INTERVIEW PROCEDURES

• specific qualifications;
• subject knowledge skills and abilities;
• experiences and personal qualities;
• commitment to teaching;
• sense of responsibility;
• ability to relate well to young people;
• ability to reflect on your own knowledge and experience.

The interview should also demonstrate that you are open-minded and possess a balanced and positive outlook.  In particular, the interview procedures are designed to determine whether you meet the entry requirements.  In certain practical subjects a portfolio of evidence showing your designing and making skills will be required to be presented at the interview.

In addition to this we will also be looking for evidence of clear and accurate communication in written spoken Standard English.  In other words, your ability to:

• use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
• express yourself clearly and fluently, using appropriate vocabulary
• produce work that is organised, logical and coherent
• present written work that is neat and legible

GTC Suitability Declaration Form
All trainees are required to be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council of England (GTC).   A ‘Suitability Declaration’ form will need to be completed and returned to the CTG before the interview.

PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEW

Prior to your interview, it is recommended that you:

• familiarise yourself with the Key Stage 3 and 4 aspects of the National Curriculum of your chosen subject (this document is available via the internet at www.nc.uk.net)

• are aware of and reasonably well informed about current educational topics/issues

• visit a state secondary school and discuss with teachers their roles and responsibilities, expectations and concerns.

Careful consideration is given to every applicant regardless of ethnic background, religion, age, disability and gender.  Whilst in all appointments the best candidate should be appointed, the Code of Practice recommended by the Equal Opportunities Commission and the guidelines set out by TDA ‘Able to Teach’ document will be closely followed.

Applications
All applications are made via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) who provide application forms and a guidance handbook. 
GTTR,
Rosehill,
New Barn Lane,
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire.
GL52 3LZ. 
Tel. No. 0870 1122200

Electronic applications can also be made on-line.
Website address: www.gttrr.ac.uk

Criminal Convictions (CRB)
A requirement for entry to our course is a successful clearance, with an 'enhanced disclosure', in respect of any criminal convictions (including any bind-overs and cautions).  A CRB Disclosure Application Form will be enclosed with our conditional offer letter sent to all successful applicants.
CTG requires all applicants who have been offered a place to go through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced Disclosure process. This process must be completed as part of the admission procedure even if you have recently done this for other purposes (for example, for employment).
Whilst the CRB application itself only asks for details of 'unspent convictions', it is important that you know that the CTG requires you to detail all convictions, bind-overs and cautions and, for the purposes of your application to this programme, none of these are regarded as 'spent', no matter how long ago they occurred. Consequently, you must ensure that you advise CTG of all such convictions, bind-overs and cautions.   Applicants with convictions, cautions or who have been bound over are not automatically barred from our course.  CTG will invite the applicant to a short meeting where they can submit further information concerning their circumstances and then a decision is taken as to whether to confirm the offer. 

Physical and Mental Fitness to teach
All trainees are required to submit a ‘Physical and Mental Fitness’ questionnaire.  You must fill in the questionnaire fully and honestly. If you do not do this and subsequently register for our course, the matter will then be investigated under the CTG’s procedures and may result in the offer of a place being withdrawn, even when a known medical condition would not have precluded entry to the course. The information you provide in the ‘Physical and Mental Fitness’ questionnaire is checked by the CTG’s Medical Doctor and, in some circumstances, further information is sought.

A firm offer of a place depends upon the successful outcome of the above procedures.