Primary school teacher

Entry Requirements:

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 career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.

Entry requirements:

• 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

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can do a degree level teaching apprenticeship if you have a degree and want to teach 5 to 11 year olds.

Entry requirements:

• 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

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 could volunteer at a school , help at an after school club or work on a holiday scheme.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• 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
• knowledge of English language
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• maths knowledge
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of geography
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Primary school teachers are responsible for the educational, social and emotional development of children from age 5 to 11.

In this role you could:

• prepare teaching materials, set up the classroom and organise displays
• plan and teach lessons and work with small groups of students
• mark work and talk to parents and carers about their children's progress
• manage the work of teaching assistants
• follow safeguarding procedures and work with education psychologists and social workers
• organise trips, after school clubs and sports events
• work and attend meetings and training outside of usual working hours

Location : You could work at a school or at a pupil referral unit.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £30,000
Experienced : £47,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 45 hours term time

Working Pattern is evenings attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a special educational needs teacher or move into pastoral care
• become a specialist leader of education  and support teachers in other schools
• be a curriculum leader, deputy head or headteacher
• move into private tuition
• teach overseas in an international school