Criteria
This sheet explains NZGSE’s six entry criteria you must meet to be considered for a teacher training programme at NZGSE. There is also one additional criterion for applicants to our primary programme.
1. Have A Suitable Academic Background
As the name implies, New Zealand Graduate School of Education trains graduates as teachers. This means that you must have a degree to be considered for entry to one of our programmes.
An applicant for the secondary programme must have papers to at least 300 level in a teaching subject appropriate to the secondary school curriculum. (Applicants who wish to teach a technology subject in a secondary school, and who do not meet the requirement to have a degree plus 300 level papers, should contact us to discuss their qualifications.)
If you have an overseas degree, you may need to arrange for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to assess your qualification before we process your application.
2. Be Competent At Communicating In English
Competency in English is an important selection criterion, even for applicants who speak English as their first language. Mastery of spoken and written English is imperative for any person working in New Zealand schools.
The Teaching Council has a requirement regarding applicants’ experience of English in educational settings, and we include this rule in our selection process. For most New Zealanders, the requirement is automatically met through their previous schooling and tertiary study. Check the online info pack for details.
3. Be Of Good Character
We need to be reassured that you are a person of good character. On the application form, you are asked to provide the names and contact details of two referees who can confirm that you are a person of good character. We will also form our own impression if you are shortlisted for an interview. Here are some factors we consider.
Respect for others
We are wanting people who show respect for others, respect for New Zealand’s cultural and social values, and respect for other people’s views.
Law abiding
Teachers are role models for young people and need to respect the law. We ask you to declare, in your application, any convictions or pending court cases. We also conduct a New Zealand police check later in the enrolment process.
Trustworthy
We are wanting people who have a track record of being reliable, trustworthy and honest.
Caring
We are wanting those who will nurture and care for young people.
4. Be Fit To Be A Teacher
To be registered as a teacher in New Zealand, the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requires teachers to be “physically and mentally able to carry out a teaching role safely and satisfactorily”. In support of the Teaching Council, NZGSE requires all applicants to complete a Fitness to Teach Declaration. It explores aspects of physical and mental fitness, including neurodiversity. This helps us determine what support you may need to succeed, if we select you for one of our programmes.
It is important to know that a well-managed condition is not a barrier to successful teaching. There are many teachers in New Zealand with minor physical disabilities, or mental issues such as depression or anxiety, or are identified as neurodiverse, and who successfully manage their condition so it does not interfere with their teaching.
5. Be Suitable To Be A Teacher
Teaching is not for everyone. It requires resilience, commitment, patience, enthusiasm, assertiveness, cooperative skills and a willingness to learn. At NZGSE we are very careful to select applicants who will cope with our challenging programme and have personalities suitable for teaching. Your referees’ opinions, and our own views from interview, are used to assess your suitability for teaching.
6. Be Employable
An applicant may meet all of the previous criteria yet have a low likelihood of employment upon completing the programme. For example, this may occur for a secondary graduate with teaching subjects not currently required by schools . NZGSE may decline an application when we consider a person has a low chance of employment. We consider it unethical to train people in these circumstances.
Additional Criterion for Primary
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requires applicants for any programme leading to primary teaching to demonstrate competency in mathematics by achieving a score of at least 690 on the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT). This needs to be done prior to starting the programme. At NZGSE, this requirement applies to applicants for our Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).
The Teaching Council strongly recommends that applicants for primary initial teacher education programmes have completed NCEA Level 2 mathematics, although this is not a requirement. The Council describes LNAAT as being equivalent to NCEA Level 2 mathematics. Even so, applicants who have completed NCEA Level 2 mathematics still have to pass LNAAT.
More information about the Literacy and Numeracy Adult Assessment Tool (LNAAT) is available from NZGSE.