Post Graduate Assistant Teacher of Classics

Harrow School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow School is seeking a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher of Classics starting September 2025. This role offers training, experience, and a chance to contribute to a vibrant Classics Department. The position includes rent-free accommodation, health cover, and meals during term time.

Benefits

Rent-free accommodation

Health cover

Free meals during term time

Qualifications

• Fixed term contract typically for one academic year.
• Experience in teaching and training provided.

Responsibilities

• Teach a reduced timetable of no more than 20 lessons per week.
• Assist in departments according to experience and ability.

Skills

Teaching

Classical Studies

Education

Postgraduate Degree

Job description

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for aPost Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) of Classics from September 2025.

The post comes with a generous package, including:

• Rent-free accommodation provided on the Hill.
• Health cover provided free of charge for you and at a reduced rate for any members of your immediate family that you may wish to add.
• All meals are provided free of charge during term time.

PGAT appointments are fixed term contracts and are typically for one academic year, with the possibility of the contract being renewed for a second year.PGATs teach a reduced timetable, typically including no more than 20 timetabled lessons of 40-minute duration per week, and assist in departments more generally in ways appropriate to their experience and ability. The School provides a formal programme of training for PGATs in skills both related to teaching and transferable to other professions.The role of PGAT will allow those interested in pursuing a career in teaching to gain directly relevant experience and training, and those more likely to move into another profession beyond the end of their time at Harrow to acquire skills beneficial for their future careers in other areas, including banking, consultancy and the law.

The Classics Department is one of the most vibrant and dynamic departments in the School, comprising eight teachers ("beaks") who share a wide range of interests across the Classical disciplines. We prepare boys for Latin, Classical Greek, and Ancient History examinations at both GCSE and A level (OCR), consistently achieving excellent results. Last year, the A*A rate at A level was 70% in Latin and 80% in Classical Greek. At GCSE, 90% of boys achieved grades 9–7 in Latin and 100% achieved grades 9–7 in Classical Greek. Similarly strong results are achieved in Ancient History at both GCSE and A level.

The department makes a significant contribution to the School’s Elective programme, offering an array of courses in recent years on topics such as the Rise of Empires, Alexander the Great, Greek Drama, Biblical Hebrew, and Politics and International Affairs.

The department regularly supports boys in their successful applications to Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities to read Classics. A growing number of boys also pursue Classical subjects when applying to universities in the United States.

Latin is a compulsory subject for all boys in the Shell (Year 9), and a strong cohort of over 20 boys elects to study Classical Greek at this stage. Last year, approximately half of the 160 boys in the Shell chose to continue Latin to GCSE (around 75 boys); there are strong divisions in Classical Greek (16 boys ) and Ancient History (25 boys). At A level, we typically have around 25 boys studying Latin, 10 studying Classical Greek, and 15 studying Ancient History.

An annual Classics trip abroad (to destinations such as Italy, Greece, or Sicily) forms part of a rich programme of co-curricular opportunities for young Classicists. Other highlights include the Ludi Scaenici (Latin and Greek dramatic performances), the Oxenham Latin and Greek Recitation Competition, and a variety of other prize competitions.

Harrow has its own salary scale and many other benefits.

Please visit the School’s website at Vacancies - Harrow School

Or click on the 'Apply on School website' button for more detailed information about the role, and to complete an online application form.

Closing date: 8am, Friday 16 May 2025.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with any past employer and the DBS.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Harrow. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome anyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.