I'm considering teaching ancient history ... please help!?

Question

Hi, I've just completed my BA (hons) degree in ancient history and archaeology (with a 2:1 classification) and am thinking about teaching at secondary school level. Does anyone know anything about the new GCSE for ancient history? I read about it in the news when it came out but have heard nothing since. Also, the funding for PGCEs is not considerable. I currently earn £17000 per annum, and would not be able to live and pay the rent on a £5000 bursary. Is there any other funding available? What are my chances of getting a job after finishing?

Or ... can I become an examiner for history/ancient history without being a trained teacher?

Many thanks!

Answer 1

I'm a history teacher, and I haven't heard of this new GCSE. Your best bet by far would be to do the ordinary history PGCE and then look for jobs that particularly interest you. I think you might find that ancient history is only taught in grammar or private schools - the kind that do Latin/Classics.

The new history curriculum is much more flexible than it was. You can always get a job as a history teacher in a comp and then design a scheme of work that links in with your ancient history expertise.

Re the funding, there is also a hardship grant you can apply for - it is very do-able. You would have to live on a budget but you'll be fine.

Examiner work is seasonal so I don't think you could make a career of it

Answer 2

After finishing, you do have a good chance of being employed. However, Ancient World History is not taught anywhere near as much as later modern history (periods from the 1800's and above)

Being an examiner is seasonal work, so if you were to do this, you would also need another job for the rest of the year. However, you cannot be an examiner without being a trained teacher. Examiner positions are offered to teachers. To be a Invigilator, you could do this without training and cover many different subjects, however this is also Seasonal, and would require another job. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm in a different country, so I can't help you with questions about the job market or the accreditation process. But I've been teaching for 11 years and teaching world history to 10th graders (age15-16) for five years now. It's a very rewarding, if sometimes frustrating job.

Universities in the US tend to have placement and alumni services offices that specialize in helping graduates find jobs and get their certifications. Teacher unions and the human resources or personnel offices in local school districts should also be of some help on the specifics. From what I know from talking to teachers with experience in different countries, there tends to be a front door to getting hired (through a school district's personnel office) and a back door (getting to meet and handing your resume or CV over to a principal or headmaster who is looking for new teachers to hire). So in addition to getting your certfications finished and your applications in, it's helpful to network around and get people to know who you are.

Finally, I suspect in most job markets, "soft skill" jobs in the humanities and social sciences are harder to come by than are those in math and the hard sciences since most of those teachers tend to have other job opportunities out of the teaching field. But there's always room in the world for good teachers, so good luck!