Primary School Teacher

Typical Salary

£25,714 To £41,604

Typical Hours

37 to 40 term time

evenings attending events or appointments

How To Become a Primary School Teacher

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / 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

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

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.

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

Routes into this Career

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.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

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

Day To Day Tasks

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

Working 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.

Volunteering Opportunities

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.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England

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 teacher training events before you apply to get advice about the profession, the different training routes and funding. You can attend events in person and online.

Further information

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

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

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks