Teacher

Introduction

Teachers work with people of almost any age: children from the age of three upwards, or adults. They may teach mixed ability or similar ability groups. Some teachers teach one specialist subject such as Art and Design or Physical Education. Some work as specialist Learning Support Teachers. The work includes preparing lessons, marking work, writing reports and attending parents' evenings.

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Work Activities

Teachers usually work with people within a particular age group such as three to five year olds, five to eight year olds, twelve to eighteen year olds or adults. They may teach mixed ability groups, similar ability groups or sometimes both. Mixed ability groups require a variety of teaching methods enabling students to develop at different speeds.

Primary teachers usually teach a range of subjects to one class. Secondary teachers often specialise in teaching one subject such as Art and Design, or History, to a number of classes. However, many secondary teachers teach two or more related subjects, such as English and Drama.

Teaching methods may include small group work, projects, learning through experience, and the use of audio-visual materials and computers, as well as more traditional teaching sessions with the whole class. The use of different methods helps to stimulate interest and learning, and enables students to develop a variety of skills.

Teachers also have to prepare lessons, set and mark written work, write reports, and attend staff meetings and parents' evenings.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a teacher, you need to be able to communicate effectively so you can establish a good working relationship with your students. However, not all students will respond positively so you need to be patient and tactful, and discipline may be needed to maintain order.

You also need to be well organised, enthusiastic and self-disciplined. You must be able to motivate yourself and others. Lessons will require detailed planning and preparation.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay scale for classroom teachers in Scotland starts at £19,878 a year, rising to £31,707. There is an additional allowance if you teach in a remote area.

If you become a chartered teacher you can earn up to £38,868 a year.

A head teacher can earn from £39,207 upwards, depending on the size of school.

In the private sector, salaries are similar or higher, though they are sometimes linked to state sector pay scales.

Teachers in Scotland normally work a 35 hour week, with a maximum of 22.5 hours actually teaching. This gives some time for preparation work in school. However, most teachers do work extra hours: marking work, preparing lessons and so on.

There are opportunities to teach throughout the UK in both the state and private education sectors. You may also be able to teach overseas.

Vacancies are advertised in local authority vacancy sheets and in the local and national press: The Scotsman, The Herald, The Guardian, and The Times Educational Supplement Scotland and The Teacher.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant work experience is frequently expected, either within a school as a volunteer teaching assistant or equivalent work with children or young people.

There are a number of training options.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Teaching) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

They can lead to relevant degree courses.

• 14% of secondary teachers work part-time.
• Less than 1% have flexible hours.
• 5% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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