interview for PGCE looming - any hot topics in education i should look at?

[Constantlycooking]

I have an interview for a PGCE (Primary) in 2 days. Are there any burning issues I should be aware of? (hoping my brain has not turned to mush - i haven't had any kind of interview for - gulp - 16 years!)

Actually, this is research! I had some ideas of current issues, but thought that I might have missed some, so I asked the advice of MNetters many of whom are teachers/involved in education in some way. They gave me ideas and I found our more information. What is your definition of research?

You will need to develop a thick skin and better grammar if you are going to be a teacher!

This won't come out very well as it's taken from a Word doc, but here are some questions and notes on responses that we used when we appointed our head recently. You may get a few ideas.

Research 'Every child matters' - it's the latest 'buzz phrase!'.

Teaching and
Learning KEY WORDS
EXPECTATIONS NOTES/COMMENTS

1. What does outstanding teaching look like and how you will help all staff to achieve this?

All children engaged in learning task and making progress, enjoyment by pupils and teacher, collaboration, pupils? self assessing, challenge, cross curricular links, ICT, imaginative use of resources including TAs, well planned. Quality outcomes.
Successful candidate talked of a ?hum? in the classroom ? children focussed and active not passive learners

1. How would you ensure that the needs of the whole ability range are being met?

More able students.
Celebrate success for all children.
Intervention programmes ? impact/relevance, external help/advice.
Effective monitoring.
Assessing impact.
Unsuccessful candidate fixated on SEN and had to be prompted to talk about more able children

1. How have you ensured the ?Every Child Matters? agenda has impacted on provision for all pupils in your current school?

Outline how provision changed, involvement & awareness of all staff in key agenda issues ? be safe, healthy, enjoy & achieve, contribution to community, economic well-being. Not tokenism but implicit in teaching & learning

If this is Newman college then:

how does your previous experience relate to eal?
are there any current issues in education you are aware of and how would this impact on you as an eal teacher?
how would you work in partnership with eal parents?

I'm suprised they haven't filled the course yet - apparently there were only 15 places and 2 of my friends have applied and been accepted so either they're being really picky or no-one's interested in EAL ( if that's the case because I think it's fascinating and wish I'd applied but thought I wouldn't stand a chance!)

Every child matters, and also suss out SEN and how you might plan to take account of differing ability levels in the classroom

hi everyone,
thank you for your feedback on the questions it is really useful. And thank you sadia, woow you are really luck you got a place. I am suprised they only allocate such a limited nymber of places.
i am revsising the questions and planning what i can say about eal, sen and ecm, and all the rest of it.

Unfortunatly I tend to fail one the maths, as I am weak at this.
what sort of maths questions do we have.? I am revsising the basics.
I belive it is primary teaching aswell as eal, not just eal in primary schools?

salmaa.

all that kinesthetic stuff is old hat it seems.
remember to mention fun
and interntational perspectives
emotional intelligence etc

Hi, Saadia,

I also wanted to ask you what type of essay question do they ask you?
hope you can help.

salma.

Salmaa the essay question we had was about why we would be a good teacher. I found the maths test quite tough but they said not to worry as they wouldn't reject people on the basis of the maths test but would just ask them to do some extra revision.

The main thing is to try and relax and not seem nervous (even though it is unavoidable). I just thought that if you look too nervous they might wonder how you would handle a class. Look the interviewer in the eye, smile, breathe deeply and the try and get your passion for education and how much you care for the children across. Think about your placement and try to bring up examples from that during the interview if you can.

Good luck, (I am really excited about starting the course - hope you are successful).

saadia, thank you soo much for the reply, it is extremely helpfull. woow You made me feel alot better.

Inshallah I am going to go and give it my best. I am feeling alot more positive about it now. I think its just the word "INTERVIEW" that frieghtens people.

I will let u know how I got on. Make duaa 4 me, Inshallah I pass.

Thank you.

I will Inshallah salmaaa

Again if this is newman it's primary with extra credits in EAL?

My test at Newman was basically year 6 maths - the 4 operations, percentages etc. The English one was very hot on spelling, punctuation, grammar etc but I don't know whether you'd have an extra one for EAL?

I've been accepted for Primary French there so I had a French test too.

salaaam saadia,

How r u? Unfortunatly I did not get a place, Although, they have said I am the first on the reserve list if anyone drops out.

I was good at the num and lit tests, presentation went well, they have not given me feedback as to why they did not offer me a place. I am going to enquire. I thought I did pretty well to be honest, i would have known if i didnt do well.

Thank you for your help. I do appreciate it.
salma x x x

Walaikumsalam salmaaa, I'm so sorry that you didn't get in but don't give up hope, it's good that you are on the reserve list and there is also Clearing so you might get a place that way.

When things don't go my way I try to think that there must be a reason, it will all work out for you Inshallah, try to stay positive and hopeful. I think it it would be helpful to get feedback. Have you considered the GTP route into teaching?

salaaam sadia,

Thank you for your kind reply.
Alhumdulilah im ok, I strongly belive whatever happnes, happens for the best. I think the first time when I applied in Nottingham and I didnt get it, that really upset me, but Now i can understand.

Inshallah something is waitintg, just need to be patient.

Yes I asked for feed back, i did 12 question on the maths and i passed 7, i didnt manage to finish them all.

I thought the only route into priamary teaching is PGCE i didnt no about GTP i thought that was for secondary teaching? i.a ill check it out.

goodluck to for this septemeber, i.a. i hope you pass, just be determined to do it, in the end it will be worth it.

look after yourself and thanks for the advice.

I will keep u informed if i get a place elsewere.

are you on facebook? if so let me know.
take care x x x