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Helping you find a career in the teaching industry

Teaching requires a workforce that is dedicated to helping others achieve their full potential across a range of subjects and ages. No two days will be the same in teaching, and it's a very rewarding career choice.

Of course, teaching requires a certain kind of person. You need to be creative and patient when helping others with their learning and be sensitive to the different kinds of learning styles. This is applicable no matter what age group you are working with.

A fully-qualified teacher requires teacher training through which you cover two key stages. This will likely determine what age ranges you go on to work with, so it's quite important.

The key stages are:

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) - 0-5 year olds; nursery and reception
Key Stage 1 - 5-7 year olds; Years 1-2
Key Stage 2 - Ages 7-11; Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Key Stage 3 - Ages 14-16; Years 10 and 11

After you have completed teacher training, you will have qualified teacher status (QTS), which means that you can teach any age in a primary or high school. However, most stay within the ranges that they covered in training.

In primary schools (Key Stage 1 and 2) you will be required to teach a range of subjects, whereas for secondary school (Key Stage 3) you usually specialise in one or two subjects.

In order to become a higher education teacher, you'll need a PhD qualification in the field that you wish to study. Most teachers also rely upon a teaching aids in the classroom, either for general assistance with a large class or to provide support for those with extra needs. For this, you do not require a degree but will still play a key role in helping students realise their potential.

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Skills & interests required for a career in Teaching

Teachers need to be creative and organised to plan engaging lessons that cater for the different learning styles that will be present in a classroom. Some people are visual learners, others audial, others kinaesthetic, and the best teachers cater for all. Perhaps it also goes without saying that a passion for the subjects that you are teaching, and education as a whole, will help you to inspire those in your classes.

Teachers and teaching assistants must be calm and able to deliver their best self every school day. Learning environments need to be safe and supportives space that are ultimately created by the staff.

Some teaching assistant staff may also need specialist skills to be able to accommodate those with behavioural and special education needs.

Other skills that will help you as a teacher are:

Teaching apprenticeships & other career progress routes for school leavers

There are numerous different career progression routes for teachers. One option could be taking on extra responsibilities within a school, such as being a head of a year group or department. Eventually this could lead to becoming a deputy head and then a head teacher.

Alternatively, many choose to move into the education sector of the government after teaching for a while. Through this you would be more involved with the delivery of education on a national level and ensuring that standards are maintained, reviewing syllabuses and ensuring that our education system remains competitive with other nations.

As a teaching assistant you can take a slightly different progression route. Teaching assistants are graded from 1-4 and in order to get past level one you will need extra training that can be done alongside your work.

Each qualification has a different number of points, which must be accumulated in order to progress your career. Examples of qualifications that will allow you to take on extra responsibilities in the classroom include:

Level 2 Award in support work in schools
Level 2 Certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools
Level 2 Certificate in supporting the wider curriculum in schools
Level 3 Award in supporting teaching and learning in schools
Level 3 Certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools
Level 3 Certificate in cover supervision of pupils in schools
Level 3 Diploma in specialist support for teaching and learning in schools

Tips for getting into the field

To give you the best chance of getting a job in teaching, obtain as much work experience as possible with the age range that you would most like to work with. Try contacting your local schools and youth clubs.

What do Teaching professionals get paid?

The average salary for a teaching assistant is £12,022, although this will be more if you work within London. With extensive experience this can rise to £23,000.

A nursery assistant can expect to earn around £18,000.

As a qualified teacher your pay will be £23,000-£33,000. This will be slightly higher if you work in London to accommodate the extra living costs.

As a head teacher you could earn £45,000-£110,000.

What qualifications do I need for a career in Teaching?

Unfortunately to be a teacher there is no other route other than to get a degree. Without a degree you could still work with children, but you will be limited to assistant and child care roles.

Teaching assistants are a vital role to the classroom and can make a world of difference for those with special educational needs or disabilities.

There are also numerous roles in nurseries that you can do without a degree, but for a lot of nursery roles you will have to have at least a level two qualification in childcare.

Many decide to work in supporting education roles such as these and then pursue the necessary qualifications to become a fully qualified teacher later down the line.

To get onto an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme you must meet the following criteria:

Have obtained a 2:2 degree or above
GCSE grade C in English and Maths (Primary school teaching also requires you to have a C in a science)
Pass a professional skills test in numeracy and literacy
Pass a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check