Post Graduate Assistant Teacher of History at Harrow School

Overview

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) of History from September 2026.

Location and Contract

Location: 5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Greater London, HA1 3HP

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Contract Term: Full-Time

Salary and Dates

Salary: £25,323.00 – £30,519.00 Annually (FTE)

Closing Date: 8:00am, 28th Jan 2026

Start Date: 1st September 2026

Positions Available: 1

Role and Responsibilities

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) of History from September 2026.

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 training 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 History and Politics Department comprises nine Masters whose expertise covers a wide range of periods from medieval to twentieth-century history. Several members of the department are actively pursuing their own research and have published academic books and articles. Three have doctorates. History is a popular subject with, typically, three quarters of the year group taking the subject as far as GCSE, about half of whom will continue into the Sixth Form. In the first year (Shells) the subject is compulsory, all pupils following a course entitled ‘Equality, Justice and Liberation through time.’ This course starts with a study of the trans-Atlantic slave trade before investigating what happened in Africa in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Pupils also look at a diverse range of other topics including the history of New Zealand, the Comanche and the fight for universal suffrage in twentieth century Britain. From the second half of the Spring term until the end of the year, pupils focus on World War I. Pupils who opt to continue with History to GCSE then follow the Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE) board IGCSE syllabus (0977BY), which involves a study of International Relations 1919-c.1989 and Germany 1918-1945. In the Sixth Form pupils follow the OCR A level (H505 A) specifications and options are chosen in order to reflect as far as possible the preferences of the pupils, but above all the interests and expertise of their teachers. In 2025-26 pupils are studying a range of medieval, early or late modern options: Alfred the Great and the making of England 871-1016; Charlemagne 768-814; the early Stuarts and the origins of the English Civil War 1603-1660; the French Revolution and the rule of Napoleon 1774-1815; Britain and Ireland 1791-1921; and the ascendancy of the Ottoman Empire 1453-1606. Politics, taught in the Sixth Form, is a very popular subject. The Edexcel specification (9PLO 01/02/03B) is followed, which involves a study of UK Politics and Core Political Ideas, UK Government and Non-Core Political Ideas, and Global Politics.

The Department prides itself on getting the best out of the pupils who choose to study History and Politics, whatever their ability. Although there are no minimum requirements for pupils to be allowed to do IGCSE or A Level, academic results are good: typically 70-80% of A level historians achieve an A* or A grade, and grades below B are rare; around 90% of boy taking Politics achieve an A* to B grade. At IGCSE, more than 30% of candidates usually achieve a Grade 9 and more than 65% achieve either Grade 9 or Grade 8. Many boys are inspired to read the subjects at Oxford, Cambridge, and other top British and world universities.

Additional Notes

Please note that applications will be considered as they are received. The School reserves the right to appoint at any time in the process.

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

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with any past employer and the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Related Documents

• AD – Declaration Previous Conv…pdf
• AD – ICT Acceptable Use Policy…pdf
• AD – Job Applicant Privacy Not…pdf
• AD – Recruitment Selection Dis…pdf
• History PGAT – Sept 2026.pdf

Contact Details

Christine Ryan

020 8872 8003

ryancs@harrowschool.org.uk