PG Diploma Early Years with ITT

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of St Mark & St John for your interview day and hope that you will gain much from the experience. The day is important for both you and for us as it is important that we see if you are suitable for the course you have applied for, but equally that you find out if this is the place you want to study.

During the day you will have the opportunity to look round the University and find out more about the course and meet tutors. We want you to present yourself in the best light on the day and we aim to make you feel comfortable and welcome.

The Group Session

The interview day begins with an information group session which looks at the programme aims, structure and delivery. You will have the opportunity to meet other candidates and the Programme Leader. This is an informal session in which there will be lots of opportunity to ask questions as we feel it is important for you to be clear that this is the right programme for you.

There will also be an information session on the Early Years Teacher Standards and an opportunity to discuss the placement /work-based elements of the programme. The group session concludes with a campus tour to see our excellent facilities

The Individual Interview

You will be interviewed by a member of the course teaching team and an employer representative and will be asked a number of questions which are designed to ascertain if you are a suitable candidate for Early Years teaching and for this postgraduate course. The individual interview has two parts:

• Part 1: You will be asked to give an informal talk on ‘Why I want to be an Early Years Teacher’, which will be the first item in your interview with the employer representative. This is not a formal presentation, you do not need to prepare any materials in advance, it is more about giving you an opportunity to begin the interview by talking about your motivation and passion for teaching within Early Years. Following your informal talk, the interviewer will ask you some focused questions about your past practice experience.
• Part 2: You will be interviewed by a member of the teaching and the focus of this will be on your readiness to study at post graduate level.

Both parts are informed by a set interview schedule. The overall interview will last around 30 minutes.

How Candidates will be assessed

Each candidate will be assessed on the following:

• Appropriate qualities, attitudes, ethics and values
• Subject Knowledge and Experience