School Direct Trainees 2015 those who have accepted an offer :)

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Hello, congratulations all on securing places :smile:

I know this post in probably not in the right place but with you all having been there done that I was wondering if anyone could help me out or point me in the right direction. I am currently in the process of applying for ITT and I have an interview on Monday... It is for a school direct salaried position in a primary school, I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on what questions they may ask? Do they ask general questions on why and what makes you want to be a good teacher, or is it more competency based where you have to give examples of working as a team ect.? i know this will vary between schools and courses ect. but im wondering if the questions asked are more like job interviews as oppose to interviews for training courses? :s-smilie:

if you can remember what you were asked i would love to know, and how many questions about?

any help would be greatly appreciated,
Many thanks!

Reply 181

Miketheknight

Original post by katiie_uk_91

Hello, congratulations all on securing places :smile:

if you can remember what you were asked i would love to know, and how many questions about?

any help would be greatly appreciated,
Many thanks!

General questions along the lines of:
- what makes an effective teacher
- what are your strengths
- what can you bring from your previous employment into the role
- if you've studied a specialist subject, why not secondary?
- your knowledge of primary curriculum

Reply 182

katiie_uk_91

Ahhh great thanks, that's what I was expecting :smile:

just don't want to be caught out. I know that's not what they're trying to do but I want to be over prepared. Gonna have to have a think about the curriculum one... It's a pretty difficult subject to summarise ha!

I also have to do a 'teaching activity' no more than 15 mins based on a text of our choice. Do you have any advise on what they may be looking for? They obviously don't just want you to sit and read?!

Thanks so much for your reply

Reply 183

Miketheknight

Original post by katiie_uk_91

Ahhh great thanks, that's what I was expecting :smile:

Really depends on what age! They're looking to see you engaged with the children, able to think on your feet, your choice of language with the children, questions you pose to them etc.

Reply 184

katiie_uk_91

Original post by Miketheknight

Really depends on what age! They're looking to see you engaged with the children, able to think on your feet, your choice of language with the children, questions you pose to them etc.

yeah, i had an interveiw on thursday which was similar but i had half an hour so I had to plan more than just reading, both interveiws were in year 3 and I read a chapter from charlie and the chocolate factory on thursday and they seemed to enjoy it so i might try that again and think up some thought provoking questions. I was looking for a short story or maybe using a fable as these could pose questions which stand alone could teach them alot

Reply 185

junglebook1

I have a school direct interview Tuesday and am sooo nervous!! As well as interview, maths, literacy and spelling test, I have to do a 30 min lesson on place value to 8 year 2s!! Got to finalise my lesson plan as have v limited school experience so getting worried!!

Any tips?!!

xx

Reply 186

Seval akyol

I have had two interviews for salaried scheme. The first interview went very well. They were impressed my lesson, I was told. But I didn't get it as I was againt an exceptionally good candidate, they said. I just had my second interview. It all went ok m. I asked for a 5 mins to prepare the class. One of them said it would be ok. They threw into the class when they were still having their actual lesson. The usb ports in the pc didn't work for a while. I lost five mins. One of the 3 observers said i had 5 mins left. After 5 mins she said the same. I carried on not being sure if she was right. The clock didn't seem to be working. It was on 45 min when I started and finished a 30 mins lesson. The class was quite disruptive; I used some techniques I learned in 8 years of my teaching career. They refused me saying I needed to speak when they were quiet and my experience wasn't relevat so I needed experience(Esol, Efl for adults, young learners, supplementary schools for bilingual learners, private tuition) similar, united teaching schools.

Reply 187

shannonbeth

I have a question, if you are on the primary SD route, are your placements chosen for you or do you choose. My interest is in KS1 so will I get one in KS1 and one in KS2? I'm not sure how it all works!
Thanks 😊

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Reply 188

Pierson

Your placements are chosen for you. This is the case with pretty much any training route, although some training providers do try to take into account their trainees' preferences when possible. If you do a 5-11 course, you would certainly have placements in both KS1 and KS2 in order to ensure that you gain experience across the age range. If you do a 3-7 course, you would have placements in both Foundation and KS1.

Reply 189

JamieInPompey

You will have a home school, most likely the one that interviewed you. You will do a term there, followed by some time at another school. In my SD we do some time at the teaching school with year 7 as well to see how they would transition. You then go back to your home school.

Reply 190

Jillybean1977

I accepted an offer too. I'm going to be 39 and I have two children aged 10 and 6. I'm worrying about fitting everything in! I'm on the unsalaried route. Does anyone know when you can expect to get a reading list through? I was hoping to do as much as I can reading wise, so I'm as prepared as possible....I'm only part time at a school now, so have a bit of time... I don't think any of us will be able to say that come September!

Reply 191

Jillybean1977

Original post by Jillybean1977

Can I also just say, for anyone that has an interview coming up, don't worry too much if the practical part doesn't go to plan, but make sure you are reflective. I picked apart mine with a fine toothed comb...It shows you know what has gone wrong and you would do it differently next time. Remember they are not looking for the finished product (i.e. An outstanding teacher) they are looking for potential xxxx

Reply 192

JamieInPompey

Original post by Jillybean1977

I googled my university's reading list from the current years School Direct. I ended up buying the three core books and have started reading and making notes on them. Could be an idea?

Reply 193

newtoSD

Original post by katielon12

Hiiiiii 😄 I accepted an offer for schools direct in the Liverpool area! Mine is for primary. Can not actually wait to start! Well done everyone who has got a place!! X

Hi,

I haven't been called for an interview yet, but just out of curiosity... What kind of written task do they expect at the interview? what was the topic you were asked to write about ?
Thank you.