George Davis
George is a third-year History BA student. He completed a teaching placement with a local high school.
Where was your placement and what were your tasks?
"I attended a placement at Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology (NUAST), a local high school. I was tasked with giving two sessions on Black British history to a class of year nine pupils. The placement consisted of two weeks of preparation and practice, and two weeks of teaching at NUAST."
How did you find out about your placement? What made you want to do one?
"The placement was optional; I found out via email that the humanities department wanted to run a pilot scheme regarding Black and marginalised history. There were initially unsure on what shape the placement would take, but I was eager to broaden my experiences with tackling sensitive history and engaging young pupils in the challenges of our world."
What was the most enjoyable part of your placement?
"I most enjoyed hearing what the students had to say. The lessons were built on having discussions on their level and engaging them to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions of marginalised histories. The students were excited to have the opportunity to vocalise their thoughts and were amazed by how many stories are out there, but are just pushed to the side."
What transferable skills did you gain?
"The placement was an excellent opportunity to work on my presentation skills. Not only was I presenting historical information, but I also had to find ways to make it accessible and engaging to a younger audience. I was able to use the skills of my degree in a new way.
I had the opportunity to teach the pupils on topics they had never seen and guide them through how a historian would approach certain documents and stories. It was fantastic to show them what university-level history can be like. I definitely think these skills will be vital to any career, but I am especially eager to work with children again!"
Did you learn anything new or unexpected about yourself?
"The placement solidified to me that I had chosen the right degree. Being able to take on the role of a teacher and explore history with a young audience reminded me why I love the subject and how important I believe it is. I was not expecting to enjoy teaching as much as I did – the students were enthusiastic to take part and the discussions they led themselves were extremely respectful and intellectual. It was undoubtedly a worthwhile experience."
Have your future career aspirations changed because of your placement?
"I am definitely considering working as a teacher. The placement showed me just how engaging history can be in schools if you find the right way to present the information. There was so much room for creativity in how I engaged with and pushed the students to figure out answers for themselves. History is a subject with so much debate and exploration involved which is a brilliant opportunity for children and something that I thoroughly enjoyed doing at NUAST.
I am incredibly grateful for having done the placement and I hope that the department can continue to offer other students similar opportunities. Discussing marginalised history is so important in today’s world and a lot of the challenges start with school children. It was amazing to have the opportunity to give the children a voice and show them that there is far more complexity and diversity in the world than many grow up believing."
View our History BA course page