Primary school teacherJessie + Afiya

Primary teachers

Work with children between the ages of 3 and 11, and teach all of the subjects in the national curriculum

Primary school teachers are expected to demonstrate a sound, basic knowledge of all the subjects in the curriculum for key stages 1 and 2. A degree is required, though not in a specialised subject. Some training providers offer primary training with a subject specialism, such as PE or mathematics; entry criteria for these may stipulate certain degree subjects or other relevant professional experience.  

National curriculum subjects for key stages 1 and 2

Job Description

Primary school teachers develop schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. They facilitate learning by establishing a relationship with pupils and by their organisation of learning resources and the classroom learning environment.

Primary school teachers develop and foster the appropriate skills and social abilities to enable the optimum development of children, according to age, ability and aptitude. They assess and record progress and prepare pupils for examinations. They link pupils' knowledge to earlier learning and develop ways to encourage it further, and challenge and inspire pupils to help them deepen their knowledge and understanding.

Salary and conditions

New entrants to the profession in England, Wales and Northern Ireland start on the main salary scale, which rises incrementally from £21,588 to £31,552. Enhanced pay scales apply for teachers working in or near London. In Scotland, the new entrants' starting salary is £21,438, rising incrementally to £34,200. Details are available from the teaching unions and the Teaching Agency.

After gaining experience and expertise, teachers can apply to 'pass the threshold' and go onto an upper scale, which rises incrementally to £36,756. Particularly skilled classroom teachers in England and Wales may go on to become advanced skills teachers (ASTs) or excellent teachers (ETs). Other teachers may move into management positions. These roles attract considerable salary increases: ASTs earn £37,461-£56,950; ETs earn £39,697-£52,090.

Academies and free schools set their own pay and working conditions. In some, this may be very similar to local authority schools, while in others it may vary considerably. 

Experienced classroom teachers undertaking additional responsibility may receive teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments.

Most teachers work long hours during term time, often over 50 hours a week. They are often in school before the school day starts and stay after the pupils have gone home. Marking and preparation are usually done at home. Teachers have up to 13 weeks' holiday per year, but most do work on marking, planning and preparation during this time. Parents' evenings, school concerts, clubs, after-school activities and preparation for school inspections all take up extra hours.

Primary teachers are usually based in their own classrooms, although they may teach elsewhere in school to cover for staff shortages or because of their specialist subject area. Resources vary between schools.

Teaching posts are available in all areas, although there are more jobs in towns and cities than in rural areas. Certain areas of work, such as nursery or special needs, are only available in some schools.

Part-time and temporary work is freely available. Career breaks are possible, after which, support and refresher courses are available. A very high proportion of primary school teachers are women and increasing numbers of women now hold senior posts. The Teaching Agency is encouraging more men, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities into teaching.

There may be occasional trips with pupils, or staff development opportunities, which involve staying away from home and/or overseas travel.

Typical work activities

Primary schools in England and Wales are usually divided into: Foundation Stage (ages 3-5, nursery and reception); Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7, years 1 and 2); Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11, years 3-6). Lower primary usually refers to the Foundation Stage and Key

Stage 1 and upper primary is Key Stage 2. In England there is sometimes a middle tier, so that children go to a primary school up until the age of 8 or 9, transfer to a middle school until the age of 12 or 13 and then move to a secondary school. In Scotland, primary school classes are organised by age from Primary 1 (ages 4-5) to Primary 7 (ages 11-12).

Tasks  teaching all areas of the primary curriculum;

taking responsibility for the progress of a class of primary-age pupils;organising the classroom and learning resources and creating displays to encourage a positive learning environment;planning, preparing and presenting lessons that cater for the needs of the whole ability range within their class; motivating pupils with enthusiastic, imaginative presentation;maintaining discipline;preparing and marking work to facilitate positive pupil development;meeting requirements for the assessment and recording of pupils' development;providing feedback to parents and carers on a pupil's progress at parents' evenings and other meetings;coordinating activities and resources within a specific area of the curriculum, and supporting colleagues in the delivery of this specialist area;working with others to plan and coordinate work;keeping up to date with changes and developments in the structure of the curriculum;organising and taking part in school events, outings and activities which may take place at weekends or in the evening;liaising with colleagues and working flexibly, particularly in smaller schools;working with parents and school governors (in England, Northern Ireland and Wales) or School Boards (in Scotland) to maximise their involvement in the school and the development of resources for the school;meeting with other professionals such as education welfare officers and educational psychologists, if required.

Career development

Career progression may be through a specialist curriculum or pastoral role, or by moving into management. Geographical mobility can improve prospects. Teachers may become coordinators of their specialist subject or a cross-curricular area, such as special needs.

Classroom expertise is recognised by the status of advanced skills teacher (AST) and the Excellent Teacher Scheme (ETS) in England and Wales. ASTs share their knowledge and expertise with colleagues in other schools in the local authority.

Excellent teachers (ETs) are experienced teachers who are appointed to raise the quality of teaching within a school by helping other teachers to improve their skills and knowledge and supporting other staff. They also have a responsibility for improving pupil attainment across the school.

Training

Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) throughout the UK must serve an induction or probationary period, normally of one year. They are monitored and supported, have a reduced timetable and a designated induction tutor and work on areas identified for development during their initial teacher training (ITT).

In-service training is available and teachers are encouraged to pursue continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to their own responsibilities and the development needs of the school. Training takes place in-house on teacher training days or at regional training centres run by local authorities.

Topics often covered in training include: 

curriculum issues; target setting and assessment; special needs; subject leadership; pastoral care; new initiatives; technology. Some teachers study on a part-time basis for higher qualifications

related to their specialist subject or they take a Masters degree in education or business administration (MBA), depending on their career aims. Professional qualifications for school managers are also available.

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Entry requirements

Unless your first degree is a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or a BA/BSc with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), it is essential to gain QTS (or, in Scotland, a teaching qualification (TQ)) in order to teach in the maintained/local authority sector. Independent schools are permitted to employ teachers without QTS/TQ, but in practice this is uncommon.

To be Continued…

QTS/TQ may be gained through one of the following

routes: a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or in Scotland a Professional

Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) - available at many universities and colleges of higher education;

Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) (England and Wales only) - an employment-based scheme for which you usually need considerable professional or classroom experience. The GTP will close for 2013 recruitment and will be replaced by School Direct;

School Direct   (England and Wales only) - a new school-based training route with the expectation that participants will go on to work in the school, or partnership of schools, in which they trained. In most, but not all cases, a PGCE accredited by a higher education institution (HEI) will be awarded;

School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) programme (England and Wales only) - offered by consortia of schools;

Teach First   (England only) - a two-year programme including a PGCE where top graduates are placed in challenging schools. On completing the programme, you have the option to remain in teaching or pursue other careers.

Most course providers require a good honours degree for PGCE/PGDE entry. Primary teacher training is open to graduates in all subjects, but a degree in a curriculum subject area, e.g. English, science, or mathematics, increases your chances. Some disciplines, e.g. sociology, media studies and psychology, are scrutinised for relevance to the curriculum and your pre-university education may be taken into account.

Most applications for PGCE/PGDE courses are made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)

in the autumn before you wish to commence training. In Northern Ireland, you should apply directly to the course providers. Competition for places is high and early application is advised.

The Assessment Only (AO) route leading to QTS is possible for candidates who have a degree alongside a substantial amount of teaching experience in the UK, but do not have QTS. This involves submitting a portfolio of evidence of your work and a day-long assessment where you are observed whilst teaching at your school.

Classroom experience is essential for entry to all training routes. Arrange to visit schools to observe and talk to teachers. Become familiar with the primary curriculum. Ask if you can help a teacher with non-teaching duties on a regular basis. Try to do this over an extended period, rather than just before you apply for a PGCE/PGDE. A post as a teaching assistant could give you valuable experience.

Visit open days and try to attend taster courses organised through schools and universities. Contact your university careers service or school of education to find out about any local opportunities to gain experience in schools. Get experience of working with children in other ways too, e.g. mentoring, summer play schemes, summer camps, Brownies, Sunday schools, supplementary and mother-tongue schools, etc.

The Primary Experience Programme (PEP) is a scheme launching in autumn 2012 offering male graduates the opportunity to gain ten days' experience in a primary school.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the

following: excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; good organisational and time-management skills; energy, enthusiasm, stamina, patience, dedication and

self-discipline; initiative, leadership and supervisory skills and

teamworking abilities; imagination, creativity and a sense of humour; good judgement and an analytical mind; a satisfactory health record and criminal record check

through the Disclosure and Barring Service

Extra skills, such as music, art, IT, drama, sport, community and

modern languages, can be advantageous.

To teach in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you must be registered with the relevant teaching council: the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) , the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW)  or the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) .

Full details of routes into initial teacher training (ITT), PGCE courses, taster courses, fees and the financial incentives can be found in routes into teaching and applying for teacher training. For training in Wales, see Teacher Training & Education in Wales ; in Scotland, see Teach in Scotland ; and in Northern Ireland, see the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) .

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