Interview Process

If your application is successful, you will receive an invite to interview letter/email containing details of the interview process.

During your interview, you will be assessed by our panel of professionals from Tykes Teaching Alliance, our partner schools and occasionally representatives from Sheffield Hallam University. The event will last approximately two to three hours and will include:

A meet and greet – an introductory talk about the course and Training to Teach with Tykes Teaching Alliance.
A learning walk, where you will be shown around school by a group of students.
An individual interview.
A teaching task.

At this stage we assess your interview on:

Your ability to communicate clearly, both orally and on paper.
Your knowledge of the area of education that you are interested in.
Your interest in, and commitment to, a future career in teaching.
Your ability to work effectively with children in an educational setting (for primary education courses, you are required to bring the reference from the educational setting that you attend).

Please read through the guidance notes that we send out to you before your interview takes place and be prepared for the session.

Please note that during the Covid-19 pandemic, we will be conducting selection events remotely via our online platform on Zoom. Based upon Government guidance and information from Sheffield Hallam University, changes may be made to the above process. However you will receive this information prior to your interview day.

Primary courses

Primary (3-7) (3DFL)

On successful completion of the course students are awarded QTS, PGCE, comprising 60 credits at Master Level 6. Students are placed in two highly performing schools, mentored by good and outstanding teachers - wherever possible this will be with a Specialist Leader of Education for the Early Years. They will experience all aspects of school life which is invaluable when applying for future teaching positions. Students will spend more than 120 days in schools on placement. We will also arrange for students to visit provision to increase their awareness of where children transition into the Early Years Foundation Stage from and where they transition to when leaving Key Stage 1. Students will also have the opportunity to view best practice for SEN and EAL children. Students will be placed in two primary schools within the Barnsley borough, placement schools will be selected based on the strength of their provision. Wherever possible will be place students in placement schools that are located conveniently for their needs, especially if the student has caring responsibilities. Students will not be expected to travel further than 25 miles from their home address to their placement school. Students will be asked their preferred key stage (KS1 or KS2) and will spend the vast majority of their placement within this key stage. Students will spend September and early October in their substantive placement school before spending 9 weeks in their alternative key stage in their swap placement school. They then return to their substantive school from January through to June. This 6-month block allows students to develop a sense of ownership of their class and develop relationships with children, parents and the staff team.

Primary (5-11) (3DFM)

On successful completion of the course students are awarded QTS, PGCE, comprising 60 credits at Master Level 6. Students are placed in two highly performing schools, mentored by good and outstanding teachers. They will experience all aspects of school life which is invaluable when applying for future teaching positions. Students will spend more than 120 days in schools on placement. We arrange for students to visit EYFS provision to increase their awareness of where children transition into Key Stage 1 from, we will also arrange for students to visit a secondary school to increase their awareness of where children transition on to from Key Stage 2. Students will also have the opportunity to view best practice for SEN and EAL children. Students will be placed in two primary schools within the Barnsley borough, placement schools will be selected based on the strength of their Early Years and KS1 provision. Wherever possible will be place students in placement schools that are located conveniently for their needs, especially if the student has caring responsibilities. Students will not be expected to travel further than 25 miles from their home address to their placement school. Students will be asked their preferred key stage (EYFS or KS1) and will spend the vast majority of their placement within this key stage. Students will spend September and early October in their substantive placement school before spending 9 weeks in their alternative key stage in their swap placement school. They then return to their substantive school from January through to June. This 6-month block allows students to develop a sense of ownership of their class and develop relationships with children, parents and the staff team.

Primary with Physical Education (AT39)

This course prepares you for a career as a skilled primary teacher, specialising in physical education. As well as dedicated PE tuition, you gain an up-to-date knowledge of core Key Stage 1 and 2 subjects including English, science and mathematics. On successful completion of the course students are awarded QTS, PGCE, comprising 60 credits at Master Level 6. Students take part in a summer school PE and sport programme designed to develop specialist skills to lead physical education in a primary school setting. The PE programme includes the opportunity to take part in a 5 day PE placement in Gran Canaria. This takes place the week following February half term and provides PE trainees with a taste of what it might be like working in an international school. Sheffield Hallam offers funding to support this experience (this funding is determined year on year). Students are placed in two highly performing schools, mentored by good and outstanding teachers. They will experience all aspects of school life which is invaluable when applying for future teaching positions. Students will spend more than 120 days in schools on placement. We arrange for students to visit EYFS provision to increase their awareness of where children transition into Key Stage 1 from, we will also arrange for students to visit a secondary school to increase their awareness of where children transition on to from Key Stage 2. Students will also have the opportunity to view best practice for SEN and EAL children. We invite applicants who successfully meet the application criteria to attend a Selection Event at one of our schools. Students will be placed in two primary schools within the Barnsley borough, schools placement schools will be selected based on the strength of their provision, with a particular focus on physical education. Wherever possible will be place students in placement schools that are located conveniently for their needs, especially if the student has caring responsibilities. Students will not be expected to travel further than 25 miles from their home address to their placement school. Students will be asked their preferred key stage (KS1 or KS2) and will spend the vast majority of the their placement within this key stage. Students will spend September and early October in their substantive placement school before spending 9 weeks in their alternative key stage in their swap placement school. They then return to their substantive school from January through to June. This 6 month block allows students to develop a sense of ownership of their class and develop relationships with children, parents and the staff team.

Explore Training to Teach With Us

Our promise to all our trainees is to deliver progressive school direct teacher training with support, guidance and professional development opportunities.

From the outset, dedicated, experienced mentors and staff within our family of schools welcome you and support you as a member of our school community.

Our team is committed to providing the very best training at the start and throughout your teaching year. They will drive, guide and develop you to prepare you to enter into the teaching profession.

Apply

Entry requirements for the courses are a 2:2 degree, along with GCSE maths, English and science (for primary) at grade C/4 or equivalent.

All teachers are expected to be competent in Fundamental English and mathematics. Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers are expected to make an assessment of English and maths knowledge of a trainee before QTS is awarded.

The application window for the September 2023/2024 cohort will open via APPLY in early October 2022.

Please contact our team to find out more about your training options.

Click on the UCAS link to apply.

Learn

Tykes TA training is fun, innovative and exciting. Training with us will enable you to fulfil your ambition in becoming a future teacher.

From the amazing things you will experience and the day to day things that you will learn, you will certainly have structure and a supportive ‘family’ around you to progress.

School based learning is bespoke to all our individual trainees. You will have an experienced mentor to encourage and guide you throughout your training. You will also have additional support colleagues within your host school as well as tutors from SHU.

Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) deliver taught training sessions to ensure trainees are fully equipped to enter the teaching profession. The programme covered is innovative and relevant to the current climate and needs of the local region.

Our family of schools provides many opportunities for sharing excellent practice. Help and support is always at hand whenever you need it.

Nurture

You are safe hands, is our philosophy for all trainees. We foster a nurturing approach to all trainees and provide everything that you need to be the very best that you can be.

Our guiding principle is to support, nurture and grow trainees throughout the alliance.

We champion equality and opportunity for all and we host inclusive working environments for everyone.

At Tykes TA, we pride ourselves on a holistic support for trainees where the wellbeing of individuals is at the heart of working together. We care.

Grow

Graduating the programme means the award of QTS/PGCE qualifications (60 credits at Masters Level).

Upon graduation, Tykes TA offers all graduates support to gain employment.

95% of our trainees succeed to secure employment as NQTs before or after graduation.

We are a registered Appropriate Body for Early Careers Teachers (ECTs), therefore we can continue to support you throughout your first year of teaching and beyond.

We provide an extensive portfolio of career pathways that are available to every teacher starting their journey with Tykes TA.

We promote a breadth of continuous professional development courses, Early Career Teachers, Middle and Senior Leader training and National Qualification programmes.