Recruitment Process

Our assessment days take place face-to-face, locally with colleagues from the SCITT team at our Lead Partners:

  • Barr Beacon School – Secondary
  • Ryders Hayes Primary School – Walsall Primary Partnership
  • Manor Primary School – Wolverhampton Primary Partnership

Applicants who are invited to interview will be sent an invite to interview booklet which goes through the process of preparing for the assessment day in detail. The day will consist of a number of different elements which will allow us to assess your potential to train to teach and whether you have the key attributes, skills and qualities to become a trainee at Barr Beacon SCITT. You will have the opportunity to ask any programme or school specific questions you may have at interview.

What takes place during

your assessment?

Subject Knowledge Assessment

Primary Courses: A 60-minute assessment of your primary national curriculum knowledge, which includes an assessment of your written English skills.

Secondary Courses: A 50-minute test of your subject knowledge up to the age range you are expected to teach (11-16 courses this is up to GCSE level, 14-19 courses this is up to A Level). You will also complete a 10-minute assessment of your written English skills.

A Teaching Episode & Pre-Prepared Presentation: A 15-minute teaching episode in a topic defined by the SCITT with a small group of pupils from the age-phase you have applied for. Along with a 5-minute pre-prepared presentation on a given topic area with a short Q&A session.

Formal Interview: A formal interview on all aspects of becoming a teacher. There is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

Recruitment Process.

Who are we looking for?

Throughout the assessment day you will be assessed against your potential to train to teach. This looks at some essential skills, qualities and attributes that a Barr Beacon SCITT trainee can demonstrate. These are listed below:

Professional Responsibilities
  • Awareness of the role and responsibilities of a teacher and school environments.
  • Resilience.
  • Enthusiasm for and commitment to teaching.
  • Awareness of personal strengths and areas of development.
Aptitude for Teaching
  • Ability to engage and enthuse students in the subject.
  • Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the students and manage the learning environment.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, using standard spoken and written English.
  • Awareness of the provider and our programme.
Subject Knowledge

  • Secondary: Appropriateness of subject qualifications and knowledge and relevance to the teaching of the subject.

  • Primary: Appropriateness of qualifications and knowledge and relevance to primary teaching.

  • Capacity to extend subject knowledge.

  • Be able to demonstrate that they have completed research into their subject area.

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks.

At Barr Beacon SCITT we are guided by the Department for Education’s guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024) and all offers to Barr Beacon SCITT are subject to enhanced DBS clearance prior to the commencement of the course.

Health and Physical Capacity to Teach – Barr Beacon SCITT has a responsibility to ensure that trainees have the health and physical capacity to teach. This will take the form of a questionnaire prior to the commencement of the course.

Background Checks – At Barr Beacon SCITT all trainees are subject to a TRA prohibition to teach check, a disqualification check and a right to work check. In addition we may contact references from a trainee’s application for further information if required. There is an opportunity at interview for applicants to discuss all statutory checks in more detail.

Equality and Diversity – Barr Beacon SCITT is committed to promoting and practicing equality of opportunity, valuing diversity and eliminating harassment and discrimination. We are an inclusive organisation which welcomes and treats both staff and trainees fairly and equally regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnic origin or nationality. Our workforce should be representative of the communities we serve. Legislation designed to eliminate unfair discrimination and promote equality of opportunity is in place and is adhered to by the SCITT, which include:

The Equality Act (2010) Race Relations Amendment Act (RRAA) (2000) The Disability Discrimination Acts (1995 and 2005) The Protection from Harassment Act (1997) Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001).

The SCITT provides opportunities for applicants to identify any special arrangements that they may require. Applicants can find further information on Page 7 of their Assessment Day Information Pack.