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PGCE Primary interviews

PGCE Primary interviews

Marjon primary teaching student sitting with child in classroom

We look forward to welcoming you to your interview at Plymouth Marjon University. The interview is an important part of the application process - it allows us to assess your suitability for the programme you have applied for, and it also gives you the opportunity to decide whether Marjon is the right place for you to study. Our PGCE Primary Interview Days are in person; this is our preference to see you teach in an interactive group environment.  

During your interview, you will have the opportunity to: 

  • Have a tour of the university campus
  • Find out more about the course
  • Complete a series of interview tasks designed to explore your knowledge, skills, and motivation for teaching
  • Meet current Students and learn about student life at Marjon 

Interview Tasks

Individual Interview (approximately 20 minutes)

You will have a short individual interview with members of our interview team.

We will explore:

  • why you want to become a primary teacher
  • your understanding of teaching and learning
  • the professional role and responsibilities of a teacher
  • safeguarding and the responsibility teachers have for keeping children safe

Remember, you are not expected to know everything about teaching.

We are interested in your:

Potential • Thinking • Professionalism • Readiness to learn

Children’s Book Teaching Task (15 minutes)

Before your interview, choose one children’s picture book and prepare a short teaching activity inspired by it.

Your teaching activity should:

  • teach a clear concept or skill linked to a primary curriculum subject
  • be appropriate for primary-aged children
  • involve the group
  • be engaging and purposeful

Reflective Writing Task (25 minutes)

Following your children’s book teaching task, you will complete a short-written reflection.

You will be asked to consider:

  • what worked well
  • what you might change or improve
  • what you learned from the experience

This task also gives us an opportunity to consider the clarity and accuracy of your written communication.

Your Interview at a Glance

Marjon primary education student teaching two young children

Location

Plymouth Marjon University Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8BH

Female student on placement in a primary school

Arrival

8.40am–8.55am. Please report to the Welcome Desk.

Marjon primary education student teaching two young children

Expected Finish

Approximately 1.00pm

Primary school children sitting on the floor for story time

Dress

Professional

Marjon primary education student teaching two young children

Please bring

Photo ID, your chosen children’s picture book and, any resources needed for your teaching activity.

3 primary children, with Marjon student working at the table

Preparation

Take a quick look at the resources detailed below

Things to Note

Who will you teach?

At the interview, you will teach your activity to the interview panel and other interviewees. You can choose either of the following approaches:

Option 1 - Treat us as the children

Teach the panel and other interviewees as if they are primary-aged children, just as you would teach the activity in a classroom.

Option 2 - Teach us as adults

Pitch the activity to the adults in the room, while making it clear how the activity would work with primary-aged children.

Your planned activity may include reading part or all of your chosen book, but this will form part of the 15 minutes allocated. Please ensure that the main focus remains on completing the task.

What will happen on the day?

Please note timings from 9.30am onwards are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the number of candidates attending.

  • 08:40-08:55 Arrival & registration 
  • 09:00-09:30 Welcome and introduction to the PGCE Primary programme
  • 09:30-12:00 Interview activities
  • 12:00-12:30 Reflective writing task
  • 12:30-13:00 Optional campus tour
  • 13:00 Finish

Additional Recommended Preparation

In addition to preparing for your children’s picture book task, we would recommend spending some time familiarising yourself with the following:

  • The Primary National Curriculum to gain a general understanding of what children learn during Key Stages 1 and 2.
  • The current version of Keeping Children Safe in Education and the basic safeguarding responsibilities of teachers.

You are not expected to memorise these policy documents. We are interested in your developing understanding of the profession.

What should you bring?

Please bring your chosen children’s picture book and any resources you need for your teaching activity.

The use of IT is not expected. However, if you wish to use it, please bring your own laptop with all content available offline. Our display connection is HDMI. We do not have facilities to connect Apple Macs.

Proof of Qualification Documents

If you have not already done so, please email interviews@marjon.ac.uk evidence of your:

  • GCSE English at Grade C/4 or above
  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above
  • GCSE Science at Grade C/4 or above
  • degree or higher qualification, if already completed

Getting to Marjon

Plymouth Marjon University
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8BH

Paid parking is available on campus.

Blue Badge parking is available.
The George Park and Ride is also nearby.

Further travel and parking information is available on the Marjon website.

Need help?

Interview or admissions queries - interviews@marjon.ac.uk

Additional support or accessibility requirements - applicantsupport@marjon.ac.uk

General visit queries - visitus@marjon.ac.uk

If you require any reasonable adjustments for your interview, please contact us in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.