Primary education interviews

If you've applied to study either age phase Primary Education degree and have met the entry criteria, you will be invited to attend an interview. Once you have completed your interview, we will be able to make a decision about your offer.

Your interview will be conducted online via Teams.

Your interview includes a children's literacy task which comprises of two components, outlined below. Please ensure you complete the tasks and use the guidance provided to ensure that you're fully prepared for your interview. 

In preparation for your interview, you’ll be asked to research and select a book of your choice that you feel would be interesting to children in your chosen age range (e.g. Early Years or Later Years).

During the interview, you'll be asked to read a section of text from your chosen book for 2-3 minutes and to read as though you are reading to a class of children. It's important that you have your book to hand with you during the interview. 

You'll need to familiarise yourself with the story, think about how you'll deliver your reading and practice beforehand with family or friends. Intonation and using standard spoken English are an important aspect of a teacher’s role, so we will be looking to see these skills displayed too. 

After the reading, we'd like you to share questions that you might ask children about the story which you feel would generate a class discussion. 

You also need to produce a 200-word handwritten document explaining why you chose this text and how you would use it to support learning.

At the interview, you will have the opportunity to answer one of the following questions:

• Why do you want to be a teacher?
• Why do you want to train to be a teacher with us at Leeds Trinity University?
• In your own words, tell me what makes a successful teacher.
• How do you know that teaching is the right profession for you?

We’re looking for good communication skills and an understanding of the requirements of a trainee teacher, as well as an ability to respond to the topics with your thoughts and ideas. We won't be judging you on the ideas you share, so don't worry too much about this. The main thing we're looking for is that you demonstrate a passion for teaching.

Be calm

The interview is not designed to trick you or catch you out; instead, it’s a safe, friendly and relaxed environment for you to share your passion for teaching with a lecturer. We can’t wait to talk to you, so try and relax and smile and this will come through to the interviewer.

Be prepared

Prepare ideas for each question – you will not be able to include everything but try to have some key areas to cover so you can be clear and succinct. Read everything we’ve sent you very carefully – including your interview invitation and confirmation email. These are designed to give you everything you need to prepare, so check that you understand what will happen and what’s being asked of you.

Be passionate

Great teachers are passionate. They’re passionate about learning and about inspiring others to love learning. They’re passionate about making a difference to the lives of young children and shaping the next generation. Your interview is your chance to showcase the passion you have for a career in teaching and everything that involves.

Be professional

Think about the qualities of good teachers and how you can demonstrate these. It doesn’t matter what you wear as we won’t see it but try to engage professionally and think about how well you articulate yourself when speaking to others. And it goes without saying, but make sure you’re on time and your phone is on and charged.

Be knowledgeable

Showing that you have an opinion on the discussion topics is great, but make sure that you can back this up with your own experience or research. Doing your research is really important – you can use various sources to find out more about each discussion topic. The Times Educational Supplement, BBC Education and Guardian Education are all good online sources to start with.

Be interested and engaged

Your interviewer may ask you questions about your ideas so be prepared to discuss them and link them to any experiences you have working with children (this may or may not be in a primary classroom).