Interview - Cumbria Primary Education 3yrs

it went well ermm sorry for kingwilson who i've copied the content of my message back to but yeahh here's what happened



Arrived 11.30pm were we gave in our exam certificates and then went into a lecture theatre where the student recruitment team introduced and did a half hour talk on the university.

Then separated into the different courses (at mine there was the teaching course (my one), social work and nursing. We were all led to different rooms and then did the literacy test... not bad just a pen portrait of yourself (so just describe yourself and why you want to be a teacher). Thats just for 20 mins so not bad. You get a break then were you can have a campus tour or lunch... up to you (i went for a drink in the student bar... helped calmed the nerves!)

Joined back to the lecture theatre afterwards were we had a register and went off in groups of 6/7 and went to a classroom. The uni staff team is quite small at carlisle (not sure what tower hamlets is like) but i had the chief organiser of placements do my group and individual interview. For the group task, it's just go into two groups and make a short 5 min presentation on what makes an effective teacher. He is making notes on how you work as a team here so make sure you talk a little bit and also listen when making the presentation then same when you go into actual presenting. Really easy task and make sure you talk about your experiences a lot.

This only lasted about 20 mins with him. He then gave us a time for when to go back to the same room for the individual interview. I know that other tutors said i will fetch you from canteen instead so be prepared for both During this time i went and had a quick tour of the accomodation (really nice at fusehill street) and got a little information. Went back to individual interview and had to wait a bit cus he was running over a little bit... when i finally got in it was just three questions.

1) say it's your first day at a new school on your first placement, what impression would you like the students to have of you?

i said need to be friendly looking so they can come and be curious. Also need to be confident and knowledgable - need to trust that you are a good teacher.

2) same as above just with the teachers you are working with.

i said need to be confident but also have the ability to use critism to improve my teaching, etc.

3) How would you cope if a student was asking personal questions like who's your boyfriend, whats your age, etc?

i said if it was my first experience with the student i would make a smart remark and smile so that they know they have crossed the boundary and need to respect me as i know more

Make sure you ask at least one question at the end as it will make him know your keen to get into this university. I asked about when i will find out if im successful/unsuccessful. He said he didn't know for sure but he'd take a gamble and say a couple of weeks.

And then your done, just collect your certificates back (you need to show photographic ID to get them back so make sure you take them). After this, I did go for a wander around the town and get to know the city before heading back home (as i live 4 hours away).

Sorry if this is a bit long but i tried to include everything. if you've got any questions please ask

but yeah overall, loved the place and definately going to make it first choice if i get in, just need to do more research on the place first

Hey
I'm just wondering if anyone applying for Primary Education 3yrs with QTS at Cumbria has had an interview. I've got mine on the 2nd March at 11.30. Does anyone know what they are like?

Thanks x

Hi guys
Any one got interview at the London, Tower Hamlet campus?
Let me know, Ive got accepted for an interview, just dont know what date, haven't received the letter.
Regards
Saira

Hey, yeah I'm on the course now and absolutely loving it The course is brilliant and really varied, and completely what I did NOT expect, but in a good way

Basically the course is split into loads of different modules that you do over a period of time so like at the moment I'm doing modules in english and literacy, mathematics, science and religious education plus speciailism (though i've only just started my specialism two weeks ago). There isn't many full on lectures except for the first week you get here (freshers, i know bad to have lectures during freshers but it was all introduction to the course and how to use library etc so not proper work) most of the subjects are in your PAT (personal academic tutor) group so you get to know your whole class really well as it hardly ever changes except for your specialism! Most of the PAT classes are scheduled down as 2 hours long but most let you out about 15 mins early or if your on a late class (4pm-6pm) they try and cover everything quickly so that you can leave a bit early

Classes a week usually range from about 8 hours to 14 hours a week so 4 half days out of 5 but then theres all the extra work you have to do out of class like reading and assignments (even though theres none straight away except for RE) Of course every PAT group is different so when they sort you into one try stay with your friends otherwise you will never see them lol

And in the first year you get 8 weeks placement which is split into 1 week in november (start mine next monday :P) 2 weeks in Feb and 5 weeks in the summer all in the same pairs but at different schools each time you go out unless they request to have you back. With each placement you progress with the time you have teaching like next week I will only being doing observation and probably be a bit like a teaching assistant but not sure yet lol Can't really say much about placement at the moment as I start my first one next week.

ermmmm if you've got any more questions just ask. I'm living in halls so if you have anything about them aswell just give me a message sorry its a bit of an essay lol