Your teaching journey begins here...
Congratulations you've been invited to interview!
Trinity Institute of Education has put together this support page full of materials to guide your preparation for your upcoming teacher training interview. We want to see you achieve success in your interview and so we hope that you will find the content useful.
We believe we are unique in that we have dedicated Primary and Secondary Programme Leads. These individuals are highly qualified and provide specialist training, support and guidance throughout your programme.
Our partners
We believe we are unique in that we have dedicated Primary and Secondary Programme Leads. These individuals are highly qualified and provide specialist training, support and guidance throughout your programme.
We work in partnership with Calderdale and Kirklees Teaching School Hub and Yorkshire Rose Teaching Partnership to offer Initial Teacher Training through the National Institute of Teaching.
Preparing for interview day
We look forward to welcoming you to a Trinity Institute of Education interview day. Our main aim is to put you at ease to see the best in you!
Complete an online Subject Test prior to Interview Day:
This will test your phase and/or subject knowledge. Please scroll further down the page for more information/support.
Welcome and Introductions on Interview Day:
You will be greeted by our programme leads and admin team who will sign you in and collect all documentation (ID and certificates) needed for entry requirements. These are listed in your interview letter.
As part of the introduction process and ice-breaker task, you are required to bring along an object and explain how it best represents you.
15-minute Professionalism Task on Interview Day:
You will have 15 minutes to carry out a written task based upon professionalism in teaching and providing an example of when you have shown resilience.
Interview:
You will carry out an interview with at least two panel members. This will consist of 8 questions in total. There are support materials within this guide to prepare you for your interview.
Present a 4-minute Teaching Episode after your Interview:
Present a lesson introduction to the interview panel for your chosen subject/phase that fits within a 4-minute timeframe to the Trinity leads. The topic is listed on your interview letter.
If you are successful at interview, you will be expected to carry out a numeracy task at a later date.
Look at our selection criteria to see what we are looking for in a candidate: TIE Selection Criteria – Primary & Secondary
If you are Design and Technology, Art, MFL or Music, please check the dedicated section below for what you need to bring or prepare for your interview day.
Sample Interview questions to help you prepare:
What qualities will you bring to a teaching role?
Why do you want to teach?
What are your strengths and weaknesses within your subject/phase (Secondary specialism/Primary subjects)?
How would you help all pupils achieve their potential?
If I walked into your classroom during an outstanding lesson, what would I see and hear?
Hear from our trainees
Muqaddas Iqbal
Secondary - Biology
“TIE made the course feel achievable by breaking everything down into digestible steps, while still challenging us to think deeply and reflect constantly. The structure and support were spot on, everything from resources to regular check-ins helped keep the momentum going, even when things felt overwhelming.
They never let you fall behind and were always there to guide you back on track.”
Zoe Crossland
Secondary - Maths
“They provided an exceptional amount of support both for the PGCE and the in-school placements. Sue, Emma, Katy, and Elaine were always available to talk to, alleviating any worries I had throughout the year. The community at TIE always felt very inclusive and personalised. They provided me with all the right tools to successfully complete the training year, especially for the PGCE element, they were always there to help everyone.”
Phase/Subject Knowledge Test
This applies to both primary and secondary applicants
A phase/subject test must be carried out prior to your interview day. This will assess your knowledge and ability within your specialist area or phase and will be timed – 45 minutes in length.
Certain secondary subject areas such as MFL, Design and Technology and Science will have additional questioning to cover core curriculum expectations – please attempt to answer all questions.
All phase/subject tests will be graded by a Trinity MAT phase/subject specialist.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be asked to enter your e-mail details when you click on the link below – this will register you. The test will start as soon as you open it and cannot be paused. Your first attempt is your only submission that will be graded.
Please click on below for your phase/subject specialism and it will take you to the test. Only click on the link when you are ready to take the test.
Phase/Subject Knowledge Tests:
Documentation
What do I need to bring on interview day?
You will need to prepare and bring the following documentation for interview day. It is important that you bring originals and not copies.
GCSE Certificates: graded at a C/Level 4 and above
English Language and Maths.
Primary only: Science
Degree Certificate: graded at a 2:2 classification or above
All trainees need to produce their degree certificate.
Secondary only: A-level Certificate of subject you are applying for if your degree is not in this subject (Not applicable to Science applicants). Science trainees must send in proof of two A-level Science subjects. If your specialist subject is reflected in your A-level grade, you must also bring this certificate.
If your qualifications are from overseas, you will need to provide the ENIC statement of comparability certificate.
2 forms of ID:
Passport, driving licence, birth certificate and Proof of National Insurance (NI Card, P45 or P60). Marriage certificate or other documentation if name has changed.
Overseas Police Check:
If you have been outside of the UK for more than 3 months, at any point in the past 5 years, we will require you to provide overseas police check for the respective country. If you do not have one of these, please begin the process of obtaining this as soon as possible. Further information can be found on the .gov Website.
What if I do not have certificates?
GCSE/A-Level:
If you do not have your original GCSE certificates, you will need to obtain new ones. You can do this by contacting the exam board and ordering new certificates. You will need these when applying for teaching jobs too. If the document states statement of results, this is not an actual certificate.
Degree:
Again, if you do not have your original degree certificate, you will need to obtain new ones. You can do this by contacting the university and ordering new certificates. You will need these when applying for teaching jobs too. If your degree course is completed in the summer prior to starting, you must send through your results confirmation as soon as you receive them and bring in your certificate as soon as you receive it. If the document states transcript, this is not an actual certificate.
Conditional offer:
If the above are not brought to interview but you are offered a place on the course, the certificates will be part of the conditional offer to show as soon as you obtain. This must be done prior to the course start date.