Specialty training at ST3 - application guidance

National recruitment processes for 2025

Recruitment for paediatricss mirrors the process in 2024, with a shortlisting process based on part of the application, which determines those applicants that are invited to be interviewed. Interviews themselves are held virtually.

The format of shortlisting is adapted to include a shorter, more defined entry method for applicants, with no long "white-space" answers. In short this means:

• All "written" answers input into the Oriel application form will be limited to a maximum of 50 words per section
• Some items may be entered via drop-down boxes
• Applicants will be asked to identify the best examples of skills/attributes/experience from their career against the scoring criteria
• There will be no 'Supporting statement'
• Scoring sections will be:
  • Additional qualifications
  • Transferable Clinical skills
  • Transferable Clinical experience and reflection
  • Quality Improvement Project/Audit
  • Academic achievements
  • Teaching

National recruitment processes for 2025-26

Recruitment for ST3 paediatrics is composed of two elements:

1. Application form (white-space questions) for shortlisting, to cover: Past achievements, Teaching, Management, Clinical experience
2. 40-minute virtual interview, made up of 2 x 17-minute stations, to cover: Communication, Clinical thinking, Reflective practice and Governance & Leadership

In recent years the number of eligible applicants (after longlisting) has exceeded the interview capacity available across our virtual interview centres by a good number. So application scores are used as a shortlisting tool to determine invites to interview against overall capacity.

Appointability will then be determined using the interview scores, with a final appointability threshold of 55% or more. Full details of stations, scenarios and scoring can be found in the ST3 applicant guide (to be published by the start of November 2024) - see Downloads box.

Dates for 2025-26 recruitment

Applications for National Round 2 (R2), for applicants looking to join the paediatric training pathway at ST3 in August/September 2025 opened at 10:00, 14 November 2024. The complete timeline is in the below table.

The recruitment process includes three parts: longlisting; shortlisting (based on the application form); and a virtual interview, for those who are successfully shortlisted. Successful trainees will commence their posts in August/September 2025.

The NHSE website also provides general information on national recruitment, including full national timelines and 2025-26 specific guidance documents.

Details of R3, for ST3 posts beginning in February/March 2026, will be posted here, after the close of R2 (i.e. after Tuesday 6 May 2025).

Person specifications and application guidance

You will make their application on the Oriel application system.

You need to demonstrate relevant paediatric training equivalency and be registered with and licensed by the General Medical Council (GMC).

You do not need to upload accompanying evidence, apart from the Certificate of Core Paediatric Training Capabilities form. Either the 2024-25 or 2025-26 versions of this form (based on the capabilities that form part of the Progress+ curriculum, introduced from August 2023) will be accepted for the 2025-26 recruitment rounds and the latter can be found in the Downloads box at the bottom of this page.

The ST3 2025 person specification and shortlisting (application) scoring framework certificate form can be found in the Downloads box. The 2025-26 applicant guide will also be posted here by the start of November 2024. Make sure you have read and understood all the updated guidance documents before making your application.

You should refer to the scoring framework to guide your completion of the application form, in particular. All applications will be shortlisted by two clinical assessors (all paediatric consultants and possibly some senior paediatric trainees).

Paediatric specialty training webinar and Q&A - 17 October 2024

The RCPCH Medical Recruitment team hosted a webinar and Q&A, for anyone planning to apply to ST1 or ST3, on Thursday 17 October 2024. This was presented by Dr Blanche Lumb, RCPCH Trainee Representative for Recruitment, Dr Simon Broughton, RCPCH Officer for Recruitment and James Clark, RCPCH Head of Medical Recruitment.

The audience was guided through all parts of the recruitment process and provided with tips on what makes a successful application, including completing the application form and how to start preparing for the interview. 

Here is a recording of the webinar: 

Post numbers

445 applications were made to ST3 in 2024 )up from 340), for a total of 63 posts. The final fill rate was 100%, with all posts filled at the end of the overall recruitment process.

The table below displays the post numbers for Round 2 (for August/September start), confirmed as of 9 March 2025.

Contact

For any queries about the process, please contact the Paediatric National Recruitment Office at england.paedsnro@nhs.net