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Can I do a general PGCE and teach in my uni degree subject

I want to do a PGCE but I want to teach at alevel. Which means if you are not teaching a core subject schools like you to be able to teach more than one subject. If I did an undergraduate degree in say history and a PGCE in social studies for example could I teach both ?

Reply 1

Eduweaver

I would assume from experience that it depends on demand. I've seen Music teachers teach KS3 German because they were fluent in that language, or PE teachers cover classes on Maths or Humanities because they had some knowledge of those subjects too. So the scope to teach more than one subject, regardless of subject specialism, is not impossible. What I'd be keen to check first is that doing a PGCE in social studies wouldn't affect your prospects of teaching history.

It might be that you can continue to focus on history, but find other pathways into teaching other subjects once you have a teaching job.

A lot of schools have sixth form provision. It might be possible to work in a school, but specialise in KS5. However, you may still teach a few classes at GCSE and lower.

A possible stepping stone, but it's up to you.

I hope this helps :smile:

Reply 2

hotpud

Original post by bubbles0020

When you get a job, you rarely have a contract that says you are a "Teacher of" which limits you to your chosen subject. You will generally get a contract that says "Classroom teacher" or similar which means you can be pushed to teach anything. However, if you know specifically what you want to teach, then pursue that. Bear in mind you may well need to cut your teeth in secondary education before you can move directly into 6th form and be aware that the pay for 6th form is a bit less than teachers.