Reinstate bursary for trainee teachers undertaking a history PGCE!
The Issue
As a parent of someone who is passionate about teaching history, who has always dreamed of inspiring young minds to appreciate and understand our past, who now finds the financial strain of pursuing a career in history education is a demanding burden.
Why is there no bursary for history trainee teachers? In contrast to subjects such as Religious Education (RE) and Geography, where bursaries are available, history trainees are expected to pay tuition fees without having any income support. This leaves aspiring history teachers in a precarious position, making what should be a viable career path seem unattainable.
History teachers often don't just teach history; they double as educators in both RE and Geography, yet the lack of financial incentive to specialize in history seems like a glaring oversight. The demand for quality history education is as pertinent today as ever, with understanding historical contexts being crucial for shaping informed and engaged citizens.
Statistics from the Department for Education highlight that having well-trained teachers impacts student outcomes significantly. When faced with the lack of financial support, many capable and passionate individuals are deterred from entering the teaching profession, ultimately affecting the richness of education that students receive.
Implementing a bursary for history teaching trainees would not only aid in alleviating the financial burden on trainees but also attract a wealth of talent to the profession, ensuring that schools are equipped with the best educators. Other subjects recognized the importance of supporting trainees financially; it’s time history was afforded the same respect and resources.
I am calling upon the Department for Education to recognize the value of history education and the pressing need for support in training the next generation of history educators. By reinstating bursaries for history teacher training, we can enrich our educational framework and empower those committed to teaching this vital subject.
Please sign this petition to urge the government to provide bursaries for history teacher trainees and to invest in the future of education.
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The Issue
As a parent of someone who is passionate about teaching history, who has always dreamed of inspiring young minds to appreciate and understand our past, who now finds the financial strain of pursuing a career in history education is a demanding burden.
Why is there no bursary for history trainee teachers? In contrast to subjects such as Religious Education (RE) and Geography, where bursaries are available, history trainees are expected to pay tuition fees without having any income support. This leaves aspiring history teachers in a precarious position, making what should be a viable career path seem unattainable.
History teachers often don't just teach history; they double as educators in both RE and Geography, yet the lack of financial incentive to specialize in history seems like a glaring oversight. The demand for quality history education is as pertinent today as ever, with understanding historical contexts being crucial for shaping informed and engaged citizens.
Statistics from the Department for Education highlight that having well-trained teachers impacts student outcomes significantly. When faced with the lack of financial support, many capable and passionate individuals are deterred from entering the teaching profession, ultimately affecting the richness of education that students receive.
Implementing a bursary for history teaching trainees would not only aid in alleviating the financial burden on trainees but also attract a wealth of talent to the profession, ensuring that schools are equipped with the best educators. Other subjects recognized the importance of supporting trainees financially; it’s time history was afforded the same respect and resources.
I am calling upon the Department for Education to recognize the value of history education and the pressing need for support in training the next generation of history educators. By reinstating bursaries for history teacher training, we can enrich our educational framework and empower those committed to teaching this vital subject.
Please sign this petition to urge the government to provide bursaries for history teacher trainees and to invest in the future of education.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 5 November 2025