Our Interview Process
Pupils deserve great teachers and becoming the teacher you want to be is a life-long journey. Teaching is complex and requires many skills. Our interview process is designed so you can showcase the talent and potential you have to become an inspiring primary teacher.
Whatever subject you choose, you will have the same interview process. You will be asked to come to interview at one of our partner schools.
Interview days are arranged throughout the year once the applications are received. The number of applicants attending for interview will vary depending on the applications received. The selection process is carried out by the SCITT Director/Deputy Director and Senior Leaders from our partner schools.
Outline of the interview
The start and finish time will be confirmed prior to interview and will be subject to the number of candidates in attendance. Details of all the tasks will be advised in advance to enable candidates to thoroughly prepare.
The interview process is the same no matter what subject is chosen.
- a task working with a small group of Key Stage 3 or 4 children
- an interview
- a reading task
- Maths and English subject knowledge written tasks*
*English and mathematics subject knowledge tasks will take place separately from the rest of the interview process if you are offered and accept the course.
Please note that in addition to any of the conditions that can be applied, all offers are subject to candidates obtaining, prior to the start of the programme, a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure for the child workforce; an online search, being declared ‘fit to teach’ following the Health Management check.
The SCITT is unable to meet any expenses you incur in attending for interview. Interviews may also take place at our partner schools from time to time.
Person Specification – Trainee Teacher
- Qualifications & Education
- Degree-level qualification
- GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and Mathematics (and Science for Primary trainees)
- DBS Enhanced Disclosure and health checks
- Knowledge & Understanding
- Awareness of the role of a teacher
- Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and confidentiality requirements
- Knowledge of the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion in education
- Subject and phase appropriate knowledge
- Commitment to acting as a positive role model for pupils
- Skills & Abilities
- Effective communication skills (oral and written)
- Ability to work collaboratively and professionally as part of the SCITT and school team
- Good organisational and time-management skills
- Engagement with Training & Development
- Proactive in their own learning, fully engaging in the life of the school and SCITT
- Develops positive relationships with peers, staff, pupils, and parents/carers
- Actively seeks opportunities to observe and learn from experienced teachers and deconstruct practice to inform their own development
- Personal Qualities
- Enthusiasm for teaching and learning, with a genuine commitment to pupils’ development and well-being
- Patience, resilience, and adaptability when responding to challenges
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils
- Motivation to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and progress in the teaching profession
- Positive attitude, respectful of diversity, and supportive of inclusive education
Task and interview questions
Below are some of things we are looking for and will be asking:
Oracy task:
Welcome and putting pupils at ease
Setting expectations: task, behaviour, engagement, motivation
Preparation: task appropriate to age/stage, preparation of resources or task
Questioning and response to pupils’ input
Pupil Engagement & relationship between you and them.
Interview questions:
How did you prepare for the teaching activity?
What skills and expertise from these roles and experiences can you bring to the role of a teacher?
What are some of the barriers to learning and what might you do to overcome these?
What’s your understanding of ethnicity, diversity and inclusion? How does this relate to the classroom?
What do you understand by the term safeguarding?