As part of the selection 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 readiness to train to teach and supports our vision for all of our trainee teachers to be informed, inspiring and influential.

Pre-interview tasks (REQUIRED - Please read in full):

• Have a form of identification (e.g. passport, driving licence, etc.) ready to present on arrival.
• Please note – we ask applicants to make, and bring, written notes on any preparation you do for this interview. Notes made on a phone or other electronic devices will not be able to be used during the selection process.
• Please complete the below remaining tasks:

Early Reading 

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

• Why have you chosen this book?
• Which year group is it most suitable for?
• How would you use this book to support learning in a particular subject? For this question, please look at the National Curriculum and find specific objectives you could link learning to for up to 2 different subjects. You can make notes on this and use them to support your answer during this part of the interview.

Please ensure you have a physical 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 – the link is here:

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

There will be questions asked about the strategies and approaches outlined in this article.

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.

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. Think about, and make notes on, learning or activities you could carry out with the children in the classroom to promote each of these Fundamental British Values (be specific about how the learning opportunities or activities are appropriate for the key stage or year group you have chosen).

Additional task for those applying for a PGCE courses only 

Teaching resource 

• If you are applying for a PGCE in Primary Education, we ask you to bring a resource, artifact or other item that you could use to support teaching in a particular subject. Examples of this may include an artifact that is used to support the teaching of History, a special item that is used to support the teaching of Religious Education or perhaps a hand-made resource that is used to support the teaching of PSHE, Geography or Science. This resource must be different to the book you bring for the reading part of the selection process event.
• The resource can be anything and there is nothing specifically that we are looking for. What interviewers will consider is how you have carefully considered the year group it has been selected for, the specific learning that would take place in this subject and how learning could be adapted for pupils with additional needs. 

Finally:

• If you require any special arrangements for your interview, please do let us know so we can ensure reasonable adjustments are made via your e:Vision interview booking.
• 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.

• For Home Applicants (On-Campus) - Please arrive from 30 minutes before the interview to ensure you are on time. In many cases, latecomers will not be permitted. 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.
• For International applicants (Online),  please ensure you have fully charged device and you have your e-mail account open on this device no later than 10 minutes before your interview time.
• At the start of the interview, you must show a form of picture ID as proof of who the interviewer is talking to. Acceptable documents include a passport, driving license, college ID badge, etc. (please note we do not accept copies).
• For our Home applicants, the interview on campus will include a group task, an independent task, and an interview with one of our Primary Education lecturers or school partners. The interview will last for the duration of either 10.00am-.12.30pm or 13.30pm-15.30pm (depending what time your invited).
• For International applicants, your online 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.

After attending your interview, you will be notified on whether or not you’ve been successful within 48 hours. If you are successful, details of your offer will be confirmed within 14 working days.

If you’re unsuccessful, you may be made an alternative offer on another course that we think you are suitable for. Find out more. *Please note PGCE applicants will not be automatically provided with an alternative offer.

If you’re unable to attend your interview, you can decline your date/time via e:Vision up to 48 hours before your selection event and you must then log a helpdesk call to request a new date or withdrawal. If you’re unable to attend less than 48 hours before, please get in touch with Admissions via 01902 323505 as soon as possible. Find out more about responding to your invite here.

If you have applied through Clearing (July to October), you can contact the Clearing Hotline to request to amend your interview date.

Please note if you fail to notify us that you’re unable to attend, your application will be rejected.

Contact us via e-mail - interviews@wlv.ac.uk.