What is the Selection Interview?

If you meet the programme entry criteria then we will invite you to an interview, so that we can assess your potential to train to teach.

We understand that interviews can seem daunting but they are an important part of the application process and are a good opportunity for you to tell us why you are interested in teaching, and to help you decide whether Durham teacher training is right for you. 

We want to put you at ease and help you to feel prepared, so we've put together some information below which lets you know what to expect from the interview process.

Why do I have to attend an interview?

As a teacher training provider we are required by the Department for Education (DfE) to interview prospective students in order to properly assess their potential to train to teach.  But it is also a really good opportunity for you to find out more about teacher training at Durham, and a valuable experience for the journey to qualified teacher status you are about to embark on. 

What are you looking for at interview?

We are looking for your potential to train to teach, not for the finished article. Reflecting this expectation, we expect to see;

• Your passion for teaching
• An appropriate professional approach
• Your personality and the unique character you will bring to the profession
• Confidence, energy and enthusiasm
• A growing awareness of what being a teacher involves
• A growing awareness of schools and expectation
• A growing awareness of curriculum requirements in England (DfE National Curriculum, click here for further details)

We will expect you to demonstrate you have relevant knowledge, including;

• Your own subject and age phase knowledge
• Your knowledge of the National Curriculum in England
• Your knowledge of safeguarding requirements in England
• An awareness of what schools in England are like and expect
• An emerging understanding of what teaching involves

We will expect you to demonstrate you have relevant skills, including ability to;

• Reflect on your own experience
• Communicate clearly
• Speak clearly and fluently using good Standard English (in any accent)
• Engage an appropriate audience
• Stay calm and clear in a friendly interview situation.

How should I prepare for my interview?

Your interviewers will do all they can to put you at ease – we are a very friendly team. It is important to try to relax and be yourself.

Planning and preparation can help you answer confidently and show your understanding, so you may find it beneficial to;

• find out about Teachers’ Standards and the National Curriculum
• familiarise yourself with current educational issues by reading weekly publications such as Schools Week, Guardian Educational Supplement or Independent Educational Supplement
• familiarise yourself about safeguarding by having an overview of Keeping Children safe in Education
• If possible, gain some school or educational setting experience to support your understanding and confidence. However, please note a lack of recent school experience is not a barrier to applying ,or gaining a place on an initial teacher education programme in England.

If you have not visited Durham before, we would also highly recommend that you come to see us and our beautiful city in person! If this is not possible, you can see how lovely Durham is via the official Durham tourism website https://www.thisisdurham.com.

Good luck and please do get in touch with us if you have any concerns or questions by emailing teacher.training@durham.ac.uk.

Quick links

Teacher Training || Teacher Training Pathways || BA Primary Education || PGCE

Application Process || Selection Interviews || Funding Opportunities || Research Degrees 

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