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Primary school teacher

Alternative titles for this job include Junior school teacher

Primary school teachers are responsible for the educational, social and emotional development of children from age 5 to 11.

Average salary (a year)

£24,373 Starter

to

£40,490 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 term time

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become a primary school teacher

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do an undergraduate degree that leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), for example:

  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) with QTS
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS

You can also complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), if you have a first degree without QTS. This is a common choice and can be done at university or on a school-based training programme.

There are more training options if you want to change career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career through one of a small number of postgraduate teaching apprenticeships, if you have a degree and want to teach 5 to 11 year olds.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
  • GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
  • a degree for a teaching apprenticeship

More information

Work

You could start as a teaching assistant and do a part-time degree. You could then move onto a postgraduate teaching course to qualify as a teacher.

Volunteering and experience

You'll find it helpful to get some experience of working with children though this is not essential. You can do this through paid work or by volunteering at a school, helping at an after school club or working on a holiday scheme.

More information

Registration

Career tips

You can do a subject knowledge enhancement course to improve your understanding of the subject you want to teach.

You can also attend teacher training events before you apply to get advice about the profession, the different training routes and funding. You can attend events in person and online.

Further information

You can discover more about how to become a teacher from Get Into Teaching.

You can also search for jobs through the Teaching Vacancies service.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of English language
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You will:

  • plan lessons and prepare teaching materials
  • set up the classroom, organise displays and resources
  • teach whole class lessons, work with small groups and do practical activities
  • direct the work of learning support and teaching assistants
  • mark and assess children's work
  • provide a safe and healthy environment and follow safeguarding procedures
  • update records
  • talk to parents and carers about their children's progress
  • work with other professionals like education psychologists and social workers
  • attend meetings and training
  • organise outings, after school clubs, school social activities and sports events

Working environment

You could work at a school or at a pupil referral unit.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

You could teach pupils with special educational needs or move into pastoral care.

With experience, you could become a specialist leader of education, supporting teachers in other schools.

You could be a curriculum leader, deputy head and headteacher, or move into private tuition.

There are also opportunities to teach overseas in international schools.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a primary school teacher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Teacher Education: Certificate in Education (Further Education) Level 5 approved by UCLan

  • Provider: Wigan & Leigh College
  • Start date: 10 September 2020
  • Location: Wigan

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION DIPLOMA: EDUCATION, TEACHING AND CHILDHOOD STUDIES FT

  • Provider: HARLOW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 September 2020
  • Location: Harlow
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