Faculty of Education, Health and Community
BA (Hons)
Primary Education
with recommendation for QTS
Enrolment Information Booklet
September 2017 entry
Table of Contents
Introduction to Interview Process2
Your Interview Date3
Requirements of the Day3
Registration3
Introductory Talk3
Lunch3
What do you need to prepare or bring with you?3
GCSE Certificates4
Interview checklist4
The Interview Day6
English Test6
Interview Process6
DBS Check and “Fitness to Train to Teach”6
What Happens after Interview?7
Useful Contact Details7
Faculty Recruitment Team7
Accommodation7
Student Advice Team8
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Introduction to Interview Process
Congratulations on gaining an interview. Please read this document very carefully. It will explain in
some detail our entry procedures and give you a good idea of what to expect on the day.
You need to confirm via UCAS your attendance at interview. If you decide that you no longer wish
to be considered for this course prior to the interview day, please respond as soon as possible via
UCAS as if you are not attending there will be other applicants who may be able to attend in your
place; spaces on our interview days are in high demand.
Please note that alternative dates for interview are not usually available
due to the number of applicants that we interview for this course.
If you have not already done so you must now register for the skills tests.
You need to pass the English and Mathematics skills test BEFORE attending your interview
or have confirmation that you have booked your test and bring proof of this on the day.
Please check the link below for further details and information of how to register
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/passing-the-skills-tests
Please read this document very carefully as it will explain in detail our entry procedures and give
you a good idea of what to expect on the day. We view the day as a two way process. Whilst we
are assessing your suitability for the course, you need to be deciding whether you would be happy
on our course and at LJMU. This opportunity also gives you the chance to find out more about us
and what our campus is like than what our prospectus can tell you. We hope that you will have a
good day and find out all you need to know to make the right decision for you. To help you do this,
please feel free to ask any questions at any stage of the day.
Candidates should report to Barkhill reception upon arrival. The day will start with a presentation
about the course from Paul Killen, Primary Programme Leader, or Sarah Hindhaugh, Academic
Admissions Tutor; this will provide all candidates with an overview of the course and key essential
information.
The day will also comprise group and individual interviews and an English test.
Please note: all applicants for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) programmes need to satisfy the
Government’s ‘Fitness to Teach’ requirements. If you are in any doubt about your fitness to teach,
you should visit www.gov.uk which will enable you to self-assess yourself and ensure that you are
able to teach under the Department for Education recommendations.
Your Interview Date
In order to be accepted on any undergraduate/postgraduate Initial Teacher Education course the
Government expects every university to meet minimum requirements in its selection process.
Offers are only given based on a formal interview. We have several interview dates spread over 4
months for undergraduate. We have tried this year to put the interview dates slightly later than usual
to allow applicants the time to register and pass the skills tests in English and mathematics.
We use academic staff and school partners to make the decisions which OFSTED have praised.
We are committed to improving the number of men in Primary teaching. Five years ago we made
the decision that all male applicants would be called (wherever possible) to the same interview date.
The TA now encourages other institutions to follow our lead as an example of best practice. In order
to consider all male applicants fairly this date has to be one of the later dates which unfortunately
may result in some applicants waiting a long time for interview.
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We view the day as a two way process. Whilst we are seeing whether you are a suitable candidate
for our course, you need to be deciding whether you would be happy on our course. Please feel
free to ask questions at any stage of the day.
Candidates should report to Barkhill Reception (see map) upon arrival. There will be a presentation
by one of the academic staff. This will provide you with an overview of the course literacy diagnostic
task, a tour of the campus as well as the interview process.
Requirements of the Day
We expect that you come dressed appropriately for interview on a professional course.
Registration
On arrival you will register with the recruitment team and receive a schedule for the day’s events.
We will also be checking your GCSE certification and proof of having passed the skills tests.
Introductory Talk
The introductory talk will consist of the following topics:
Overview of the course and its structure
Academic professional preparation
School based experience
Assessment of the course
Cohort size
Interview process and your offer
Induction procedures
Continuing Professional Development
Lunch
There is an onsite student refectory called ‘The Meeting Place’ that you are welcome to use or
alternatively you are welcome to bring your own lunch with you.
What do you need to prepare or bring with you?
GCSE Certificates
All applicants invited to interview for Primary Education have declared that they hold GCSE grade C,
or above, or equivalent, in English Language, Mathematics and Science on their UCAS application.
LJMU need to see evidence of these qualifications at interview.
If you believe that you hold an equivalent qualification, please ensure you contact us prior to
interview to check that we will accept it.
It is vital that you do not turn up to interview expecting another qualification to be considered
equivalent by LJMU as you may be disappointed.
Equivalent Qualifications that are accepted as standard are:
• Irish Leaving Certificate at grade C (ordinary), or grade D (higher)
• Scottish Standard Grade 3 or above
• LJMU Alternative Maths or English for Intending Teachers (AMFIT / AEFIT)
• AS/A2 qualifications in the relevant subjects
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Please note:
• GCSE English Literature is a different qualification to English Language and cannot
be accepted in place of English Language
• The Speaking and listening overall grade makes up part of the final English
Language grade, and only a final grade of B or higher can be accepted.
Please bring your original GCSE certificates in English language, mathematics and science to
interview and a copy (we will keep these copies). If you are claiming equivalencies please bring
the original certificate and a copy of certificate and the syllabus – we will need to keep these
copies. Please contact us urgently prior to interview if you do not have these.
Skills Tests confirmation
Please bring proof that you have passed the skills tests in English and Mathematics. We expect
you to pass these before interview or have confirmation that you have booked your tests. It
is more desirable to have these completed so you are best placed to consider our offer after
interview with only your A levels (or equivalent) as a condition.
Interview checklist
Please use this checklist to ensure that you bring everything you need to interview. This will
enable us consider your application and process any offer as quickly as possible following the
interview day.
• GCSE English Language (or equivalent) Certificate
• GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent) Certificate
• GCSE Science (or equivalent) Certificate
• Confirmation of passing the skills tests
If you are missing any items from your pack, please contact us.
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The Interview Day
English Test
All candidates for our teaching courses at LJMU are required to undertake an assessment. This
will be an English test, which will last approximately 60 minutes. The written task is linked to an
unseen article given on the interview day.
The response to this task, in addition to the individual and group interview performance, will be
used to form a judgement as to whether you are offered a place on the course.
Interview Process
Members of the academic staff, as well as teachers from local schools, will interview you.
We also try to involve current students in the interview process, as this works to the applicants’
advantage allowing you to get an insight in to student life and not just academic life.
The interview is our principle method for deciding whether or not we think you would be suitable
for the course. Thus each candidate should be prepared to discuss their reasons for wanting to
enter into the profession and the qualities they have to offer to the profession.
All judgements of the individual interview will be based on the following criteria:
• Understanding the role of the Primary teacher
• Academic ability and potential – realistic view of what the degree will entail
• Previous experience of working with school age children
• Potential as a teacher
• Resilience and perseverance
• Communication skills
• Confidence and enthusiasm
The group interview will be a 30 minute task and you will be assessed against the following
criteria.
1. Leadership
2. Resilience
3. Interaction
4. Communication
5. Empathy
6. Presentation skills
We will not make judgements based on only one or two of these criteria. We are looking for a
balance of knowledge, skills, experience and commitment which will give us the confidence that
you have the potential to complete the course and progress into a successful career in teaching.
DBS Check and “Fitness to Train to Teach”
If you are successful at gaining a place on one of our teacher training courses, the receipt of
an Enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) and will be a condition of offer for your course. These will be
undertaken and paid for by LJMU.
In addition you must meet the minimum requirements of “Fitness to Train to Teach”.
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What Happens after Interview?
Following your interview, we will make a decision as to whether we can offer you a place on the
course as soon as possible.
After we have made our decision the application is processed by our Recruitment Team who
inform UCAS direct of our decision, and UCAS will automatically generate a notification to you
letting you know the University’s decision. This whole process will take up to 10 working days,
depending on how quickly a decision can be made.
An offer is usually conditional on your achievement of specified entry requirements. If you have
already achieved sufficient academic grades then we may offer you an unconditional offer;
however, all offers made are conditional on a satisfactory DBS check and Medical Clearance
being obtained by the University.
If you are unsure of how to convert your grades or predicted grades into UCAS tariff points
please visit the UCAS website: UCAS Tariff Guide
Useful Contact Details
Faculty Recruitment Team
The Faculty Recruitment Team is based at the IM Marsh Campus in Aigburth. If you have any
questions regarding your interview or DBS check, please contact:
Faculty Recruitment Team
IM Marsh Campus
Aigburth
Liverpool
L17 6BD
Tel:0151 231 5340
Email: [email protected]
Web:
www.ljmu.ac.uk/teaching
Accommodation
If you require accommodation during your time with LJMU (once an offer is made), please contact
our Accommodation Office:
Accommodation Office
Roscoe Court
4 Rodney Street
Liverpool
L1 2TZ
Tel:0151 231 4166
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk/accommodation
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Student Advice Team
LJMU employs staff that can offer advice and support to students and prospective students on a
range of issues such as student funding and support for students with a disability.
Student Advice
Kingsway House
Hatton Garden
Liverpool
L3 2AJ
Disability Email:
[email protected]
Tel:0151 904 6052
Student Advice:
Email: [email protected]
Tel:0151 904 6056/6057.
Students are strongly advised to apply for their student funding as soon as possible.
To apply log on to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance . 8