Primary School Teacher
Job Description:Primary school teachers are responsible for the educational, social and emotional development of children from age 5 to 11.
Job Category:What you will do:
You could:
- 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
- work and attend meetings outside of usual working hours
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- knowledge of English language
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- 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 (adaptable)
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- excellent verbal communication skills
Entry Requirements:
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 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.
Apprenticeship
You can get into this career through a postgraduate teaching apprenticeship, if you have a degree and want to teach 5 to 11 year olds.
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
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.
You’ll need to pass enhanced background checks too.
Working Hours and Environment:
You could work at a school or at a pupil referral unit.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Career Path & 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.