Initial Teacher Training

Why should I choose a career in teaching?

• Teaching is a rewarding and challenging profession.
• Working with young people is demanding, fun and there is never a dull moment.
• Teaching offers you the opportunity to continue studying Classics and to develop your own subject knowledge and interests.
• In teaching you will be working with colleagues from different academic disciplines.

How will I finance my training?

• From September 2000, postgraduate teaching trainees will receive a training salary of £6,000 per year - £150 per week.

How will my career develop?

• You may wish to make your career moves in the school context as, for example, Head of Department, Year Head, or a member of the Senior Management Team, perhaps reaching the giddy heights of Headship.
• Alternatively you may move from teaching in school to a university post or a post in educational administration.

What will I get paid?

Pay for a newly qualified teacher compares favourably with that of other graduates. The Secretary of State has made a commitment to increasing the salary scale for classroom teachers.

When should I do the Post Graduate Certificate in Education?

When you feel the time is right for you. Students on PGCE courses come from a range of previous academic and professional backgrounds. They include

• New and recent graduates with first degrees (though not necessarily firsts!)
• New and recent graduates with Masters degrees and Doctorates
• Graduates who have worked in careers such as the law, publishing, the wine trade, accountancy, The BBC, the Civil Service, merchant banking, the forces and multi-national companies.
• Graduates who have taken time out, for example, to travel, teach abroad or care for their families.

Where can I do the Post Graduate Certificate in Education?

• School of Education, University of Cambridge, The University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education, 184 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2PQ. (Tutor in Charge of PGCE Classics: Bob Lister)
• Dept of Education and Professional Studies, King’s College London, Room 2/16, Waterloo Bridge Wing, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Waterloo Road, London SE1 9NN (Tutor in Charge of PGCE Classics:  Aisha Khan
• Faculty of Education, University of Strathclyde, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow, G13 1PP. (Tutor in charge of PGCE Classics: Anthony Williams)

What qualifications do I need?

• A good degree preferably in Classics, Classical Civilisation or Ancient History
• GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English.

How do I apply?

• Go to the website for each of the three Higher Education Institutes which offer a PGCE in Classics.
• Get the prospectus for each of them.
• You may then want to have a talk with the tutor in charge of the PGCE Classics course at each HEI and possibly arrange a preliminary visit.
• Get an application form from the Graduate Teacher Training Registry - phone 01242 544788.