Interview Guidance Notes
Certificate of Higher Education
PGCE
in
Further Education and Training
2014 Entry
September 2013 (amended July 2014)
Mission Statement
Edge Hill University provides an innovative, high quality and inclusive learning experience underpinned by a commitment to the advancement, dissemination and application of knowledge. As a learning-led University, Edge Hill is dedicated to developing students as skilled autonomous learners in challenging and supportive environments.
Values
Edge Hill University seeks in all its relations to be:
- Open, honest and professional
- Supportive and welcoming
- Forward looking
- and to respect and value diversity.
Vision
Edge Hill University is a higher education institution seeking to provide an innovative, high quality and inclusive learning experience underpinned by a commitment to the advancement, dissemination and application of knowledge. Edge Hill University is dedicated to developing individuals as skilled and autonomous learners in challenging and supportive environments.
Equal Opportunities
Edge Hill aims to provide an institutional environment which is welcoming; and which values and affirms the positive contributions of all its members.
Edge Hill 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.
A full copy of our equal opportunities statement is available from the Enquiries Unit on 01695 584274.
Contents
- Arrival
- Interview schedule
- Interview Format
- What to bring with you on the day
- Decisions and entry to programme
- Candidates with disabilities or Specific Learning Difficulties
- Admissions Information
Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2014
1. Arrival
Unless notified otherwise your interview will take place at Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP.
When you arrive on campus, please report to the Main Reception, where our Reception staff will direction you to the registration point. Our Admissions staff will collect your certificates and arrange for you to transfer to the venue for the introductory talk. Please arrive 15 minutes before the given interview time to allow for this.
Car Parking on Campus
For candidates attending interviews on a weekday, on-campus parking is likely to be extremely limited given the record number of students we recruited last year. We would strongly advise candidates to travel by public transport wherever possible. There is an Edge Hill bus which runs from the bus station in Ormskirk to the Edge Hill campus every 15 minutes.
If you do travel by car, we have included a parking permit with your interview invitation. Please display this on your dashboard as you enter the campus main entrance, so that it is clearly visible to our parking attendants. They will then direct you to the nearest available space, if any are available. We must emphasise that possession of the parking permit does not guarantee you a space and we are not in a position to guarantee parking spaces will be available on any given day.
If you choose to arrive earlier than the given time, there is seating in Hub where refreshments are available to purchase.
2. Interview schedule
- Arrival at the Admission Reception and hand in of certificates.
- Transfer to Faculty of Education
- Introductory presentation on the teacher training programmes for Post-compulsory Education and Training (PCET) at Edge Hill.
Question and Answer Session. - Completion of essential administrative documents
- Interactive activity followed by written task: you will be asked to undertake a group activity with other candidates and/or current trainees. On completion of the task you will be asked to write a short evaluation of your performance. Both of these elements will be assessed towards the decision to offer you a place on the programme.
- Individual interviews, including presentation.
- Candidates are free to leave after their interview (if all necessary documents are completed and submitted).
Please note all timings are approximate.
Each panel may consider up to 3 candidates and so you may need to wait to be interviewed. We would advise that you allow up to 3 ½ hours on site. Please note refreshments are not provided.
3. Format of the Interview
Candidates will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that they have an enthusiasm for teaching in the post-compulsory and would be likely to adopt a positive, professional approach to their work. You will undertake some interactive work with others, provide a presentation to the panel and then be interviewed by two or more tutors in a face-to-face situation. In particular we will be looking for:
- Knowledge of the sector, your curriculum and typical learners;
- confidence and enthusiasm with very good communication and interpersonal skills;
- reliability and adaptability – the capacity to reflect and improve;
- the ability to fulfil the academic and vocational requirements of the programme.
Advice on specific question areas is given below.
3.1 Interactive Activity and Written Exercise
You will be asked to undertake an interactive activity with the other candidates and/or existing trainees and to write a short evaluation of your performance. Both of these elements will be assessed towards the decision to offer you a place on the programme.
The interactive activity will involve a collaborative exploration of a current issue in the PCET sector. It may draw on a news item or may seek your ideas about engaging with the sector. It will allow us to consider your self-confidence and your communication skills, including both initiating discussion and receiving ideas from others. On completion of the task you will be asked to write a short evaluation of your contribution.
While GCSEs are not a specific entrance requirement, achievement of the Minimum Core of Language, Numeracy and ICT is a pre-requisite for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS). We will be looking for your potential to demonstrate Level 2 skills (i.e. GCSE equivalent) in these areas during the course.
To this end, a satisfactory level of written English will be needed for the Written Exercise. We will expect few, if any, errors in spelling, punctuation or grammar and an ability to convey content clearly.
3.2 Short Presentation
At the start of the interview you will provide a short presentation on the following:
‘An outline of how to teach .. [a chosen topic] … to … [your learners] ‘
The presentation should last about 7 minutes and you should use some resources, e.g. hand-outs, PowerPoint, examples of learning materials.
It is not an extract from the lesson itself, but a description of how you would intend to teach a chosen topic from within your specialist subject area.
We do not expect the presentation to have all the knowledge and skills about planning lessons – that’s what the course is for. What we will look for is your ability to be organised, to show strong subject knowledge, to think how the topic could be delivered so that learning will happen and to communicate to the panel using some resources.
While there is some latitude in the time available you will be stopped after 10 minutes so you are strongly advised to have practised and timed your presentation in advance.
3.3 Discussion
You can expect questions to cover the following areas:
3.3.1 PCET as a career
If you are an in-service candidate we will ask you about your experience so far, how this that has informed the work you do and where you see a career in PCET taking you.
For pre-service candidates we will ask you to discuss your plans to work in the sector, including consideration of your qualifications and experience and how these offer a prospect of employment in the sector on completing the course. You are expected to have been in contact with a college or training provider, ideally by having made a visit or talking to staff and students in other ways, so that you are well informed about the sector.
For pre-service candidates it is very important that you are clear about the career opportunities in the post-compulsory sector as opposed to school settings.
3.3.2 Your ability to benefit from the course
We will be looking for you to convey awareness of what the course offers in relation to your current standing, either in-service or pre-service. Knowledge of issues and challenges within the sector will be considered. You should be able to show how your academic or vocational achievements have prepared you for study at Cert. H.E. level or PGCE level. You may be asked questions about some basic approaches to teaching and learning.
3.3.3 Evidence of your capacity to respond to feedback
Questions will encourage you to show you are an effective learner who listens to feedback and improves performance. You might consider examples of where you have developed reflection and evaluation through experience. This will also include discussion of your presentation.
4. What to bring with you on the day
Please bring with you anything you need to make notes of the presentation or during the interview: pen and paper or tape recorder if necessary. If you need another person to be present to assist you in anyway please let us know.
You will be also 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.
4.1 Evidence of qualifications to demonstrate required standard for entry
Please bring with you original and photocopies of certificates already achieved:
For Cert. H.E. A minimum Level 3 qualification in your professional area, i.e. NVQs, National Diplomas, Advanced Craft Certificates or similar from C&G, BTEC, RSA, OCR, VCTC, CITB etc.
For PGCE Your degree certificate if completed, or evidence of your current studies and completion date if you are to graduate this year.
Admissions staff will check your copied certificates against your originals and sign them as a true copy to be kept on your file. You will be able to take your original certificates home with you on the day. 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 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
4.2 Essential evidence of compliance with Professional Practice requirements
Pre-service candidates
A high quality CV is a critical element in securing the best possible professional practice placement for you. Please complete the CV template that is provided here:
There is an exemplar and guidance notes available through this link. Please ensure you make use of these.
You must send a copy of the completed CV form to the Administration and Partnership Manager, and bring a copy with you to the interview. This is given to your Interviewing Tutor, not to the Admissions Office.
In-service candidates
You must bring two copies of the completed Confirmation of In-service Status form. One is given to your Interviewing Tutor and one to the Admissions Office.
Please follow this link to download this in-service form:
5. Decisions and entry to programme
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.
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.
Any offer of a place will be conditional upon formal allocation of contracted numbers and associated funding by the Funding Council.
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 NCTL/IfL together with requests from Edge Hill and that you:
a) comply with the requirements of the offer sent to you and any other requests within the time scale given.
b) are 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) comply with any changes in the national requirements for those starting programmes of post-compulsory education and training in September 2011
d) take responsibility for:
(i) completing all forms sent to you and the prompt return of the forms
(ii) contacting your academic referee, if requested to do so, to arrange for a reference to be sent or faxed to the Admissions Unit on 01695 584628. (The decision on your application will be delayed until we are in receipt of this.)
(iii) providing the Admissions Unit with academic qualifications or examination results as soon as they are known
(iv) completing formal application through UCAS/GTTR if appropriate
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 qualificationsGuildford
Alliance (AQA)Stag Hill HouseTel01483 506506
for NEAB,AEB,JMB,SEGGuildfordFax01483 300152
Surreye.mail: GU2 7XJ website:
Manchester
AQATel0161 953 1180
Devas StreetFax0161 273 7572
Manchestere.mail:
M15 6EXwebsite
Edexcel FoundationStewart HouseTel:0870 240 9800
32 Russell SquareFax:0207 758 6960
Londone.mail:
WC1B 5DNwebsite:
Oxford Cambridge and RSAHead OfficeTel:01223 552552
Examinations (OCR)1 Regent StreetFax:01223 552553
Cambridgee.mail:
CB2 1GGwebsite:
Welsh Joint Education245 Western AveTel:029 2026 5000
Committee (WJEC)CardiffFax029 2057 5994
CF5 2YXe.mail:
Website:
For applicants who have not complied with the national requirements to train as a teacher or any requirement of Edge Hill’s offer by the time the course starts it is important that you are aware of the financial and enrolment implications, as follows:
a) Only Provisional / Partial enrolment will be possible
b) There will be limited access to IT and other learning facilities
c) There will be restricted access to professional practice placements.
d) Financial support will be withheld
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 584637). For applicants using UCAS/GTTR the decision, once made, will be immediately transmitted to UCAS/GTTR 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 application before contacting the University. Certificate in H. E. part time candidates will be advised directly.
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.
6. Students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties
Applicants with disabilities or specific learning difficulties should note that the decision to offer a place on the course 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 contact the Admissions Office using the reply form provided with your letter of invitation. Please provide a copy of your Local Authority ‘statement’ or a letter from your school, college or employer to confirm that additional time for tests is a requirement.
- If you would like any confidential advice or information on Edge Hill’s student support services for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact the Inclusion Team: (details over page).
The Inclusion Team / Telephone:01695 584190
01695 584746
Email:
7. Admissions Information
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.
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 about your future plans. On completion of your interview, we may ask you to complete an evaluation on your interview experience to help us to continue to improve the quality of what we do at Edge Hill.
We look forward to meeting you on the day and hope that the interview goes well for you.
John Dickinson
Lead Admissions Tutor, PCET
Imogen Shuttleworth
Admissions Officer, PCET
Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2014