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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)

£23,720 Starter

to

£61,005 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), including English, maths and a science
  • 2 to 3 A levels 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), including maths, English and science
  • a degree

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 and young people, though this is not essential. You can do this through paid work or by volunteering at a school, doing youth work or helping on a holiday scheme.

More information

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

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • planning lessons and preparing teaching materials
  • marking and assessing children's work
  • providing a safe and healthy environment
  • updating records
  • talking to parents and carers about their children's progress
  • working with other professionals like education psychologists and social workers
  • attending meetings and training
  • organising outings, 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 also be a curriculum leader, deputy head and headteacher, or move into private tuition.

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

CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education (Childcare Level 3)

  • Provider: BEXHILL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2019
  • Location: Bexhill on Sea

Health and Social Care - Level 3 Certificate

  • Provider: WKCIC GROUP
  • Start date: 02 September 2019
  • Location: Enfield
Find courses near you

JobsIn the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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