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Teaching

Teacher

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

Teachers are responsible for educating and inspiring students in primary, secondary, or further education settings. The role involves planning lessons, delivering instruction, assessing pupils' progress, and managing classroom behaviour. Teachers work with a curriculum set by the national government or exam boards, and often specialise in particular subjects or age groups. Beyond academic instruction, teachers also play a vital role in supporting pupils' social and emotional development, liaising with parents and carers, and participating in school activities and events. Working hours typically include term-time weekdays, though additional time is often spent planning, marking, or attending meetings and training sessions.

Teacher

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📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

The average starting salary for a newly qualified teacher in England and Wales is around £30,000 per year as of 2024.

Number of Teachers

There are approximately 468,000 full-time equivalent teachers working in state schools across England.

Job Growth

The Department for Education projects a continued demand for teachers, especially in subjects like maths, science, and computing.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Primary School Teacher

Specialises in teaching young children the foundational subjects in primary schools, often working with pupils aged 4 to 11.

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Secondary School Science Teacher

Focuses on teaching science subjects such as biology, chemistry, or physics to students aged 11 to 16 or 18 in secondary schools.

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Special Educational Needs Teacher

Works with children and young people who have learning difficulties or disabilities, providing tailored support in mainstream or special schools.

Gain Relevant Qualifications

Obtain a Degree

Complete a bachelor’s degree in a subject you are interested in teaching.

Most teaching roles require a degree. For primary teaching, any subject is usually acceptable, but for secondary teaching, it is best to choose a subject you wish to teach. Some universities offer courses with education as part of the degree.

Complete Initial Teacher Training

Undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or equivalent teacher training.

After your degree, complete a teacher training programme such as a PGCE, School Direct, or other routes like Teach First. These courses combine academic learning with practical experience in schools and are essential for qualified teacher status (QTS) in England and Wales.

Gain Classroom Experience

Participate in School Placements

Spend time in classrooms during your training to develop teaching skills.

Teacher training courses include placements in two or more schools. These are essential for building practical skills, classroom management, and understanding the school environment. You will receive guidance and feedback from experienced teachers.

Seek Additional Experience

Volunteer or work as a teaching assistant to further develop your skills.

Gaining extra experience in schools, such as volunteering or working as a teaching assistant, can enhance your CV and provide more insight into the profession. It is also beneficial for building confidence and understanding the needs of students.

Secure a Teaching Position

Apply for Teaching Jobs

Search and apply for teaching posts at primary or secondary schools.

Look for advertised teaching vacancies on school websites and national job boards such as TES or the Department for Education’s Teaching Vacancies service. Tailor your application and prepare for interviews by demonstrating your commitment and relevant skills.

Complete Your Early Career Teacher (ECT) Induction

Undertake the statutory induction period for new teachers in England and Wales.

Once you have secured a teaching position, you will complete a two-year induction period as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). You will have a reduced timetable and receive additional support and mentoring to help you develop as a professional teacher.

🎯 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

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 teacher is primarily responsible for instructing students, which aligns closely with the role of a primary school teacher who teaches a broad range of subjects to young children. Both positions require general teaching skills, curriculum delivery, and classroom management within early education settings.

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.

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