Creating Career Path...

Finding Further Careers...

Teaching

Teacher

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

Teachers work in schools to help children and young people learn about a wide range of subjects, such as English, Maths, Science, and more. They plan lessons, mark work, and support students with their learning and development. Teachers also help with organising activities, trips, and sometimes even after-school clubs. It is a job that requires patience, creativity, and a passion for helping others. Teachers can work with different age groups, from early years (nursery and reception) to secondary school (up to age 18). The role can be very rewarding, as teachers make a big difference in the lives of their students.

Teacher

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

The average starting salary for a qualified teacher in England is approximately £30,000 per year, with higher rates in London.

Number of Teachers

There are over 500,000 teachers working in state-funded schools across the UK.

Holiday Time

Teachers in the UK typically get around 13 weeks of holiday per year, including summer, Christmas, and Easter breaks.

🚀 Careers in this path

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Primary School Teacher

Teaches a range of subjects to children aged 4 to 11 in primary schools.

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Secondary School Maths Teacher

Specialises in teaching maths to students aged 11 to 16 or 18 in secondary schools.

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Special Educational Needs Teacher

Works with children who need extra help because of learning difficulties or disabilities.

Explore Teaching

Find Out About Teaching

Research what teachers do and what a typical day looks like.

You can start by talking to your teachers at school, asking them about their job, and looking online for information about teaching careers. Many websites and organisations have videos or articles about a day in the life of a teacher.

Try Volunteering

Gain experience by helping out with younger students or after-school clubs.

Ask your school if you can help with reading sessions, sports clubs, or mentoring programmes. This will help you see if you enjoy working with children or young people, and develop useful skills.

Gain Qualifications

Complete Secondary Education

Study for your GCSEs and aim to get good grades, especially in English, maths, and science.

Most teaching routes require at least grade 4 or above in English and maths GCSEs. Science is also required if you want to teach primary school.

Choose Post-16 Subjects

Select A levels or equivalent qualifications that relate to the subject or age group you want to teach.

For secondary teaching, you will need a strong background in the subject you want to teach, such as maths, science, or English. For primary teaching, a broad range of subjects is helpful.

Go to University

Apply for a degree. You can study a subject you want to teach, or do a degree in education.

You will usually need a degree before starting teacher training. Some people study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or a BA/BSc with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Others take a degree in their chosen subject, then complete teacher training afterwards.

Train to Become a Teacher

Apply for Teacher Training

Choose a training route such as a university-based PGCE or a school-based training programme.

You can apply for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at university, or a school-based route like School Direct or Teach First. Each route includes classroom experience and study on how to teach.

Gain Classroom Experience

Spend time teaching in schools as part of your training course.

During your training, you will teach real classes with support from experienced teachers. This helps you build confidence and develop your teaching skills.

Achieve Qualified Teacher Status

Complete your training and meet the standards to become a qualified teacher.

Once you finish your course and pass the required assessments, you will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which allows you to teach in most UK schools.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Teacher. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

A 'Teacher' most closely matches the role of a Primary school teacher as both involve delivering education to young children across a range of subjects. They typically require similar foundational teaching qualifications and focus on early childhood development and learning.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

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

University

Undergraduate degree

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

Postgraduate certificate

If you already have a bachelor's degree without qualified teacher status, you can complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). This can be done at university or through a training programme based in a school.

More teacher training options

There are more training options if you want to change to a career in teaching 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 apply to do a Teacher Level 6 Apprenticeship, if you have a degree and want to teach children from ages 3 to 7 or 5 to 11.

This apprenticeship takes a minimum of one year to complete and leads to qualified teacher status.

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
  • experience in related work 

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

You'll find it helpful to get some experience of working with children in different age ranges, though this is not essential.

You could volunteer at a school, help at an after school club or work 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 a Get Into Teaching event before you apply to get advice about teaching, funding and the different training routes available. You can attend events in person and online.

Further information

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

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

Interested in More Career Paths?

Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.

Browse All Careers Generate New Career Path

Stay connected

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases

Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK

Phone
01603 273515

Email
[email protected]

Developing Experts

LessonsAboutResearchReportingPlans & Pricing

Legal

GDPRPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie Policy

Contact Us

Get in touchRequest SubscriptionChildren's CodeAbout UsCareers

Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.