What Does a Teacher Do?
A teacher is responsible for educating and guiding students throughout their school years. On a typical day, that might mean planning and leading lessons, interacting with pupils on various subjects and issues, and looking out for students’ safety.
Teachers specialise in a specific subject when teaching secondary school or above. If they decide to educate younger children in primary school or below, they’ll usually cover all subjects.
Being a teacher is incredibly rewarding. Your day-to-day work impacts massively on students’ lives, giving them the chance to excel in their studies. It’s a fantastic career choice for those who really enjoy helping others. The best teachers will also have patience and a great sense of humour.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Teacher?
To teach in state schools, you’ll need an undergraduate degree-level qualification. Unless your undergraduate degree is in Education, you’ll then need additional training to gain qualified teacher status (QTS). The usual way to do this is by studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
To get into university, you’ll need at least five GCSEs. These should include Maths and English, at grades 4-9 (formerly grade C or above). If you want to become a primary school teacher, you’ll also need a GCSE (grade 4-9) in Science. You’ll then require two or three A-Levels related to your subject.
Some schools take on apprentices or teaching assistants without QTS. Non-state schools, such as academies and private schools, can also hire teachers without QTS – although it is still a significant advantage to have the certification.
What Are the Qualities of a Good Teacher?
Teachers need a combination of hard and soft skills to thrive in the role. Strong subject knowledge is a fundamental requirement, while primary school teachers need a good grasp of the basics of all subjects.
Soft skills are where good teachers really shine. They spend their days working with young people with unique personalities and needs. Therefore, teachers must have excellent people skills. You’ll need to be confident helping a wide range of students while promoting a positive atmosphere.
Teachers also have to be confident leading lessons. You should be comfortable talking to groups of students and making lessons engaging. An ability to work under pressure certainly helps, especially as you work your way up the teaching hierarchy.
While these skills make a good teacher, a great teacher will have a few extras. They’ll approach their work with patience and a good sense of humour. Teachers who can connect with their pupils truly make a difference.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Teacher?
Impacting students’ lives is a huge perk of the job. Everybody remembers their favourite teachers and how they inspired them to make the most of their education. The chance to guide young people makes teaching such a hugely rewarding career.
Teaching also guarantees that no two days will be the same. You’ll have the chance to plan engaging lessons and modules, working with new students every year. Getting into teaching certainly means that you will never find work boring.
How much does a How Much Does a Teacher Earn?
Education also provides a stable career with excellent salary and pension schemes. Newly qualified teachers earn between £25,000 - £32,000 per year depending on location, increasing to above £50,000 per year for some department heads. Qualified teachers are also constantly in demand, especially in certain subjects, and can find work worldwide.
Finally, the holiday allowance for teachers is superb – around 10 - 13 weeks per year in England and Wales. This means teachers often work about 25 days less per year than average office workers.
How much does a Teacher earn?
£100,000
experienced
£50,000
established
£25,000
beginner/apprentice
What Are the Career Opportunities for a Teacher?
There are a range of career advancement opportunities in education. Newly qualified teachers often divide their first few years between the classroom and training sessions. Afterwards, they’ll move into full-time teaching and take on extra responsibilities around their school.
The next step on the ladder is usually a more senior role with the scope to become the head of a department. Some teachers might also have ambitions of becoming a headteacher. It isn’t for everyone - there is less teaching and more management involved. However, headteachers receive exceptional financial rewards, sometimes more than £100,000 per year.
Finally, teaching offers a route into several other roles. You might specialise in working with special needs students, for example. Alternatively, you could decide to become a private tutor or even a school inspector. If you love to travel, you could specialise in teaching English as a foreign language while seeing the world. The possibilities in teaching are endless.
Start Your Career in Teaching With Courses From Oxbridge
A career in teaching is varied, exciting, and incredibly rewarding. If you love working with young people and want to make a difference, begin your journey into teaching with Oxbridge. Contact us today to get started.