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How to become a Secondary School Teacher

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Secondary School Teacher jobs

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Secondary School Teacher

Teaching Assistant

| Up to £20,000

Secondary School Teacher

| Up to £35,000

Lecturer

| Up to £45,000

The role of a Secondary School Teacher

What does a Secondary School Teacher do?

You hate Mondays because you hate your job. You should be a Secondary School Teacher...

As a Secondary School Teacher you will be teaching children aged anywhere between 11 and 18, preparing the next generation for their future education and careers. Most secondary school teachers specialise in one or two subjects, and teach pupils of mixed backgrounds and abilities.

Typical duties of a Secondary School Teacher include:

Preparing lessons and teaching materials
Assessing work handed in
Engaging with other education professionals
Attending meetings and training
Discussing pupil progress with parents and carers
Preparing pupils for exams, such as GCSE's and A-levels

Is a career as a Secondary School Teacher right for me?

To be successful as a Secondary School Teacher, being passionate about the subject or subjects you teach is absolutely essential. The attention span of your pupils may vary (two words: double science), so bringing your enthusiasm through and instilling a similar passion in your pupils can make all the difference.

Demonstrating the ability to manage difficult behaviour will be also be a major advantage.

Other key skills include:

Excellent interpersonal skills
Good organisational and motivational skills
Creativity
Patience
A good sense of humour

What's it like to be a Secondary School Teacher?

"There’s really very little not to like about being a Secondary School Teacher. You get to talk about the subjects you love and pass on that passion to kids. Of course some may not be as eager to learn as others, and working to a strict curriculum can be tricky, but thinking through these challenges is part of the fun. Add to that the satisfaction you get from seeing pupils fulfil, or even exceed their potential, and there really aren't any more rewarding careers."

Get qualified as a Secondary School Teacher

To become a Secondary School Teacher, you will need to start Initial Teacher Training (ITT), either through university-led training (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate award), or through school-led work-based training (i.e. working in a school whilst studying for your PGCE). After ITT, you may gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

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