How we select our trainees

The RSA Academies’ Teaching School Alliance and BCU will check all applications. Those applicants meeting the entry criteria will be shortlisted and invited for interview which will involve:

• A range of tests and activities to test suitability for teaching.
• A formal interview which will consist of three persons on the panel asking a series of questions, covering a variety of topics.
• A short interaction with students. This will include a teaching element of up to 30 minutes.
• A 30 minute written task. Applicants will be given material to study relating to the task before the interview.

Once all applicants have been interviewed, the Director of Initial Teacher Training and representatives from the alliance will meet to discuss the outcome of the interviews, and begin to match up potentially successful applicants with the allocations available.

Once a list of selected applicants has been finalised, a provisional offer will be made in writing.  This offer is provisional until several checks and agreements have been made.

These include:

• References (if not already done).
• DBS.
• Physical & mental fitness to teach.
• Verification of qualifications (if not already done).
• Skills tests.

As part of the selection procedure, candidates will be requested to take part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess suitability to teach. All applicants applying to start a teacher training course are required to pass literacy and numeracy skills tests prior to entry, and undertake some experience in a school.

Applications are made via the UCAS website