I need to do before my online interview?

• Familiarise yourself with the Teachers' Standards.
• Be aware of the current issues facing teaching, particularly in the area for which you have applied.
• Watch the PGCE Primary interview presentation video.
• Watch the Transforming Lives – the Institute of Education video.
• Complete the Key Stage 1 Maths lesson task.
• Complete and return a written task.
• Read the Institute of Education's interview top tips guide.

Do I need to provide any documents at my online interview?

The only document that you will need to provide at your interview is a piece of photographic ID so your identity can be verified (your passport, driving licence photocard or ID card). You will need to hold this up to the camera, so please have this to hand at the start of your interview.

Key Stage 1 Maths lesson task

Before your interview, please watch the first eight minutes of the Maths at Melcombe Primary School film and make notes on the techniques that the teacher uses to support the children's learning. Your notes should address the following:

• How does the teacher encourage good learning behaviour?
• What would the teacher have needed to consider when planning this lesson?
• How does the teacher use voice and body language to support learning?
• How does the teacher assess the understanding of the children?

During your interview, you will be prompted to discuss your responses to these points and reflect on what you noted in the video. Please come to your interview with questions prepared.

The written task

Approximately two or three working days prior to your interview, you will be sent a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation and an email containing the written task and relevant instructions. Please complete and return the written task via email before your interview. Please let us know if any adjustments are needed for you to access this task.

What will happen during my interview?

There will be a brief informal discussion focused on the Key Stage 1 Maths lesson task as well as a formal interview. The interview questions will focus on the following:

• your motivations for beginning a career in primary teaching
• your understanding of safeguarding
• your own values and ethics regarding primary teaching
• your ability to reflect on and analyse your own experience in the context of your development as a trainee teacher
• your awareness of the Teachers' Standards and relevance to your own development.

There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions at the end of your interview.

Who will interview me?

You will be interviewed by one of the programme tutors from the Institute of Education and another interviewer. The second interviewer may be a colleague from one of our partner schools. Please note that we will share relevant background information from your application form with our partner school colleague, but this will not include any sensitive data that you provided as part of your application. If you have any queries or concerns in relation to this, please contact admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk.

Questions?

We are looking look forward to meeting you at your interview. In the meantime, if you have any questions or if you require any assistance in relation to your interview, please contact admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk.