Emma Noble

Looking for a new challenge after teaching history for over 20 years, studying a Classics module with The Open University (OU) in Scotland helped Emma Noble move into teaching it as a subject.

Emma’s interest in Classical Studies – the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature and culture – began with plays and books. 

She explains: “My husband played a role in a modern-day version of the Greek tragedy play Medea, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2022. The story, staging and use of the chorus were something I had never experienced before, and I was absolutely spellbound.

“For Christmas, I was given the book ‘Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths’ by Natalie Haynes and I’ve been hooked on learning about the Classics ever since.”

After teaching history for over 20 years, Emma, aged 48 and Head of Social Subjects at St. Ambrose High School in Coatbridge, Glasgow, studied the OU’s module on Exploring the Classical World. The module contributed to most of the credits she needed to register with the General Teaching Council for Scotland to teach the subject.

She was fully funded by the charity Classics for All, which supports state schools across the UK to introduce or develop the teaching of Classical Studies. The OU also offers a part-time fee grant and top-up funding, which cover the cost of module fees for individuals with a personal income of £25k or less.

Emma says: “Classics for All’s co-ordinator for Scotland has been a fantastic point of contact in terms of resources and networking within the Classics teaching community.”

Emma also continues to receive support from “a fantastic community of teachers across Scotland who are incredibly generous with their time and resources”.

This has included help from OU in Scotland Classics graduate George Connor, who launched the first Classical Studies textbook for Scottish schools in 30 years. Emma comments: “He is a fantastic source on all things Classics, and I bought a class set of his textbooks, which we are using regularly!”

‘Rich, interdisciplinary subject’ 

The Open University resources were excellent and I can refer to them for many of the curricular requirements.”

Emma shares that Classics is now embedded within her department, including as part of S1 and S2 courses taken by all pupils.  

One of her colleagues is interested in studying the same OU Classics module to grow the subject within their department.

She shares: “We have a lunchtime Classics and Latin Club, where we have created a huge Medusa mosaic in collaboration with the Art department, made Roman coin designs using Oreo biscuits and designed our own card game around the Greek household.

“Classics is such a rich, interdisciplinary subject that it offers a huge amount of flexibility and opportunities for active learning. 

“Watching my National 5 Classics class put Odysseus on trial this year with pupils collaborating on arguments for the defence and prosecution cases has been a particular highlight.”

Discussing the importance of expanding opportunities to study Classical Studies in state schools, Emma comments: “Classics underpins an understanding of so much about society.

“The content we teach means I can refer to art, literature, linguistics, film and popular culture. In almost every lesson we can talk about the root of English words, which will help improve literacy across the curriculum.”

‘Complete career refresh’

While balancing her studies with teaching, Emma says: “Flexibility to study was vital. 

I loved that I was studying something I was passionate about in a time and place that suited me. It didn’t feel like work at all!”

“Having access to all the resources in advance meant I was able to work ahead of the course at busier times of the year, such as prelim marking and reports. 

“The assessments were well spaced out and thoroughly explained, so I felt fully prepared for all the deadlines.”

She found that many of the course’s aspects were directly relevant to the content covered in the Classical Studies qualification at National 5 and Higher level, adding: “I loved that I was studying something I was passionate about in a time and place that suited me. It didn’t feel like work at all!”

Emma observes: “The resources I received from the OU were excellent and I can refer to them for many of the curricular requirements in Classical Studies. 

“There is also a lovely sense of community which develops as you meet people who share your interest in your tutor group and the online forums.”

She adds: “This is the most personally rewarding thing I have done in my career-long professional learning – it has been a complete career refresh. 

“I would love to come back to the OU at some point. There is an OU module on Greek Mythology which looks fantastic!”