University College Marjon Plymouth

Literacy Assessment

All applicants will be asked to take a literacy ‘test’ at interview.  This is in order to assess their command of written Standard English and reading.  Command of spoken Standard English is assessed during the interview.

For the literacy assessment at interview:

• Applicants are asked to read a short article from a national newspaper on an educational topic and respond to this in writing
• Applicants are given a pupil’s written response and asked to identify any errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar

Professional Attributes
This includes high expectations and commitment to realising and raising pupil potential; professional behaviour; facility for collaboration, reflection and innovation.

Professional Knowledge and Understanding
This includes subject knowledge as defined with your degree/academic qualification, but also the curriculum context of the subject – i.e. what and how it is taught in schools.

Professional skills in relation to teaching and learning
This includes your reflections from your own observation/experience of teaching/learning.  All applicants are expected to have had some experience/observation in a secondary school.

You will be assessed upon the following elements:

Subject knowledge per se - The essential knowledge and understanding needed in order to teach a subject effectively
Pedagogy: subject theory and practice - An understanding of the teaching skills and strategies needed to teach all pupils effectively
Pupils' development - An understanding of how learning is linked to pupils' development and their social, religious, etnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and contexts
Attitudes - Positive attitudes to pupils' learning that underpin subject knowledge, skills and understanding
(For more information, go to www.tda.gov.uk )

Preparation for interview

In order to prepare for the interview, all applicants for Geography with ICT are asked to:

1. Access/read the National Curriculum for KS3/KS4 Geography on www.nc.uk.net/ 
2. Visit QCA or DfES websites, and read the guidance provided on effective teaching and learning of Geography

Applicants are asked to give a 5 minute presentation at interview on the importance of geography’s place in the KS3 curriculum.  Unfortunately, within the remit of the interview, there are no OHT/Powerpoint facilities, but applicants are expected to present as if there were, and to provide the two tutors attending with copies of slides etc.  Applicants will also be asked to discuss in an informal way with the interviewers how they might use a resource provided for them in a Key Stage 3 geography lesson..