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:
Education

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
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

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.