Help with your Teacher Training application and interview video transcript

If you're thinking of a career in teaching, I definitely recommend going into schools, trying to get as much experience as possible. Whether that be volunteering within a classroom or maybe just helping out at like a lunchtime club or an after school club or something like that. Very good for yourself because you're able to get that experience and you're able to get an understanding of what it might be like within that classroom environment as well.

 

Connor Flood, Primary Education Student:

I just fell back on to what I know and went to my old primary school. And you can also find sort of educational roles - if you're part of a sport, you can go to your club and ask if you could take over coaching sessions.

 

Ame Pritchard, Primary Education Student:

And also use what you're doing at the moment. So like I did beavers working with six and seven year-olds. So use that to help form your decision.

 

The second topic appears: 

'How do I make my personal statement stand out?'

A summary text box appears, reading: 'Consider guidance roles within your existing interests, such as sports and hobbies'. 

Another box reads: 'Write about relevant experiences including within your hobbies and interests, and schools.'

A third box says: 'Share your passions and link previous relevant learning.'

Connor Flood:

So to make your statement stand out, you can use all your interests and hobbies to make it more personal to you and write about your relevant experience, but add your own experiences within the school that you've been at. So for me, I wrote about my time coaching when I was a young leader, and that helped me to sort of put a personal spin on why I want to become a teacher because I had that experience and had the knowledge of why I want to be a teacher and the sort of ethos I want to work with.

Ame:

I'd definitely say show yourself, show your passions, what you're interested in and link your previous learning. So if you're at sixth form or college, link the modules you're doing there into what you think will be helpful.

Connor McCall:

I think it's very important that you write about why you want to do this. It also gives the members of staff here at Derby a slight idea of who you are and it's also very very important just to make sure that they get an idea of what you're like as well.

 

Topic three:
'What can I expect at the interview?'

Summary box reads: 'At the interview, always communicate effectively and share your passion for teaching and learning.'

Ame:

At Derby, the interviews are either offered online or in person so you can choose whatever suits best for you and then you will complete different activities. Some look at safeguarding and just the staff will be looking at getting to know you and if the career will be right for you, as well as looking at how you communicate with others.

Connor Flood:

When I went to the University of Derby's primary education interview, it was formal but it was also quite casual that they didn't want to put any pressure on you to make you feel like you were someone you're not. They very much wanted the true you. So they asked questions about your personal interests and hobbies and more about you as a person, but they also had a task to do. But it's nothing scary. It's just they give you an article to read, you read the article - make some points, form your own viewpoint on the article, and then you can go and speak to other applicants that are in the online meeting with you or if you're in person, in the meeting.

Connor McCall:

Expect questions about why you want to do the course as well. And then they might try and find out a little bit more about yourself. So you know, always try and take yourself in that nice and friendly, nice and positive and eager to learn attitude.

Fourth topic:
'Any advice for international applicants?'

Text summary reads: 'Contact the university with any questions you have and apply as soon as possible.'

Secondly: 'Ensure your existing education qualifications are equivalent to course entry requirements.'

Thirdly: 'Familiarise yourself with the national curriculum in England and anything additionally supplied by the university.'

Ame:

If you're an overseas applicant, I would definitely recommend starting your application early just so visas go through and you can definitely talk to the academics and make sure that Derby is the right place for you.

Connor Flood:

If you're an overseas applicant, make sure to apply for your visa and make sure that your equivalencies are all correct and all align so you don't get any delay when you do get your online meeting date or when you actually want to come over and start studying. And then just make sure you're sort of up to date and had a look through sort of the national curriculum and what the uni want you to look through before you come. So that's very important that you align yourself with what is expected of you as a primary education student.

Connor McCall:

It's also very important that you get an understanding of the way that the system works, the education system works, just to make sure that when you start, you can really kick on and hit the ground running.