Essential preparation for your interview: PGCE Secondary (11-16) Science (Biology) with QTS*

This page has been created to give you all the information that you will need for your interview process. The majority of interviews will be taking place online. Face to face interviews can be accommodated to facilitate accessibility if required. For further information please get in touch with [email protected].

Important information

• You should now have received an email from our Admissions Team with the date and time of your interview along with your individual Microsoft Teams link. If you do not think you have received this, please contact our Admissions Team [email protected].
• You need to confirm that you will be available for your interview by completing our interview reply form.
• Your interview will be conducted remotely using the Microsoft Teams App. If you do not already have Microsoft Teams, you can download this online. Download from the App Store here or Download from Google Play here. If you are unable to connect within ten minutes of the start of your interview, the interviewers will end the session, and you will need to contact our Admissions Team to reschedule.
• Please familiarise yourself with Microsoft Teams before your online interview. There are useful guides on YouTube to assist you.
• You should allow approximately 50 minutes for the online interview process.
• There are preparatory tasks you will need to complete for your interview. Details are provided underneath ‘Essential Interview Preparation’
• Please have to hand your original photographic ID (i.e. current valid passport or photo-card driving licence). Your ID will be checked prior to the start of your interview.
• The interview has been structured in such a way as to enable you to demonstrate your commitment to becoming a teacher and your enthusiasm for your subject and education more generally.

Essential interview preparation

During your interview you will be asked to present for 3 minutes on how you would teach a Key Stage 3 pupil about plant and animal cells and the differences between them.

In preparation for this you can opt to put together a short presentation (such as PowerPoint), or share your ideas without a presentation during your interview. 

Your presentation is an opportunity for you to demonstrate:

• Subject knowledge
• An understanding of key concepts in your subject
• An understanding of skills and application in your subject
• Appropriate communication skills

What we’re looking for

During the interview process we will be looking for you to demonstrate:

• A commitment to and enthusiasm for working with children and/or young people at the secondary (11-16) phase
• Strong communication skills
• The personal attributes and values required to train as a teacher
• The ability to reflect on experiences and the learning taken from these.
• Suitability to work with children and young people

Things to do before your online interview

It is essential that you:

1. Have prepared for your presentation.
2. Have suitable identification so we can verify your identity (for example, your passport or driving licence). If you do not have suitable ID at the interview stage, we will not be able to interview you and your interview will be rescheduled.
3. have your individual Microsoft Teams link ready. Please contact our Admissions Team [email protected] if you have not received this.
4. dress appropriately. You are not expected to be in formal wear, however you should present yourself as a future professional and take care to be in a suitable location for your interview. This should be somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed.
5. are able to take part in the interview with a stable WIFI connection and working microphone and camera. We cannot interview applicants who do not have a camera as we need to verify your identity.
6. have read all the information on this preparation page and made a note of the items you need to have with you and any questions that you want to ask during your online interview.
7. have thought about, and can explain, why you want to teach children and young adults from the secondary age range and, in particular, why you wish to teach your particular subject.
8. have read educational publications to familiarise yourself with current educational issues. Useful publications include:
   • The Guardian Educational Supplement (published weekly)
   • The Independent Educational Supplement (published weekly)
   • The Times Education Supplement (published weekly)
   • Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)
9. Read the National Curriculum (or equivalent) for your subject and any GCSE specifications so you know what you will be expected to teach.
10. Explore examples of GCSE examination requirements for your subject and identified areas for further development in your subject knowledge.

What to have with you

Any questions?

We look forward to meeting you for your online interview.

If you have any questions or special requirements that you would like to discuss with us prior to your interview you can contact us in the following ways: