Teacher - Secondary School - History

Do you have a keen interest in history? Could you use your passion to inspire young people to learn about past events and ways of life? If so, you may have a future as a history teacher!

Working in a state or independent school, you could teach students who are between 11 and 18 years old. Some history teachers are based in a college or learning centre.

As a history teacher, your main task is bring past human activities and achievements to life for pupils. You'll use your knowledge to help young people appreciate the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, Britain and beyond!

But you won't just equip your pupils with a top-class historical knowledge. You'll also help them develop skills in evaluating a range of different sources and evidence.

History teachers work with pupils of all abilities! You'll prepare young people to take National Qualifications and Highers in your subject.

You'll inspire pupils to take pride in their achievements, both in and beyond the classroom. It's your job to help them build good relationships with other students and teachers, playing a positive part in school life and the local community.

Sometimes, you'll deal with challenging behaviour! It can be difficult to get some teenagers to take part in educational activities. So, you'll need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.

You'll occasionally attend meetings and training courses. History teachers work closely with colleagues to plan school timetables. Occasionally, you'll collaborate with other professionals, such as educational psychologists and social workers.

Your tasks might include:

• preparing lessons and teaching materials

• delivering history lessons about a range of different subjects

• assessing pupils’ progress and marking their work

• setting homework and marking it once young people have submitted it

• organising relevant field trips to historical sites, events and social activities

• discussing pupils' progress with parents and carers

• Teach in Scotland – find out everything you need to know about working as a history teacher

• The General Teaching Council for Scotland – explore the independent regulator for teachers

• Education Scotland – check out curriculum information, advice and resources for teachers across the country