Preparing for a teacher training interview can feel daunting, the process is designed to be positive and supportive. Interviews are a chance for providers to get to know you, your motivations and experiences, and your potential to develop as a trainee teacher.
While interview formats vary between organisations, most teacher training interviews follow a similar structure and focus on helping candidates feel able to show who they are and what they bring.
Below is a simple overview of what you can expect and how to prepare.
Talking about your journey into teaching
Nearly all teacher training interviews begin with a structured discussion about your motivations.
You may be asked to talk about:
- Why you want to become a teacher
- What inspired your interest in education
- Any experience you’ve had working with children or young people
- What you hope to gain from a training programme
This is your chance to share your story and your thinking. Interviewers are interested in your motivation, values and openness to learning, rather than expecting set or scripted answers.
Teaching or presentation activities
Many providers ask candidates to complete a short teaching, presentation or planning activity.
Activities may involve:
- Delivering a 5–10 minute teaching segment
- Presenting a concept clearly and engagingly
- Planning a simple learning activity
- Reflecting on what went well and what you would improve
Approaches differ between providers, and expectations are realistic. What matters most is your enthusiasm, passion, and clear, thoughtful communication, rather than on delivering a perfect lesson.
Written or reflective tasks
Some interviews include a short written task completed independently.
These tasks help assess:
- How clearly you express ideas in writing
- How you organise your thoughts
- How you respond to a prompt, scenario or short text
This gives providers a fuller picture of your academic potential and communication skills, both important for teacher training programmes.
What interviewers are looking for
Teacher training interviews are designed to assess your potential to train, not your existing teaching ability.
Providers typically look for:
- Motivation and commitment to teaching
- Ability to reflect and develop
- Professionalism and communication skills
- Understanding that teaching is both challenging and rewarding
- Experience or insight into working with young people
People enter teaching from a wide range of backgrounds, and interviews are built to reflect that.
A supportive and two-way process
A teacher training interview isn’t just about assessing you; it’s also your chance to explore whether the programme is right for you. You are encouraged to ask questions about the provider, the route, and get a feel for the values of the provider.
Remember: interviewers are not expecting perfection. They are looking for people who are ready to begin the journey of a career in teaching young people and making a difference.
If you are applying to train with us, we will share more detailed guidance if you are shortlisted, including what our interview process involves and what to expect from each stage.
Got questions? We hold weekly webinars for you to meet our SCITT leads and find out more about the programme. Join our next webinar.