Interview for teacher training - quick question please!

[Haribosmummy]

Hi,

I have my interview for teacher training on 10th July at my first choice college.

I'll be 36 weeks pregnant at the time of the interview.

I'm applying for a modular / flexible course which will fit in with my children, so i don't think the fact I'm pregnant will harm my interview chances... BUT... what should I wear?

I'd feel more comfortable in a tunic and trousers / leggings, but not sure if that's too casual and whether I should get a maternity work suit for the interview?

Anyone got any advice?

thanks, HM

I wouldn't wear a suit, wear what you would wear in the classroom. I went for a PGCE interview and some people were wearing very outlandish clothes but most people were smart/casual - a nice top and trousers and some nice jewelry. The tunic and trousers sound fine.

I would wear a suit.

How long will your interview be? Mine was about an hour. Maternity suits are not too uncomfortable, are they? There is comfort to be had in knowing you are smartly dressed.

Good luck.

I wouldn't wear a suit and so late in your pregnancy it would be a waste of money. I also wouldn't sontemplate leggings though!

Smart trousers and a tunic top should be fine.

Good luck.

you wil be judged far more on what yuo say than what you wear. Be smart and confident adn you'll be fine. Good luck!

contemplate - where did that 's' come from?!

I agree, as long as you are smartly dressed I don't think a suit is necessary. Good luck with your interview!

Ah, thanks guys....

The 'comfort' thing is because I'm happy wearing the trousers (they are the sort you would wear for work) and tunic and I think I'll feel less self concious.

I'm feeling a bit odd about it, because I went for a PhD interview just before DS was born and the interviewer might as well just have turned on his heels the minute he saw my bump. He wasn't interested at all in my experience. He didn't want a new mum in his dept. But, I think teacher training is a different kettle of fish...

I'm specialising in chemistry and have a BSc and a MSc, plus I've worked as an industrial chemist for over 10 years, so subject matter is fine.. and I've really made an effort to spend time in schools, so feel OK about that too.

I've just found the work place a much tougher and less friendly place since becoming a mum, so I really want to make the right impression.

Thanks again!

They'll bite your hand off if you are offering chemistry

Tunic and trousers sounds ideal.

That's what I'm hoping, heated, that's what I'm hoping!

And if you can offer Chemistry AND Physics, they'd more than likely bite off both hands and a large chunk of arm as well.

Too many Biologists in secondary Science departments!

Well, I was thinking of chemistry and biology, but I could hold my own in Physics.

Do you think I might be able to do a deal where I get to keep my arms but they take a good deal of thigh / butt????

Lol Haribo & Janeite

Keep us informed about how you get on or if you need any help with interview prep.

Thanks heated that is very kind of you!

I've got an up-to-date copy of the curriculum (KS4) for chemistry and I think there is an English test and Maths test too, but these are just to GCSE standard, so I don't think they will be too hard.

The only other worrying thing at the mo is that the grant, which I thought was a given for anyone studying to become a teacher, now appears to be means tested... If that happens, my plans might be scuppered anyway, as I need the grant to cover fees and childcare... It's a long story which I don't want to go into on MN, but I'm rich in theory and skint in prctice, so if I don't qualify for any help with fees and childcare, then I'm not going to be able to take up a place anyway!

Weirdly, no-one mentioned that I'd have to apply for funding help until today

you should get a tax free £9000 bursary for the training, plus you can apply for a student loan for your fees, but yes i think anything above that is means tested advice here

But the £9K is a given? that's what I'm banking on, to pay for the fees and for the childcare I'll need...

yes the 9k is a given tda but it may be reduced pro-rata if you are going to take more than a year to complete. Contact the tda, they will give the answer - the money is paid to institutions for them to pay to every trainee teacher on eligible course, so tda will not be impressed if trainees not getting it!

Thankyou duckyfuzz - that's really appreciated!

good luck with the interview