Primary school teacher
Primary school teachers are responsible for the educational, social and emotional development of children between the ages of 3 and 11.
Typical Salary
£32,000 – £49,000
per year
Working Hours
37–45
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a primary school teacher, you could:
- prepare teaching materials, set up the classroom and organise displays
- plan and teach lessons and work with small groups of students
- mark work and talk to parents and carers about their children's progress
- manage the work of teaching assistants
- follow safeguarding procedures and work with education psychologists and social workers
- organise trips, after school clubs and sports events
- work and attend meetings and training outside of usual working hours
Skills needed
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- knowledge of English language
- maths knowledge
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Career progression
With experience you could:
- become a special educational needs teacher or move into pastoral care
- become a lead practitioner, supporting and mentoring other teachers and developing best practice
- be a curriculum leader, deputy head or headteacher
- move into private tuition
- teach overseas in an international school