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Ask me anything - 2nd year BA Primary Education student

Hi everybody!

Ella here. I am currently a student at the University of Reading and I have just finished my second year. I am studying a BA in Primary Education with an English specialism.

It would be great to hear from prospective students who are interested in Education or similar courses, or even those who are looking at coming to Reading in general!

If you have any questions about interviews, the course or studying primary teaching in general, please don’t hesitate to ask!

I look forward to hearing from you 😊

Ella

2nd year BA Primary Education with English Specialism (QTS)

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Original post by UniofReading
Hi everybody!

Ella here. I am currently a student at the University of Reading and I have just finished my second year. I am studying a BA in Primary Education with an English specialism.

It would be great to hear from prospective students who are interested in Education or similar courses, or even those who are looking at coming to Reading in general!

If you have any questions about interviews, the course or studying primary teaching in general, please don’t hesitate to ask!

I look forward to hearing from you 😊

Ella

2nd year BA Primary Education with English Specialism (QTS)
What interview advice would you give to primary education applicants? We get tonnes of questions on this throughout the year so it'd be really useful for me to be blue to refer back to something.

What should an applicant expect from a primary ed interview?
How can they best prepare?
What advice would you give to any applicant being interviewed?



Lovely thread the way, I'm going to redirect it across a few forums so hopefully it gets noticed more.
Hi, thanks for your response!

As an applicant and prospective student, an interview date is often a chance to familiarise yourself with the university that you have applied for and to get to know the course a little better (as well as a method of filtering out some candidates). It also allows the university admissions tutors to assess if you would be a good fit on the course and to put a name to a personal statement. They want to see if you are eager and enthusiastic about the field that you are being interviewed for and it is your chance to display this.

My best piece of advice would be to make sure that you are as prepared as you can be for the actual day to avoid unnecessary stress. This is something that you definitely don’t want before your interview has even started! Give yourself plenty of time to reach the education provider as this can sometimes be difficult to locate (particularly if you are unsure about where you are going/it is your first time attending the site).

As well as this, ensure that you are prepared for the actual day: if there are any tasks that you need to complete beforehand, complete them to the best of your ability and then reread them the day before to familiarise yourself. This will mean that you aren’t rushing the night before. Try to research a little bit more about the course and what it entails as this will help you to ask relevant questions to the admissions tutors on the day, helping you to see if the course that you are being interviewed for is the right one for you and allow you feel more comfortable.

Finally, congratulate yourself on receiving an interview offer! You should go in there feeling as confident as you can and showcase yourself to the best of your ability. You are already halfway there and there isn’t too much further to go. You have got this!

* Just to note some general advice and pointers for Primary Education applicants - ensure that you have familiarised yourself with what is required of you for your course in terms of entry requirements and experience. This should involve the passing of the QTS skills tests in English and mathematics. It is wise to book these ASAP if you are interested in the course, as slots can fill up very quickly and education providers will generally require these of you prior to starting the course. You can complete mock tests online for this. You will also likely require a DBS check before the course begins - information regarding this are likely to be mentioned at interview. Some universities will require evidence of work experience in a school or education setting also, so it is important to check this beforehand.

Good luck!

Ella
2nd Year BA Primary Education with English specialism (QTS)
Original post by 04MR17
What interview advice would you give to primary education applicants? We get tonnes of questions on this throughout the year so it'd be really useful for me to be blue to refer back to something.

What should an applicant expect from a primary ed interview?
How can they best prepare?
What advice would you give to any applicant being interviewed?



Lovely thread the way, I'm going to redirect it across a few forums so hopefully it gets noticed more.
Hi Ella,

I was looking at coming to Reading to do the BA Primary Education with QTS, but unfortunately, could not attend the open day to hear about the course. Therefore, any information you have on the course would be brilliant. I am thinking of becoming a special educational needs teacher or at least specializing in SEN, so if you have any info on this particular aspect of the course, that would also be good. Lastly, I am very interested in placements e.g. how long they last, how many are there, were they beneficial etc. Also, can you do a placement in a special school? Thanks in advance,

Abby
Original post by UniofReading
Hi everybody!

Ella here. I am currently a student at the University of Reading and I have just finished my second year. I am studying a BA in Primary Education with an English specialism.

It would be great to hear from prospective students who are interested in Education or similar courses, or even those who are looking at coming to Reading in general!

If you have any questions about interviews, the course or studying primary teaching in general, please don’t hesitate to ask!

I look forward to hearing from you 😊

Ella

2nd year BA Primary Education with English Specialism (QTS)
Original post by UniofReading
Hi, thanks for your response!

As an applicant and prospective student, an interview date is often a chance to familiarise yourself with the university that you have applied for and to get to know the course a little better (as well as a method of filtering out some candidates). It also allows the university admissions tutors to assess if you would be a good fit on the course and to put a name to a personal statement. They want to see if you are eager and enthusiastic about the field that you are being interviewed for and it is your chance to display this.

My best piece of advice would be to make sure that you are as prepared as you can be for the actual day to avoid unnecessary stress. This is something that you definitely don’t want before your interview has even started! Give yourself plenty of time to reach the education provider as this can sometimes be difficult to locate (particularly if you are unsure about where you are going/it is your first time attending the site).

As well as this, ensure that you are prepared for the actual day: if there are any tasks that you need to complete beforehand, complete them to the best of your ability and then reread them the day before to familiarise yourself. This will mean that you aren’t rushing the night before. Try to research a little bit more about the course and what it entails as this will help you to ask relevant questions to the admissions tutors on the day, helping you to see if the course that you are being interviewed for is the right one for you and allow you feel more comfortable.

Finally, congratulate yourself on receiving an interview offer! You should go in there feeling as confident as you can and showcase yourself to the best of your ability. You are already halfway there and there isn’t too much further to go. You have got this!

* Just to note some general advice and pointers for Primary Education applicants - ensure that you have familiarised yourself with what is required of you for your course in terms of entry requirements and experience. This should involve the passing of the QTS skills tests in English and mathematics. It is wise to book these ASAP if you are interested in the course, as slots can fill up very quickly and education providers will generally require these of you prior to starting the course. You can complete mock tests online for this. You will also likely require a DBS check before the course begins - information regarding this are likely to be mentioned at interview. Some universities will require evidence of work experience in a school or education setting also, so it is important to check this beforehand.

Good luck!

Ella
2nd Year BA Primary Education with English specialism (QTS)
Thank you so much for this, I'm going to edit this into a standard response and save it on another thread, then tag you to see if you think it's a far reflection on what you said. :smile:
Hi Abby,

It is excellent that you are already thinking about what you would like to specialise in! During your third-year on the course, you will indeed undertake a compulsory week long SEN placement. This can be located in a variety of settings from a behavioural unit to a school that might cater for those of differing or additional needs. You will also partake in lectures that are based around the topics of SEN and inclusion during your time on the course.

As for placements, in first year you will complete a weekly serial placement that commenced in October, followed by a 3 and a half week block that finishes around Easter time. In your second year, the placement lasts for 7 weeks and in third year it is 8 weeks. For both second and third year, two of the weeks in the long blocks are diagnostic meaning that you can get to know the rules and regulations of your school before being let loose to teach!

The teaching percentage that you will undertake is: 40% during year 1, followed by 60% in year 2. In year 3, you will teach 80% of the time as a qualified teacher would do (the 20% being allocated to PPA).

On the whole, I have found the placements to be hugely beneficial so far, in particular I found that the jump from first year to second year placement meant that I had significantly more of a professional role whilst in the school. I found this to be challenging but extremely rewarding at the end!

I hope that this was of some help to you? If you have another question please don’t hesitate!

Ella 🙂
2nd year BA Primary Education with English specialism (QTS)
Original post by Abby-Rose
Hi Ella,

I was looking at coming to Reading to do the BA Primary Education with QTS, but unfortunately, could not attend the open day to hear about the course. Therefore, any information you have on the course would be brilliant. I am thinking of becoming a special educational needs teacher or at least specializing in SEN, so if you have any info on this particular aspect of the course, that would also be good. Lastly, I am very interested in placements e.g. how long they last, how many are there, were they beneficial etc. Also, can you do a placement in a special school? Thanks in advance,

Abby
@UniofReading, I've taken what you said and reformatted it slightly, I've put it here:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=74015978&postcount=12

Can you let me know if you think this is a fair reflection of what you've said? :smile:

When it comes round to interview times again next year and we get 3000 threads asking the same thing I can use this as a bit of a standard response. :biggrin:
Hi again,

this looks good! I’m glad that my advice is reaching a wider audience - hopefully it will be helpful to them.

Ella
2nd year BA Primary Education with English specialism (QTS)
Original post by 04MR17
@UniofReading, I've taken what you said and reformatted it slightly, I've put it here:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=74015978&postcount=12

Can you let me know if you think this is a fair reflection of what you've said? :smile:

When it comes round to interview times again next year and we get 3000 threads asking the same thing I can use this as a bit of a standard response. :biggrin:
Hi Ella, my daughter has a conditional offer. Conditions being. UCAS points DBS and completed fitness to teach questionnaire. Do you know if a Uni can refuse you if you have any of the conditions on the fitness to teach list. Thanks and good luck for your 3rd year.
Original post by Proud Mom
Hi Ella, my daughter has a conditional offer. Conditions being. UCAS points DBS and completed fitness to teach questionnaire. Do you know if a Uni can refuse you if you have any of the conditions on the fitness to teach list. Thanks and good luck for your 3rd year.

Hi @Proud Mom firstly congrats to your daughter and thank you for the well wishes 😊. As for your question, I am afraid
that I am unsure of the exact answer but it sounds very similar to the Declaration of Health form that I had to fill out before starting the course. The university are very good and incredibly supportive of students. In the case of my application, the form was more just to see if you needed further assistance when undertaking the course. You can send your enquires to our friendly admissions team at [email protected] to find out more! You can find more information about the questionnaire on this webpage: http://www.reading.ac.uk/admissions/ad-decofhealth.aspx . I hope that this helps! If I can assist with anything further please let me know!

Best wishes to both you and your daughter,
Ella
Final year Primary Education with English student and student ambassador 😊
Hi Ella,

Which are the most sociable/ fun (self-catered) halls on campus regardless of price?

Thank you,

Alex
Original post by Alexcorfieldxo
Hi Ella,

Which are the most sociable/ fun (self-catered) halls on campus regardless of price?

Thank you,

Alex

Hi Alex,

I would firstly say that all the halls on campus are just as fun/sociable as the other. It really is just down to what you make of the halls. The only thing I would say is that you have the addedd component of socialising more when you are in shared bathroom. But I was in en-suite halls and I think they were just as sociable as any other hall. I think the best thing to do when choosing is to think about what facilities you would like, location to campus, old build or newer build, how many people you would like to share the flat with. And finally your budget. Halls experience really is down to the individual, those around them and what you make of it.

I hope this has helped, please let me know if you have any other questions.

Ellen :smile:
3Msci Speech and Language Therapy Student and Student Ambassador
Original post by UniofReading
Hi everybody!

Ella here. I am currently a student at the University of Reading and I have just finished my second year. I am studying a BA in Primary Education with an English specialism.

It would be great to hear from prospective students who are interested in Education or similar courses, or even those who are looking at coming to Reading in general!

If you have any questions about interviews, the course or studying primary teaching in general, please don’t hesitate to ask!

I look forward to hearing from you 😊

Ella

2nd year BA Primary Education with English Specialism (QTS)



I would like to become a primary teacher but have no idea what qualifications I need. I am currently in college but it studying anything to do with teaching, will this effect if a university will accept me? I was wondering what degree at university to study in order to become a primary school teacher?
Hi Ella, I am currently preparing for an interview for Primary Education at Stranmills University in Belfast. I have to do a 5 minute presentation on 'how my experiences with children have influenced my career choice'. This will be followed by a few questions. Do you have any tips for the presentation and any idea of what questions they may ask? Caitlin
Original post by UniofReading
Hi everybody!

Ella here. I am currently a student at the University of Reading and I have just finished my second year. I am studying a BA in Primary Education with an English specialism.

It would be great to hear from prospective students who are interested in Education or similar courses, or even those who are looking at coming to Reading in general!

If you have any questions about interviews, the course or studying primary teaching in general, please don’t hesitate to ask!

I look forward to hearing from you 😊

Ella

2nd year BA Primary Education with English Specialism (QTS)

Hi Ella.
I was wondering if you could help Im looking to start my BA HONS In Education Studies, my first year we are studying learning and teaching in primary years and introduction to childhood studies and child psychology. Do you know of any good books i can start researching and reading. Thanks Anna
Hi, i am hoping to start uni next year and i would like to know for the course primary teaching what do u learn and what is it like. Also, how many days do u come in a week and do u have exams and alot of course work
Original post by Elliefagan
I would like to become a primary teacher but have no idea what qualifications I need. I am currently in college but it studying anything to do with teaching, will this effect if a university will accept me? I was wondering what degree at university to study in order to become a primary school teacher?

Hey there @Elliefagan it’s great to great that you’re considering primary teaching! As for entry requirements, these vary from university to university. At Reading, typical entry requirements are BBB and you can find out a little more about them at this webpage: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/education-ug/ba-qts-primary-education.aspx. There are no specific A levels that are required here as far as I can see.

It is important to look and see if a course has (QTS) in its title. This means that upon graduating, you come out with a degree as well as “Qualified Teacher Status” which allows you to teach in schools at that particular pay rate.

Another option is to study Education Studies which is more broad but doesn’t result in QTS.

There are other routes into teaching such as PGCE courses (postgraduate) as well as a few others. You can find a little bit more about this by looking at the government’s Get into a teaching site.

Best wishes for now, I hope that this helps! Please let me know if I can help with anything else!

Ella
Final year Primary Education with English student and student ambassador ☺️
Original post by Cclarke0611
Hi Ella, I am currently preparing for an interview for Primary Education at Stranmills University in Belfast. I have to do a 5 minute presentation on 'how my experiences with children have influenced my career choice'. This will be followed by a few questions. Do you have any tips for the presentation and any idea of what questions they may ask? Caitlin

Hi there! Congrats on your interview offer - I hope that it goes well☺️. One piece of advice that I would give is to look very carefully at any emails that you may have been sent by the university as this may offer you some clues as to what they may ask and expect of you at interview. Make sure that you haven’t missed anything!

I would make sure that you are as prepared as possible. You could make some small cards so that you don’t lose your place. Try not read off lots of text from a screen. It is better if you address your audience and not the computer screen/your notes.

I would ensue that your passion for the field of education comes through and is embedded throughout your presentation. Try to state how your experiences have led you down the path. These could be positive or even negative experiences but it is very important that you explain your journey.

I open that this helps - best of luck with the interview!

Ella
Student ambassador and primary education student with English 🍏
Original post by Annalouise1997
Hi Ella.
I was wondering if you could help Im looking to start my BA HONS In Education Studies, my first year we are studying learning and teaching in primary years and introduction to childhood studies and child psychology. Do you know of any good books i can start researching and reading. Thanks Anna

Hi Anna! Great to hear that you’re considering routes into education ☺️It can give you a good grounding into the field to help you decide where to go next.

I have found Pollard’s Reflective Teaching in Schools (4th ed) to be of use in many assignments. If you are looking at a specific course, either at Reading or elsewhere, you can often find recommend reading lists online so have a look online and see what comes up!

I open this helps ☺️ Let me know if I can help with anything else!

Ella
Student ambassador and primary education student with English specialist (QTS) 🍏
Original post by dreambigg
Hi, i am hoping to start uni next year and i would like to know for the course primary teaching what do u learn and what is it like. Also, how many days do u come in a week and do u have exams and alot of course work

Hi there thanks for your question! It is great to hear that you are thinking of studying Primary Education. It can be challenging at times but it is hugely also rewarding also 😊.

For the course at Reading, there are no exams at all. This is the case for some other Primary Education courses at other universities but not all. You would need to go further research into this to find out fully about any other universities that you may be applying to.

We have around 6 pieces of assessed coursework a year so it is generally manageable but important to keep on top of 😊.

At the University of Reading, on the Primary Education courses you learn a lot a cross a wide variety of subjects. You can take a specialism throughout the course if you wish of either maths, English, music or art. This will make up a third of your degree. The specialism modules include (take English for example) English, education and the Arts and subject specialism.

There are then other modules on professional studies (all of the technical things surrounding teaching); curriculum English and Maths; and another on science and PE.

I hope that this helps! If there’s anything else you want to know, please just ask!

Ella
Student ambassador and primary education student with English Specialism (QTS)🍏

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