Interview Guidance Notes

Certificate of Higher Education

PGCE

in

Post-Compulsory Education and Training

2013 Entry

September 2012

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

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.

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

Contents

1. Arrival

2. Interview schedule

3. Interview Format

4. What to bring with you on the day

5. Decisions and entry to programme

6. Candidates with disabilities or Specific Learning

Difficulties

7. Admissions Information

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

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 Admissions Office, first floor of the

Student Information Centre, where our Admissions staff will collect your certificates and direct

you to the appropriate room 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, there is seating in the entrance foyer. Refreshments are available

to purchase in the Sages Café in The Hub.

2. Interview schedule

Arrival at the Admission Reception and hand in of certificates 15 minutes

Introductory presentation on the teacher training programmes for

Post-compulsory Education and Training (PCET) at Edge Hill;

Question and Answer Session.

30 minutes

Completion of essential administrative documents 15 minutes

Group activity followed by written task: you will be asked to

undertake a group activity with the other candidates. 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.

30 minutes

Individual interviews, including presentation 25 -30

minutes per

person

Candidates are free to leave after their interview (if all necessary

documents are completed and submitted).

Please note all

timings are

approximate.

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 group work, provide a presentation to

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

the panel and then be interviewed by a panel of two or more tutors in a face-to-face

situation. In particular we will be looking for:

confidence and enthusiasm; good communication and interpersonal skills;

reliability and adaptability; academic and/or professional achievements.

have the personal and intellectual qualities to contribute to, and benefit from, the programme;

have the ability to fulfil the academic and vocational requirements of the programme.

Advice on specific question areas is given below.

3.1 Group Activity and Written Exercise

You will be asked to undertake a group activity with the other candidates 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 group activity will involve achieving a collaborative solution to a given problem. It will

allow us to consider your self-confidence and your communication skills, including both

initiating and receiving. 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 .. [your chosen topic] … to … [your learners] ‘

The presentation should last about 7 minutes and you should use some resources, e.g.

handouts, powerpoint, examples of learning materials.

It is not an extract from the lesson itself, but a description of how you would intend to

teach your chosen topic within a lesson.

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.

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

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 the secondary sector.

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.

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

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

You must bring a copy of the completed CV form already sent electronically to the

Administration and Partnership Manager, Russell Sugden (russell.sugden@edgehill.ac.uk ). This is

given to your Interviewing Tutor, not the Admissions Office. The CV template is provided together

with an exemplar and guidance notes through this link: www.edgehill.ac.uk/interviewguidance

A high quality CV is a critical element in securing the best possible professional practice placement

for you. Please ensure you use this template and follow the guidelines.

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 the link: www.edgehill.ac.uk/interviewguidance

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.

Edge Hill University has not yet received confirmation of the number of places

allocated for 2011/12. Until this information becomes available, any offer of a

place will be conditional upon formal allocation of contracted numbers and

associated funding by the Funding Council.

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

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 DfE/TDA/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 qualifications Guildford

Alliance (AQA) Stag Hill House Tel 01483 506506

for NEAB,AEB,JMB,SEG Guildford Fax 01483 300152

Surrey e.mail: postmaster@aqa.org.uk

GU2 7XJ website: www.aqa.org.uk

Manchester

AQA Tel 0161 953 1180

Devas Street Fax 0161 273 7572

Manchester e.mail : postmaster@aqa.org.uk

M15 6EX website www.aqa.org.uk

Edexcel Foundation Stewart House Tel: 0870 240 9800

32 Russell Square Fax: 0207 758 6960

London e.mail: enquiries@edexcel.org.uk

WC1B 5DN website: www.edexcel.org.uk

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Head Office Tel: 01223 552552

Examinations (OCR) 1 Regent Street Fax: 01223 552553

Cambridge e.mail: helpdesk@ocr.org.uk

CB2 1GG website: www.ocr.org.uk

Welsh Joint Education 245 Western Ave Tel: 029 2026 5000

Committee (WJEC) Cardiff Fax 029 2057 5994

CF5 2YX e.mail: exams@wjec.co.uk

Website: www.wjec.co.uk

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:

The Inclusion Team

Telephone: 01695 584190

01695 584746

Email: inclusiveservices@edgehill.ac.uk

Cert. H.E & PGCE PCET 2011 - 2012

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 Rycroft

Admissions Officer, PCET