Criteria For The Selection Of Trainee Teachers

Applicants should indicate their desire to study for a PGCE with a Catholic provider. Entrants of other faiths and beliefs will be considered as long as they are in sympathy with the aims and mission of the Partnership. Successful completion of the course will enable the teachers to teach in both Catholic and non-Catholic schools.

Entry Requirements:

The academic qualifications of entrants are used to help determine the potential of applicants to meet the intellectual rigour of the course. The DCSF QTS Standards (2007) identify the academic requirements that candidates must meet to be eligible for admission to a PGCE (Primary) programme. The PCP requires that:

• All entrants have attained a minimum grade C in the GCSE (or equivalent) examinations in English, Mathematics and Science
• Entrants hold a degree from a United Kingdom university (or Higher Education Institution), or a degree from the CNAA, or a recognised equivalent qualification. For entry onto the Primary Catholic Partnership, we ask for a second class Honours Degree, as the minimum requirement.
• All entrants are able to read effectively and are able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written standard English;
• Recent English primary school experience;

Previous experience in schools

The PGCE is a very challenging year. Candidates who have had experience in schools find it a lot easier to come to grips with the heavy demands of the course. Your application is likely to be more successful if it demonstrates that you have gained or intend to gain some experience in a maintained English primary school.  If you are offered a place there is a requirement for you to arrange at least two weeks' experience in an English maintained primary school prior to the start of the course. You may be given certain tasks to do during these two weeks to focus your observations and reflections.

The Interview

If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview. This will take place over half a day with an interview panel and approximately five other applicants.

The interview will consist of:

• Document check -A list of what to bring is given in your interview invite
• Presentation - You will be asked to give a five minute presentation to the group.
• Personal Interview - You will take part in a personal interview
• Tasks - There will be a short written tasks to complete in English and Mathematics. These will give us the chance to assess your current abilities in these areas.

During the interview applicants will need to demonstrate:

• the capability to meet the required Standards by the end of their training and that they possess appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be teachers.
• that they possess the physical and mental fitness to teach.

Entrants are required to satisfy interviewers that they possess the physical and mental fitness necessary to meet the strenuous demands of teaching as detailed in 'Able to teach' guidance.

This does not preclude entrants with disabilities from applying who give every indication of becoming competent and valued members of the teaching profession. In addition, entrants are required to sign a declaration that they have not previously been excluded from teaching or working with children.

All entrants will go through a rigorous police checking system (CRB) in order to ascertain that they have no criminal background that might prevent them from working with children.  In addition to CRB enchanced disclosure, as of July 2010 all trainees will be subject to new ISA regulations (Independent Safeguarding  Authority).