PGCE Physical Education Interview Day

Congratulations on gaining an interview for the PGCE Physical Education course at Loughborough University. This guidance informs you of the purpose and format of the interview, and should help you to prepare.

As we’re sure you appreciate, there are many applicants for a limited number of places, and it is important that our interview procedures ensure that we select the best candidates in terms of their suitability to embark upon a successful career in teaching.

On the day of your interview please go to the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) which can be found on the east side of our campus. The Interview is scheduled to take place from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Please use the entrance to NCSEM pictured here, not the NHS Patient entrance that displays on the campus map:

A picture of the entrance to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

If you are travelling by car, the nearest car parks are car parks 9, 13 and 14. If you are not able to find a space in any of these, you can use car park 1 which is a multi-storey on the west side of campus. Please make yourself familiar with the parking policy and charges.

Interview purpose and format

The purpose of the interview is to determine your suitability for the PGCE Course and teaching by focussing on your:

  • Qualifications
  • Intellectual and academic capabilities
  • Suitability and potential.

In particular, the interview procedures are designed to determine whether you meet the entry requirements for the course.

Keeping children and young people safe is essential, so applicants are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, other vetting checks and the interview will include questions about safeguarding children.

In addition, as prospective trainees and teachers, we strongly advise you to review your online presence, carefully consider what you share publicly online, and remove any content which may raise questions about your professionalism and/or suitability for teaching. In accordance with the Teachers’ Standards, teachers are expected ‘to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct and they must ‘uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school.’ Some online content may be seen or interpreted to contravene these standards, which may have unfortunate consequences for the individual involved. For example, most schools now undertake social media checks and if any incidents or issues come to light, this could lead to a school refusing to host or employ a trainee or teacher respectively.

Your understanding of the PGCE Physical Education course will be in focus here. You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of the programme.

During the small group discussion you will be expected to engage with other candidates to debate a range of issues connected with teaching physical education in schools today. Topics may include:

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Physical Education.
  • The National Curriculum for Physical Education.
  • Recent initiatives/policies and developments in PE.
  • Physical Education and health.

The main purpose of the individual interview is to focus on your specific qualifications, skills and abilities, experiences and personal qualities and to explore in particular your commitment to teaching.

You will given a set time to complete an in-tray task. You do not need to prepare anything in advance for this aspect of your interview.

You will be given a brief tour of campus. Following the interview you are welcome to explore the other areas of campus by yourself should you wish

Please note that you should dress appropriately for a formal interview. There is no practical element to this interview.

Interview requirements

Prior to your interview, it is strongly advised that you:

Prior to your interview, you are advised to:

  • Familiarise yourself with the National Curriculum for Physical Education including the Key Stage 3 and 4 Programmes of Study
  • Be reasonably well informed about current educational topics/issues
  • Consider the group discussion topics outlined
  • Discuss the topics with Physical Education teachers and/or friends or colleagues
  • Read the important programme information below
  • Reflect on your experiences and qualifications and why you might become a good teacher of PE.

What to bring to your interview

These must be original qualification certificates (not copies) of your GCSE in Maths and English Language or Literature. Don’t worry if you have not yet completed your degree and don’t therefore have your degree certificate, we can obtain this at a later date.

One form of identification from the following:

  • A current and valid Passport
  • A Biometric Residence Permit
  • A current Driving Licence photocard - (full or provisional)
  • Your birth certificate
  • Your adoption certificate.

Plus two other forms of identification from the following;

  • A current and valid Passport
  • a Biometric Residence Permit
  • a current Driving Licence photocard - (full or provisional)
  • your birth certificate; your adoption certificate
  • a Bank or Building society statement (issued in the last three months, print-outs from online banking/ downloaded PDF statements will not be accepted)
  • Marriage/civil partnership certificate
  • HM Forces ID card
  • Bank account opening confirmation letter (issued in the last three months)
  • Credit card statement (issued in the last three months)
  • Council Tax statement (issued in the last 12 months)
  • Utility bill (issued in the last three months. Not a mobile phone bill)
  • Mortgage statement (issued in last 12 months).

Please note: scanned copies of your ID and qualification documents will be confidentially stored by us. If for any reason you do not register on the PGCE programme, these copies will be deleted from our records.

Other things to bring

    A warm top/coat for the brief campus tour.

    Some lunch. There will be a short 30minute break at 12:00 and you may wish to have something to eat.

     

    Find out more about studying at Loughborough

     

    We wish you well in both your preparation for the interview and in the interview itself.