Congratulations on being invited to an interview!
We are delighted to invite you to an interview for the Primary Initial Teacher Education (PITE) course at the University of Worcester.
Below you will find information on:
Key features of the PITE course at Worcester
The University of Worcester has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality innovative and contemporary teacher training.
If you have any questions ahead of your interview, you can contact the team at pite@worc.ac.uk
Key features of this course
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) when you complete the course.
- Specialise in either 3-7 or 5-11 year-olds.
- The opportunity to carry out high quality placements in different schools to provide a broad yet personalised experience.
- Exceptional personal and academic support throughout the three years and beyond.
- Taught by expert lecturers and supported by experienced primary school teachers.
- Opportunities to engage in a diverse range of additional opportunities to enhance your development.
- Strong partnership with schools across a wide area to support your development as a teacher.
- This course will provide you with the knowledge and understanding required to teach all subjects within the National Curriculum.
- A placement in a non-educational setting to gain in- sight into the skills, knowledge and working of other education based professionals.
- School based research project into a specialist curriculum area in the third year.
- An emphasis on mental health and wellbeing for all.
"Whilst studying at the University of Worcester I have achieved more than I thought was possible. The support from all lecturers, the outstanding facilities and the number of extra opportunities has allowed me to excel as a student and reach my full potential as a primary school teacher."
Trainee
Preparing for your interview
To help you prepare for your interview, Prior to your interview we recommend you research some current primary education priorities (other than Covid). The TES website is a good place to start. During your interview there will be an opportunity to tell us about your research.
There is further information about the course available on our PITE course page which we recommend you look at prior to your interview too.
You may also find it useful to look at the Core Content Framework (CCF) and the Teachers’ Standards.
There will also be some forms and qualifications you need to upload ahead of attending the interview. You will be sent an email from our Admissions teams with a copy of the Self Declaration/Interview upload checklist and a document with upload links. Upload links last for 7 days but can be re-sent by Admissions if they expire; please use the link to submit the following documents:
- A completed self-declaration and interview checklist
- GCSE (or equivalent) Certificates for Maths, Science and English Language
- Evidence of any qualifications you may already have at Level 3 or above
If you can’t make the interview time/date that we’ve given you, don’t worry – you can email pite@worc.ac.uk to ask for an alternative day. It’s useful if you can include your UCAS personal ID/student number as well as your full name and the selection day/time that we’ve allocated to you.
"Our lecturers support us to be the best teachers we can be, emphasising and appreciating everyone’s individual strengths, skills and ideas."
Trainee
On the day
What to bring
You’ll need to show photographic ID at your interview, such as a driving licence or passport.
If you’re planning to drive to the interview, you can print out a parking permit to display in your car for free parking on the day. Wherever possible, we reserve Car Park R for the interviews so please feel free to remove the cones blocking this car park to drive in, and then replace the cones afterwards. If Car Park R has no spaces available, you can park in any of our other car parks – apart from Car Park A – with this permit.
It’s a good idea to bring a pen and paper along, in case you want to make any notes or jot down any questions.
We don’t require formal clothes for the interview, so please just wear what you’re comfortable in as you would wear day-to-day.
Arrival information
Your interview will take place at our St John’s Campus (WR2 6AJ).
We recommend aiming to arrive around 30 minutes before your interview, to allow enough time park, find your way across campus and sign in ahead of your interview.
If you’re driving to campus, you can print out a parking permit to display in your car for free parking in any of our car parks – apart from Car Park A – on the day. Download your parking permit.
During busy periods car parking can be limited on campus, so arriving early to find a space will help ensure you have plenty of time in hand.
Further information on how to get to the St John’s Campus is available on our website.
Once you’ve arrived on campus, please make your way to our Main Reception, in the Edward Elgar Building (just a few minutes’ walk from any of our car parks on the campus), where you’ll see a PITE Interview desk. One of our friendly student ambassadors will meet you there, sign you in and take you to the right room.
Format for the day
There will be three main elements to your interview:
- A short group task (no preparation required)
- A short individual task (no preparation required)
- A one-to-one interview. At this, you will be asked to respond to a variety of questions from tutors and school colleagues.
You will be expected to demonstrate:
- an understanding of the expectations of the role of a teacher;
- self-evaluation and personal reflection skills;
- a commitment to and an understanding of the demands of the course and teaching profession;
- a passion, enthusiasm and love for learning;
- an awareness of current educational initiatives/priorities;
- an understanding of the professional expectations of a trainee teacher
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask the PITE team any questions you have at the end of the interview too.
During the day, you’ll also get chance to take an optional campus tour, which will last around half an hour.
It’s a good idea to have a pen and paper with you, in case you want to make any notes or jot down any questions.
We don’t require formal clothes for the interview, so please just wear what you’re comfortable in as you would wear day-to-day.
"The knowledgeable and supportive lecturers help to build a wonderful course that allows us to qualify as unique, individual teachers who feel inspired to encourage all children in our care to achieve their full potential."
Trainee
After the interview
We inform each interviewee of the outcome of the interview by email, usually within 3-5 working days.
Entry Requirements
Successful candidates will be informed by UCAS of the offer conditions. In addition to the academic requirements, all offers will contain the following conditions:
- Satisfactory Medical Clearance
- Enhanced Disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service
Our Admissions department will send Medical Questionnaires and Enhanced Disclosure application forms to all applicants who have chosen the University of Worcester as a Firm (first) choice.