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How to Apply

Apply for your initial teacher training programme with Exchange Teacher Training now!

  1. Browse the courses we have available and check the entry requirements.  You can also search for available courses by visiting DfE find.
  2. When you have decided to apply to us, Apply on the government website. You can find our unique course codes on our primary and secondary course pages.
  3. Track the progress of your application, see your interview date and check the outcome. Once we have received your application, we will aim to respond to you within two days.

The Get into Teaching website provides some useful tips on completing your application, including writing your teacher training personal statement, choosing your references and preparing for interviews.

When choosing your references, please ensure that:

  • one of your references is from your current or most recent employer
  • if you are a recent graduate, one of your references is from your university
  • if you are working or volunteering in a school or with children or young people, please provide a reference from the school/organisation.
  • all references must be provided on DfE Apply system via work/professional email addresses. Personal email accounts will not be accepted.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept open references from supply agencies, or testimonials or references from friends or relatives without a professional email or work address.

The selection process

Our recruitment process is designed to explore your potential: we are not looking for the finished article! You will be welcomed by professionals brought together from across the Exchange Teacher Training partnership, all of whom have been in the position of a prospective trainee.

Shortlisting

When we shortlist your application, we are looking for

  • evidence that you meet our entry requirements
  • your knowledge, skills and understanding that demonstrate your interest in a career in education and your potential to be a teacher
  • any previous experience working or volunteering with children and young people (not essential!)
  • high standards of written English including spelling, punctuation and grammar.

If your application is shortlisted, one of our team will call you to discuss your application further, give more information on our interview process and book you in for an interview.

Interview

At your interview, we will be assessing your

  • interest in, and commitment to, a future career in teaching.
  • knowledge of the area of education that you are interested in.
  • ability to work effectively with children or young people in an educational setting.
  • ability to communicate clearly, both orally and on paper.

Please read through the guidance notes that we send out to you before your interview takes place and be prepared for the session. If invited for an interview, you will be expected to provide evidence of your qualifications, information about past experiences and education.

You will prepare and present an engaging lesson activity to an interview panel. The teaching task will be based on a brief you have been given prior to interview, linked to your phase/subject, and should last approximately 10-15 minutes.

Teachers are expected to be role models for literacy, so this 15-minute written task will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write accurately, with correct grammar and spelling. The written task will also help us gauge how well you can articulate your thoughts, structure ideas and use clear, professional language.

At this stage we are assessing you
  • ability to communicate clearly, both orally and on paper.
  • knowledge of the area of education that you are interested in.
  • interest in, and commitment to, a future career in teaching.
  • ability to work effectively with children in an educational setting.

Please read through the guidance notes that we send out to you before your interview takes place and be prepared for the session. If invited for an interview, you will be expected to provide evidence of your qualifications, information about past experiences and education.

What happens after interview?

Following your interview, we will notify you of the outcome and provide an opportunity for verbal feedback.

If you are successful, a conditional offer will be placed on the DfE Apply system with clear conditions for the next steps of the application process. Once the offer has been accepted, you will receive further information about the course, pre-course events and pre-programme checks including a DBS and fit to teach check.

When we begin the process of matching you to your placement schools, we will endeavour to consider any special requests you may have.

There will be a formal interview with a panel of senior leaders from Exchange Teacher Training and our partner schools. This is an opportunity for you to share with us why you want to be a teacher of your subject or phase. You will be asked subject or phase specific questions centred on the relevant National Curricula and Programmes of Study. Be sure to research these prior to your interview!