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Secondary School Teacher

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A secondary school teacher in the UK works with students aged 11 to 16, and sometimes up to 18, delivering lessons in a specialist subject such as English, Maths, Science, or History. Teachers plan and deliver lessons, mark work, assess progress, and provide pastoral care. They also help prepare students for GCSEs and A-levels. Secondary teaching can be both challenging and rewarding, as you help young people develop academically and personally. Teachers often participate in extracurricular activities, work with parents and carers, and engage in professional development. The role requires a degree and a postgraduate teaching qualification (such as a PGCE or through a school-based route like School Direct).

Secondary School Teacher

📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

The starting salary for a secondary school teacher in England is around £30,000 per year, rising to £36,745 in inner London.

Experienced Salary Range

With experience, secondary school teachers can earn between £41,333 and £50,530, with higher rates for leadership roles.

Number of Secondary Teachers

There were approximately 208,000 full-time equivalent secondary school teachers in England in 2023.

🚀 Careers in this path

Gain the Right Qualifications

Obtain GCSEs and A Levels

Achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 4 to 9 including English and Maths, and study A Levels relevant to the subject you wish to teach.

Most universities require at least grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths for teacher training courses. Choose A Level subjects that are relevant to your intended teaching subject, as this will help you progress to a related degree at university.

Earn a University Degree

Complete an undergraduate degree, ideally in the subject you wish to teach, such as a BA or BSc.

You can pursue a degree in your chosen subject (for example, English, Mathematics, or Science). Alternatively, you could complete a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree, which combines subject study with teacher training. If your degree is not in the subject you want to teach, you may need to complete a subject knowledge enhancement course.

Complete Teacher Training

Undertake Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Apply for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a school-based teacher training programme such as School Direct.

Teacher training programmes typically last one year full-time and combine academic study with placements in schools. During your training, you will learn about teaching methods, classroom management, and curriculum planning while gaining hands-on teaching experience.

Achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Successfully complete your teacher training to be awarded QTS, which is required to teach in most state schools in England and Wales.

QTS demonstrates that you have met the professional standards required for teaching. You will be assessed on your teaching practice and your ability to manage a classroom and support pupils' learning. Some independent schools may not require QTS, but it is highly recommended.

Begin Your Teaching Career

Complete Your Induction Year

Start your first teaching post as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and complete a one-year induction period.

During your induction year, you will receive support and mentoring from experienced teachers and be assessed on your progress. Successfully passing your induction year is essential for your ongoing teaching career in state schools.

Continue Professional Development

Engage in ongoing professional development to progress your career, such as attending training courses and workshops.

As a teacher, you are encouraged to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. This might include taking on additional responsibilities, specialising in areas like special educational needs (SEN), or pursuing leadership roles such as Head of Department or Headteacher in the future.

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A secondary school teacher and a further education teacher both typically require similar teaching qualifications and focus on education beyond the compulsory years, often specialising in specific subjects. They both work with students aged approximately 16 and above, delivering specialised lessons in a classroom setting.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You could do a further education (FE) teaching qualification, although this is not essential.

Qualifications you could do include:

  • Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training

To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

College

You could do a teaching qualification at college.

Qualifications include:

  • Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners

Employers will also expect you to have experience or a qualification in the subject you want to teach.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You'll usually need:

  • a qualification in the subject you want to teach
  • up to date experience in your industry
  • ability in English, maths and IT

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Work

You could apply directly to work as a further education teacher if you have knowledge of your subject and experience in your industry. Some employers may want you to have a level 3 qualification in your industry.

You can then do a teaching qualification on the job. Some employers might help fund your training.

You'll also need level 2 maths and English skills. If you do not have these qualifications, the training provider might support you with this as part of your training.

Volunteering

It will be useful to get experience through paid work or volunteering at a school or college.

You can get help with finding:

Direct Application

You can apply directly to work in further education if you have relevant experience, knowledge and skills in a technical or academic subject.

You can also apply directly to teach some subjects in further education if you have taught in a school and hold qualified teacher status (QTS).

More Information

Career tips

You might be able to become a further education teacher without a teaching qualification. Your employer might choose what teaching qualification you'll need once you've started.

You can also get qualified teacher learning and skills status while you work if you have a level 5 teaching qualification or above.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a further education teacher from Teach in Further Education.

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