Teach SouthEast is part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust.  For policies and key documents please click here. 

Xavier Teach SouthEast Recruitment Framework                  

Our Recruitment Process

We are committed to recruiting high-quality trainees who share our vision for excellence in education. Our process is designed to be fair, transparent, and supportive.

Steps in the process:

1. Application submission - Candidates can apply via our fast-track application form or via DfE Apply
2. Initial screening - Applications are reviewed against our eligibility criteria
3. Interview - Conducted by two members of Xavier Teach SouthEast central team and/or Regional Delivery Hub team either at Salesian school in Chertsey (Surrey Hub) or the Regional Delivery Hub lead school.
4. Second stage interview - only applicable for salaried and apprentice shortlisted candidates - held at the potential employing school
5. Offer and onboarding - Successful candidates receive an offer and begin pre-course preparation

2. Safer recruitment

We follow safer recruitment principles to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils:

• All candidates undergo enhanced DBS checks
• Gaps in employment history are explored during interview
• Any offers are conditional until candidate and previous ITT (if applicable) references have been approved

3. Candidate criteria

Applicants are assessed against:

• Academic qualifications - degree-level or equivalent and the necessary GCSE or equivalent grades in English, Maths (and Science if primary).
• Commitment to teaching and learning
• Professional conduct and resilience
• Subject knowledge
• Literacy skills including communication skills
• Alignment with our values and safeguarding principles
• The job description for a trainee teacher as described here

4. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion. Recruitment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role of a teacher.

5. SEND needs and reasonable adjustments

We actively support candidates with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the process to ensure fairness and accessibility.

6. Response times

We aim to respond to all applications within 10 working days of submission. Interview outcomes are communicated within 5 working days.

7. Salaried and apprentice routes

Where a vacancy is available, we offer:

• Salaried and apprenticeship routes - for candidates with prior experience. Candidates will only be selected for this route if they can demonstrate:
  • Previous teaching / related experience
  • Readiness to plan and deliver classes from day one of the course
  • Suitable subject knowledge to be the sole classroom teacher
  • Suitable behaviour management and communication skills that equip them to be the sole classroom teacher
  • Resilience to take on the rigors of the course including increased timetable and other staff commitments e.g. parents’ evenings etc
• Shortlisted candidates will attend a second school-based interview to assess classroom readiness and suitability for the placement environment.
• Primary salaried/apprenticeship candidates are welcome to interview with us if they come to us with a potential employing school that they have an existing relationship with. All other primary offers will be for fee-paying places only.

9. Reapplication

Candidates are permitted to apply to any of the Xavier Teach SouthEast regional delivery hubs a maximum of two times. This policy ensures fairness and provides applicants with the opportunity to reflect, gain additional experience, and strengthen areas identified at the previous interview.

If a candidate is unsuccessful a second time, they will not be eligible to apply again. Any subsequent applications will be automatically declined. This approach maintains the integrity of our recruitment process and ensures that opportunities are allocated equitably.

Candidates who joined the course and then withdraw, for whatever reason, must reapply. Candidates who deferred mid-course, are eligible to restart the course within a 2-year window.

9. Regional delivery hubs

If a candidate is unsuccessful at any Xavier Teach SouthEast regional delivery hub interview, their application will be withdrawn from all Xavier Teach SouthEast hubs. This means that a rejection from one hub applies across the entire Xavier Teach SouthEast network to maintain consistency and integrity in our recruitment process.

Candidates must declare at interview if they have applied to more than one Xavier hub. Failure to disclose this information may result in withdrawal of the application.

10. Use of AI at recruitment

While AI tools can assist with ideas and structure, candidates’ personal statements should accurately reflect their own voice and language skills. Using AI to mask non-fluency or communication issues will be challenged at interview as good communication abilities (both written and verbal) are essential to the role of a teacher. Where extensive AI use is suspected, Xavier Teach SouthEast reserve the right to perform an AI screening check and reject applications as advised by the DfE. 

Complaints

For the Complaints Procedure Policy for all SCITT trainees on the Xavier Teach SouthEast Programme please refer to the policy below: