The application process

You need to apply for a place with Manchester Nexus using the Apply service via Apply for teacher training – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You should also fulfil the following requirements:

School Experience

It is not a requirement that you have school experience. However, candidates have reported that they find it beneficial. You may find that it can have a positive impact on your confidence and your understanding of the modern classroom. We appreciate that this may have been even more difficult, due to the pandemic, so please do not see lack of experience as a reason to not apply with us.

Personal statement

You will be required to submit a personal statement expressing your reasons for applying for Teacher Training, why you want to become a teacher and how your experiences, personal skills and attributes will allow you to become an effective teacher.

References

You will be required to provide the names of 2 referees. One of these referees should ideally be an academic reference from your first degree university, if you graduated within the last 5 years, and one should be from an employer where possible, who can testify to your character, personal attributes and qualities. You should avoid supplying references that have come from a personal acquaintance. This will prolong the application process as we will need to request that you provide a professional reference instead.

DBS checks

At interview, you will be required to verify your identity, preferably from a current photographic ID. A passport or driving licence and proof of address will be suitable. *There may occasionally be exceptional reasons where none is available on the day of interview. In this case please inform us ahead of time.

You will be required to obtain a certificate for an enhanced DBS check as you will be engaging in regulated activity, if successful in your application for a training place.

Qualifications

It is a requirement that all entrants (Primary and Secondary phases) have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (Grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics. Additionally Primary trainees must have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (Grade C) in the GCSE examination in a Science subject. These qualifications or accepted equivalency tests must be in in place before an application is made. As this is a Post-Graduate degree, a first degree is needed to apply. Normally, the required degree will be of a 2.2 level or above; however, we would encourage you to contact us directly if you would like to apply and you have a 3rd. For Primary this can be any degree in any subject. For Secondary this is ideally a degree 50% related to your chosen subject.

Health and Physical capability to teach

Before final acceptance on the course, all candidates who are offered a firm or conditional place will complete and return a declaration of health questionnaire. This information will be considered by the medical adviser who will request additional information if necessary. The majority of trainees sail through this process so you shouldn’t be alarmed.

The Interview process

All interviews take place face to face. The interview panel will be made up of the Head of Recruitment, representatives from our partner schools and phase or subject specialists. Primary trainees are assessed in numeracy and literacy, as well as the panel interview.