Training to teach GCSE Natural History - help please

[Xiddling]

Hi,
I'm a biologist with experience as an Education Officer in zoos and am really interested in the new Natural History GCSE planned for 2022. I've no idea where to begin but I'm interested in teaching this subject. Where would I begin? I imagine I'd need to enrol in a PGCE next year (the content for the GCSE has not been finalised yet). Would I be able to focus on just this subject? Do some teachers just teach the one subject or would I be expected to also do Biology for all ages for example. I'm also 44 so wondering if I'm a bit old to be embarking on this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've also posted on the Careers page. Thanks.

[Knittedfairies]

I don't want to rain on your parade, but I suspect you would be seen as a biology teacher first and foremost, and a general science teacher for younger pupils. It depends how many schools offer the new GCSE, but I'd be very surprised if that was the only thing you were required to teach.

[Xiddling]

Thanks @Knittedfairies, this is the kind of info I'm after as this is all new to me.

[Maryberrysbomberjacket]

It would be very unlikely that you would just teach Biology, much more likely to tea h all 3 sciences and beyond. In my near 2 decades I've taught textiles, health, French and maths (GCSE!). As for the GCSE in natural history, unless it counts in performance measures like a separate science the chances of finding it being taught are tiny. The chances of a PGCE in natural history are even smaller than that; for all the GCSEs we deliver, including astronomy and human biology, just science teacher delivers it. Subject specialist if you are lucky, but realistically whoever has the timetable space.

[Xiddling]

Thanks @Maryberrysbomberjacket, that's helpful. All food for thought.

[NeurotrashWarrior]

Wow, ds would love that gcse! As I would have too!

I imagine you will be needed to teach most areas of science and that will be your best approach.

[Xiddling]

@NeurotrashWarrior, yes - my middle daughter will be choosing her options around then so I hope she gets the chance to do it.

[Kashtan]

Agree with other posters, you need to do a science PGCE with a biology specialism, expect to teach all three sciences at least until y9, possibly to GCSE, and then hope you can either find a school running this new course, or get established in a school and puch fir them to offer it.

[Xiddling]

Thanks everyone. I'll give it some further thought.