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Find the best training route for you - there are a few different options in your teaching journey so find the right programme for you.
There are also interview tips below!
Routes
PGCE
Will work through a university and you will apply via UCAS.
You will work in a school but also complete research and assignments alongside your teaching work.
SCITT/Schools Direct
Routes will have more school experience involved
you will have to interview with the school to then be attached to an institution
The institution will then handle the learning aspect of your training.
Experience
Schools appreciate if you have experience working with students/in an education setting
Schools like to see passion and experience in your subject area
Have experiences of team work/management/events - anything that will help you to support extra-curricular activities
Understand what is on a school curriculum and what is expected when it comes to teaching and values
Try to visit the school before your interview if you can to see what it is like and if it is a school you would like to work in - if you contact the school they can often arrange this
Interview (Part 1)
You will have to prepare a short lesson to deliver to a group of students. You will get a rough topic area and age group that you will deliver your lesson to. You often only have 20/30 minutes so you need to showcase your abilities in the best way possible.
Find something that is age appropriate and will interest them (don’t always go for something you know is on the curriculum - they will get excited when it is something new and fun)
Find tasks which are easy to manage but effective - don’t give yourself something that takes a lot of time to set up/explain. Get students engaged with easy explanations and quick interaction
Don’t be afraid to manage behaviour - students will be naughty, confront it gently and move on
Be energetic and fun, the more positive and engaging you can be the more memorable you will be
Try to remember some names of students - this will show you are listening and value the students even though you are only in front of them for a short time
Be prepared to explain your reasoning behind decisions you made in the lesson - you may get asked about this in your interview
Interview (Part 2)
Interview (Part 2)
You will also have a formal interview with the head teacher/SLT member and the head of department.
Be prepared to respond to hypothetical situations to do with lesson planning, classroom management and other day to day issues teachers may come across. Some may be more general and some will be more specific to you subject areas
Be reflective on who you are as a person and what you need to help you develop further as a teacher. Being a teacher is a very reflective role and you will need to constantly evaluate yourself, schemes of work and the students progress and how these can be adapted for improvement
You will be asked questions which ask you to apply your experience and reflect on whether you made the right choices or show your attitude towards students and staff - so consider who you are as a person and how you suit being a teacher
Use your teacher training/work experience to support your answers - have some key situations that you managed which can be applied to some different types of questions
Have questions to ask - always do your research on the school and department to understand your wider role as well as how you will fit in with the department. Ask about planning and development of schemes of work and if you have any ideas/events you would love to support or get up and running
STRUCTURE
It can be difficult to start writing a personal statement but knowing the structure can be a big help! Guidance on the things to include in a personal statement can support in getting over the writers block because it is all about you so you should be able to think of something. It is suggested to note down some ideas for each section before worrying about forming full sentences.
Some people even leave the first paragraph last! Whatever works for you!
Wellbeing
Wellbeing
Teaching is hard and you will have difficult days and you will have great days! Make sure you are looking after yourself during your training and early years.
Find a good person to have a moan with and find someone in the school who can support you with different aspects of the job
Make sure the school is willing to look after you and consider your needs as a teacher - you can say no to stuff if it means you are going to become overwhelmed
Don’t take on too much in your first year - give yourself time to settle in, master and refine your teaching skills and become the practitioner that you want to be. Once you have this then expand your involvement.
Teaching jobs tend to appear around the breaks in the school terms so keep an eye out on school websites/TES jobs.
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