PGCE Primary School Direct

(Ladywood Teaching School Alliance)

INTERVIEWS

Guidance for Candidates

2014 Entry

Mission Statement

“Edge Hill University will provide an intellectually stimulating, creative and inclusive environment for its community. Teaching and learning of the highest standard, supported by pure and applied research of international significance, will provide a firm foundation for its graduates, and other stakeholders in a rapidly changing world. An international perspective, knowledge and understanding, and a life-long capacity to learn and adapt, is the surest way of securing an individual’s and nation’s future.”

Equal Opportunities Edge Hill University aims to provide an institutional environment which is welcoming; and which values and affirms the positive contributions of all its members. Edge Hill University seeks to identify and to eradicate any practices which promote racism, sexism or homophobia or which discriminate against people with disabilities, or from particular socio-economic backgrounds, or because of their age. We ask everyone to be aware of their behaviour at all times so that we can continue to develop an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome”. Contents

1. YOUR INTERVIEW

1.1 Introduction and Arrival 1.2 The Structure of the Day 1.3 What to Bring with You 1.4 Students with Disabilities or Learning Difficulties 1.5 Interview Outcomes

2. ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

1. YOUR INTERVIEW 1.1 INTRODUCTION Congratulations, you have successfully reached the interview stage. A significant number of applications have been considered by school colleagues and we wish you well as you progress further through the competitive selection and interview process.

Ladywood School Alliance works in Partnership with Edge Hill University to provide candidates the opportunity to gain a Primary PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) through School Direct. The Alliance involves eleven primary schools all of which have significant experience in delivering outstanding Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in partnership with Edge Hill University. The schools who would be involved in delivering the training include,

 The Oaks Primary School, Bolton

 St Saviour’s C of E Primary School, Bolton

 St Paul’s C of E Primary School, Bolton

 Ladywood School and Outreach Service, Bolton

 Greenfold School at the Orchards Federation, Bolton  Red Lane Primary School

 Pikes Lane Primary School  St Peter’s Smithills Dean CE Primary School  Blackshaw Primary School  St Matthew’s Primary School  SS Osmund and Andrews

This is a one year course for graduates that wish to achieve Qualified Teacher Status.

School Direct students will be trained jointly within the cluster of schools and Edge Hill University. Trainees on the programme will receive a comprehensive training programme with the schools involved providing specific training on a number of areas including literacy, phonics, mathematics, supporting children who have English as an additional language, SEN/D in the classroom and managing behaviour.

As you are aware it is our intention to recruit those candidates who have the potential to be outstanding primary teachers, applicants for the 2014 intake will be involved in a rigorous selection process over one day including:

 Subject knowledge multiple choice test  Academic writing task  Observation of you engaging with children in a classroom environment and within the wider life of the school  Observation of you managing a group of learners  Short interview

Good Luck in your interview

Lisa Murtagh, Head of School Direct Programmes

Many congratulations on reaching the interview stage for a School Direct place with Edge Hill University and Ladywood Teaching School Alliance. The process is rigorous, however the successful candidates will have the exciting opportunity to train as a teacher alongside our alliance of schools. We look forward to meeting you when you join us for interview.

Mrs. Sally McFarlane

Head Teacher

Ladywood School and Outreach Service, Bolton Arrival

You should aim to arrive at the host school at 8.30am on the day of your interview. Please ensure that you park on the main road outside school.

Interview Day Host School Monday 13th January 2014 The Oaks Primary School All Day Sharples Hall Drive, Sharples , Bolton BL1 7HS Tuesday 28th January 2014 Red Lane Primary School All Day Red Lane, Breightmet, Bolton, BL2 5HP Tuesday 11th February 2014 The Oaks Primary School All Day Sharples Hall Drive, Sharples , Bolton BL1 7HS Tuesday 25th February 2014 St Saviours C of E Primary School All Day Fold Road, Stoneclough, Radcliffe, M26 1EU Wednesday 19th March 2014 Pikes Lane Primary School, All Day Gibraltor Street, Bolton, BL3 5HU Thursday 10th April 2014 St Paul’s C of E Primary School All Day Newnham St , Bolton, BL1 8QA 1.2 THE STRUCTURE OF THE DAY

Proposed Schedule of the Day

The structure of the day is flexible as several candidates will be interviewed during the day. There are several aspects to the interview process and it is expected that the interview will be completed by approximately 4.15pm.

A typical day will look as follows,

8.30 Arrival Refreshments on arrival. Checking of all documentation / certificates.

9.00 Welcome Introduction to the School Direct Programme

9.30 Task 1 Subject knowledge tasks

10.20 Task 2 Academic writing task

11.05 Break One to one interview

12.00 Lunch

1.10 Task 4 Working with children in classrooms

2.00 Task 5 Teaching task Interview tasks 1. Subject Knowledge Test – 45 minutes You will complete a written test containing multiple-choice questions each for English, Mathematics, and Science. It will relate to the knowledge required of trainee teachers and will be set at approximately Level 6 of the National Curriculum. This is below the levels required during the programme and related national assessments, so you will be expected to work quickly and to score high marks. No spelling aids or calculators will normally be allowed.

Questions will sample your knowledge of the listed topics:

English Mathematics You will be given a short text and asked You will be given a short test which may about the author’s use of written English, include: including:  the number system (integers,  identifying and explaining the fractions, decimals, indices) author’s use of certain styles or  mental calculations with the above features  multiples, factors and ratios  explaining the meaning of the  number sequences whole text and individual words  linear equations and inequalities  identifying parts of speech and  interpreting graphs and co- types of sentence ordinates  identifying word structures  properties of shapes  identifying errors of spelling,  measurement (common grammar and punctuation calculations and imperial/metric units) During the rest of your interview you must  interpreting statistical data also speak and write clearly and correctly,  calculating probabilities using Standard English and cursive handwriting.

Science Notes  how to carry out investigations and interpret results  Life Systems (biology) o the functioning of organisms o continuity and change o ecosystems  Materials and their Structure (chemistry)

o particles o compounds and reactions o changes of state  Physical Processes (physics) o electricity and magnetism o energy, forces and motion o light and sound o the Earth and beyond

2. Academic Writing Test – 45 minutes You will respond to a short extract providing a written response.

Note dictionaries are not permitted.

3. Classroom Activity You will be allocated a class to work with under the class teacher’s direction. You will not be expected to plan anything for this session. However, the interview panel will be interested to see how proactive you are in this situation and how you can quickly develop relationships with the children.

4. Leading Learning Activity

You should prepare a ten minute literacy based activity around a book which you will use to lead a small group of children (you will receive guidance before your interview in relation to the age group of your children). You should produce a plan for your session which can be shared with the interview panel. You may bring additional resources to be used as part of your teaching activity.

Further guidance in relation to this task will NOT be provided; this is your opportunity to demonstrate your flair, imagination and initiative, which are key skills for a primary teacher.

Enjoy this part of the day, it is your opportunity to demonstrate that you already possess all the skills and qualities required to be an outstanding early years teacher.

5. Individual Interview This is the final stage of the interview and selection process and is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the nature and needs of young learners and your commitment to meeting these needs as a primary teacher. 1.3 WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU Photo Identification

You will be required to bring photographic identification to your interview. Any candidate not able to show photographic identification on their interview day will not be able to proceed to interview. Qualifications

Please bring with you original and photocopies of certificates, if already achieved:

a. your degree, or degree equivalent qualification to include a transcript of modules achieved; b. GCSE English Language, Mathematics & Science at grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications c. Confirmation that you have passed the national Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy if already attained. Please see page 13 for further information regarding the tests. d. any portfolios, samples of work and other materials that can demonstrate your suitability for the programme

Please note, we will not have photocopying facilities available on the day, so it is important that you bring copies as well as your original certificates.

Please note:

 If you have changed your name since the certificates were issued, please provide evidence (e.g. a copy of your marriage certificate, change of name deed) and advise us of this when you hand in your photocopies

 If you do not bring photocopies of your certificates on the day and the decision of the panel is to offer you a place, we will withhold the offer until we have verification of your original certificates For your interview – please ensure you are fully prepared and able to commence the written elements of the stage 1 interview and practical elements of stage 2 of the interview. 1.4 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR LEARNING DIFFICULTIES Applicants with disabilities or learning difficulties should note that the decision to offer a place on a course of Initial Teacher Training is made only on the selection criteria outlined in this booklet. However, you should note the following:

 If you normally have additional time for examinations or tests, or large font type, or any other specific arrangements, please inform the Admissions Office by completing the online form. Please provide a copy of your LA ‘statement’ or a letter from your school, college or employer to confirm that additional time for tests is a requirement. If you require a BSL interpreter, it is important that you tell us about this and that you allow at least 5 working days for us to locate one for you. Unfortunately, there is a very limited supply of suitably qualified BSL interpreters and, therefore, the demand for these is high.

 Given the need for all trainee teachers to communicate clearly in spoken and written Standard English and to have excellent presentational skills, you should ensure that you have fully explored for yourself any issues in relation to teaching arising from your disability or learning difficulty, and have thought through any coping strategies and/or adjustments which will need to be made in the workplace to assist you. Please note that discussions about adaptations to the workplace would normally take place after an offer has been made to assist us in placing you in a school/setting, but you should begin your thinking about this as soon as possible.

 If you would like any confidential advice or information on Edge Hill University’s student support services for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact the following staff:

Inclusion Team Telephone: 01695 584190/ 01695 584746

Email: [email protected]

1.5 INTERVIEW OUTCOMES You will not be informed of the outcome of your interview on the day. You will be informed of the decision by the Admissions Office as soon as the University is in a position to commit to an offer of a place. Please note decisions will not be given over the telephone – you will be advised in writing only. All decisions will be transmitted to UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) which will update your UTT Track in real time.

If You Are Successful

Edge Hill University, along with all providers of Initial Teacher Training, are not permitted to make any formal offers to applicants until we receive formal notification of our student number allocations from the Teaching Agency. We will commence interviewing applicants before the allocations are received, therefore you may find that you will have to wait a number of weeks or months to receive a decision. If your interview is successful and you are made an offer, you will be notified in writing. The letter will advise you to login to UTT Track to check the specific conditions of your offer. If you have any queries regarding your offer conditions, you must contact the Admissions Officer immediately and certainly within 10 working days of the date on the offer letter. If you are successful, we will send you brief feedback on your interview tests and you will access an electronic copy of a pre-course booklet with advice on how to prepare for your course in the intervening months. We will also hold a pre-course day, during which we will give you more information about your course and the preparations that you should make for it.

If You Are Not Successful Don't despair. A rejection does not mean that we think you would not become a good teacher. It merely means that, on the interview day, other candidates showed even more strengths than you did. You are welcome to apply again next year, if you can show that you have improved by, for example, gaining more experience or undertaking additional study. Every year, some people are successful at their second or third attempt. If you are unsuccessful, we will send you brief interview feedback including test grades, an indication of the selection criteria that most influenced the panel's decision, and any advice that the panel felt able to offer you. PGCE Admissions Tutors can not offer you further feedback on your interview, but will gladly comment on any constructive proposals that you make for improving your application next year. Professional Skills Tests All candidates who are offered a place will need to have passed both numeracy and literacy Professional Skills Tests tests before the course starts. It is important that you assess when you are ready to sit the tests and do not rush into too many attempts too soon. Edge Hill University offers free support sessions which are ideal if you feel you need extra tuition. We recommend, however, that you make at least one attempt to pass the tests by 30th June. This will help you to assess whether you need to attend the support sessions and give you time for extra revision if you do not pass first time around. Applicants who have passed their tests prior to attending an interview should bring confirmation of the pass to the interview. Further information will be sent to applicants who reach the interview stage. Applicants who have passed their tests prior to attending an interview should bring confirmation of the pass to the interview. Please note the tests do not replace the GCSE grade C equivalence entry requirement. For more information on Professional Skills Tests, visit our website or the Department for Education website.

Accepting Your Offer

Teacher Training Programmes at Edge Hill University and its partner institutions are predicated on the principle that as an aspiring teacher you will receive the highest quality experience at Edge Hill to enable you to have opportunities to be an excellent teacher. As you study on your Primary PGCE programme, you will be placed in settings that will provide you with a depth and breadth of experience. Edge Hill will provide you with a number of Professional Practice settings that may be geographically diverse and that will, across the duration of the programme, provide you with an appropriate curriculum, age phase and learner- based experience.

If you accept the offer of a place then it is essential that you ensure that all documentation in relation to you being legally able to train within educational settings, is provided by you within 3 weeks of you receiving documentation from Edge Hill University’s Admissions Department including:  Having obtained a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure  Ensuring that all medical paperwork is completed.  Evidence of passing the Professional Skills Tests in Numeracy and Literacy

If you have lived abroad for 3 months then you may need to obtain a criminal record check from the country/ countries that you resided in. Please contact [email protected] for information.

Note You will not be able to do any training in an educational setting unless you are: medically cleared, have Edge Hill DBS clearance, have passed the Professional Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy and have fully enrolled as a trainee at Edge Hill University.

Further note, if your interview is taking place within 10 weeks of the commencement of the programme then you will have been advised to bring all documentation to the interview. If your interview is successful, then we will endeavour to process the DBS check immediately but there is no guarantee that it will be processed in time for your first placement. If this is the case, then you will supported in starting your placement later than your peers.

When accepting an offer please note:

Note, professional practices will be allocated according to your specific training needs and are not decided on geographical location.

Further note, you will be expected to drive/travel on public transport to your professional practices settings and you must be prepared that this may involve travelling some distance. We may provide some reimbursement for travel to and from training. There is no set criterion for what is/could be deemed as a reasonable journey (this could mean several hours travel). Please see the Faculty travel policy for more details.

Final note, Travel will be via car or public transport (please refer to the Trainee travel and accommodation policy). It is your responsibility to ensure that you are able to get to your professional practice by the time required each day. If you are allocated a distance placement we will provide either accommodation or travel as appropriate. 2 ADMISSIONS INFORMATION Additional notes to applicants who are subsequently made an offer after interview: In order to ensure your smooth entry to Edge Hill University and your professional training programme, it is important that you adhere to the national criteria for entry to the profession by following guidance notes issued by the DfE/TA/UTT/Edge Hill Prospectus and requests from Edge Hill and that you are: a) able to comply with the requirements of the offer sent to you and any other requests as soon as they are asked for and certainly by no later than 31st August or an agreed date b) able to meet the national requirements for full clearance to work with children in respect of the Police Act and the health standards to enter the profession c) able to comply with any changes in the national requirements for those starting programmes of initial teacher training from September 2014 d) responsible for completing all forms sent to you and the prompt return of the forms

If you are having difficulties locating previous GCSE examination results/certificates it is important that you initiate a search on receipt of the offer either by or through contacting your previous school/college or the relevant examination boards. Please be aware that search fees are in place and searches take a number of weeks to complete.

We have listed below some of the examination boards:

Assessment and qualifications Alliance (AQA)

Guildford for NEAB,AEB,JMB,SEG Stag Hill House Guildford GU2 7XJ Tel 01483 506506 Fax 01483 Surrey 300152 e.mail: [email protected] website: www.aqa.org.

Manchester AQA Devas Street Manchester M15 6EX Tel 0161 953 1180 Fax 0161 273 75 e.mail : [email protected] website www.aqa.org.uk

Edexcel Foundation Stewart House 32 Russell Square London WC1B 5DN Tel: 0870 240 9800 Fax: 0207 758 6960 e.mail: [email protected] website: www.edexcel.org.uk

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) Head Office 1 Regent Street Cambridge CB2 1GG Tel: 01223 552552 Fax: 01223 552553 e.mail: [email protected] website: www.ocr.org.uk Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) 245 Western Ave Cardiff CF5 2YX Tel: 029 2026 5000 Fax: 029 2057 5994 e.mail: [email protected] Website: www.wjec.co.uk

Failure to comply with this could result in you having to take and achieve a satisfactory standard in the Edge Hill special tests.

For applicants who have any doubts about complying with the national requirements to train as a teacher or Edge Hill University’s offer, it is important that you are aware of the financial and enrolment implications of this when joining the professional training programme:

a) Provisional / Partial enrolment only will be undertaken

b) Limited access to IT and other learning facilities

c) Restrictions in being allowed into schools

d) Financial support will be withheld

e) That Edge Hill University has the right to cancel an application if it is subsequently found that information has been omitted or false statements made on the application form.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Admissions Unit is here to help and assist you. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact us (telephone 01695 650950). As soon as a decision following your interview is made, the decision will be immediately transmitted to the UTT which you will be able to see instantly. If your status has not changed this means that a decision has not yet been made. Please always check the status of your UTT application before contacting the University.

We do hope that you accept our invitation to attend, enjoy the experience and find that it helps you to make a considered and informed decision on your future plans.

Disclaimer

Edge Hill University makes every effort to ensure that this information is accurate at the time of publication. Edge Hill University reserves the right to change or discontinue any course, programme or module, or the specific content thereof or to amend any other information without notice. Edge Hill University does not accept any liability arising out of or in connection with any such changes.

PLEASE BRING THIS BOOKLET WITH YOU ON THE DAY