PGCE Interview for Design & Technology

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=Adam=

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Hi guys,

Some of you may remember the topic that I posted a few months ago about wanting to do the PGCE in Design and Technology in order to teach it at secondary school. Well..... I have applied and I have got an interview next Wednesday! I am quite nervous as I am not really to sure about what to say/do.

I have had a letter which states that I should take along a portfolio of work. So for this I have basically grouped all of my woodturning and woodworking pics into one file (I will add a description of them before I go to the interview) along with some CAD and Sketchup drawings that I have made for my course and recreationally.

During the day I have got to do a literacy and numeracy test which I feel ok with, maths is my strong point, but I am not too keen on literacy tests!

I was just wondering if anyone has had an interview like this in the past or knows anyone that is doing or has done a PGCE? If so then could I get some pointers about what to say and what not to say?

I forgot to mention that I am also doing a placement in a local secondary school, I will be there on Tuesday so hopefully I will be able to ask the teachers for some advice. Plus there is a D&T PGCE student doing a placement there too, so she might be able to help me out too!

Anyway.... Thanks for reading and I hope someone can help me out!

Cheers

Adam
 
I can't offer any 'real' advice other than just be yourself, oh and when the interviews concluded, rub your hand on your trouser leg before you shake hands with the interview panel, no one likes a wet handshake.

Best of luck and let us all know how you get on.

Baldhead
 
I have just retired after teaching D&T (plus all the other names) for 40 years, same school same workshop. I really enjoyed it. My eldest is a teacher in her second year. Keep up with all the paperwork. Take plenty of photos. Log every contact with future parents and difficult pupils. Good luck, we need great teachers.
 
Isn't the system wonderful - you've a degree, and you've got to do numeracy and literacy tests? My friend did C&Gs and had to take them. He asked if ten good "O" levels counted. No. He asked if four good "A" levels counted. No. I don't suppose a degree in medicine counts either? Sorry, no.

Doesn't it dawn on the powers that be that these tests should be done at sixteen, when people start to leave school?
Good luck, anyway.
 
phil.p":2664bpdy said:
Isn't the system wonderful - you've a degree, and you've got to do numeracy and literacy tests? My friend did C&Gs and had to take them. He asked if ten good "O" levels counted. No. He asked if four good "A" levels counted. No. I don't suppose a degree in medicine counts either? Sorry, no.

Doesn't it dawn on the powers that be that these tests should be done at sixteen, when people start to leave school?
Good luck, anyway.

There have been a number of instances of people presenting forged certificates for qualifications they don't really have, or discovered to have been working in positions of trust and authority for some time having gained the position by claiming qualifications they didn't have. I suspect the numeracy and literacy tests are a way to try to weed out such fraudsters.

Adam - judging from your post, I don't think you need fear the literacy test. It was clear and concise with perfectly decent spelling, grammar and punctuation. You'll be fine - and good luck with the rest of the interview!
 
For your portfolio don’t put everything in that you have done. By all means have them there as supporting info. You will want to show all you have done and proud of it, but sometimes best to filter out some pictures and drawings and only show the best of them. No one likes going through photo after photo of 'the same' or 'another shot' 'at a different angle' etc. You will know yourself what are the best ones. Start with a good ones and end with a good ones. A bit of wow factor. Don’t end on one you are not sure or could have been better...as if. Have in your mind what was good about each. Know what could have been better if challenged (but don’t offer it) ...and what you learnt from it.
Enthusiasm is always good of course. I remember meeting people and wondered what made them get up in the morning....it wasn’t the job I had to offer them. But be yourself as said above. You have been picked for interview so remember you have done something correct...they have chose n to speak to you...so good for you. , and show them that they have chosen well in you.
Other questions - Why do you want this job? What will you bring/give to the pupils? Do you think you will make a difference? Do feel you have the necessary experience/training? Why do you want to teach?

Every best wish to you and hope it all goes well.
 
I did a very similar course about 14 years ago, mine was a degree in teaching D&T with QTS as I didn't already have a degree. If you have done freehand sketches of anything take those, or practice a few, as well as hand-drawn engineering drawings. Anything you've done with electrics or electronics may be good too, plus any metal work. Showing a broad range of skills is possibly better than a high level of single specialism. I found that if you are enthusiastic about the subject and teaching, this will go a long way to helping you. Confidence is quite a major factor, particularly at interview. If you can read a broadsheet newspaper and understand it, your literacy should probably be fine.

If your course is anything like mine (Sheffield Hallam Uni) you should enjoy a great creative time.

Without wanting to be negative, I would add that now is the hardest time for anyone to get into teaching ever and you really need to be well prepared for the reality of the modern teaching environment. If you don't know anyone in teaching, try and get supportive help from as many people you trust as you can find.
 
Thanks for all of the help everyone!

I agree with many of the points above such as not putting all of my work into the portfolio. I think I will need to sift through it all to make sure that only the best makes the cut. I have also just finished a maple bowl as a Christmas gift, I was thinking about taking this along with maybe a pen, as I thought that this would stand out from everyone else on the day.

I am aware of the current situation regarding actually getting a teaching job, especially now because of the education reform which will leave teaching D&T down to how each school wants to represent it.

I think I will start reading some 'hot' topics about education over the next couple of days so it sounds like I know what I am talking about!

Thanks again!
 
Hi Adam
I think you've had some great advice.

I've had no experience as a teacher but was for several years a part time lecturer and my interviewing panel were more interested in how I planned, scheduled and executed the projects than the actual finished result.

You would be teaching pupils of varying abilities and experience and your ability to guide these students to produce something to the best of their ability is the most important factor.

As advised earlier by twothumbs
Other questions - Why do you want this job? What will you bring/give to the pupils? Do you think you will make a difference? Do feel you have the necessary experience/training? Why do you want to teach?
are questions you should be well prepared for.

Good luck - hope you get it.

Bob
 
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