Preparing for a shortageof Latin specialist teachers

Preparing for a shortageof teachers whose first subject is

Latin

What is the issue?

Every year for the next five years:

• 64 trained Classics teachers intend to leave the profession• 28 Classics teachers will be trained on PGCE courses• 7 Classics teachers will follow a GTP course

Shortfall of 29 specialist teachers per year (145 after 5 years) assuming no growth in demand.

Schools re-advertising this year

• Camden School for Girls • Cheltenham Ladies College • Colchester RGS • Guildford High School • Ibstock Place School • Stockport Grammar School

Increase in demand for Latin

YearNumber of secondary schools

offering Latin

2000 700

2008 1,050

Conclusion

There are more students wanting to learn Latin than can be taught with specialist Latin teachers.

Either:1. reduce the number of students learning Latin

or: 2. support teachers whose first subject is not Latin.

Can students learn Latin with teachers whose first subject is not

Latin?

Stage 4 Stage 8 Stage 12

‘First subject’ schools

92% 86% 86%

‘Not first subject’ schools

97% 94% 96%

Percentage of students passing tests in CLC Book I

What do we mean by ‘specialist’and ‘non-specialist’ teachers?

• Teacher training qualification?• Subject knowledge?

– 1 or 2 years?– GCSE/O level?– A level?– BA?– PhD?

• What skills are required to be a good teacher of Latin?

Percentage of ‘non-specialists’ with a Latin qualification

No Latin qualification (19%)

Some Latin qualification (81%)

Breakdown of qualifications of ‘non-specialists’

O Level/GCSE

A Level

UniversityNon-UK qualification

“I feel that a subject specialist is needed to monitor/encourage/coach those [students] experiencing difficulties. E-tutor/facilitator is next best thing… Role of facilitator is very important in encouraging/motivating students. Should ideally be a Latin specialist, I feel – although the kids liked the fact that I was

learning with them (I didn’t!).”

What are the issues for…

• Students?• Specialist teachers?• Non-specialist teachers?• Schools?• Publishers?• Awarding bodies?• Universities?• Teacher training institutions?• Subject organisations?