Secondary School Teacher (Scotland)
What is the work like?
Secondary school teachers in Scotland work in state and independent schools, teaching children aged from 11 to 16, or up to 19 in schools with sixth forms.
As a secondary teacher you would usually:
- specialise in one or two subjects and teach these to classes of different ages and abilities throughout the school
- prepare students for exams, such as Standard Grades (S grades), Highers (H grades).
As well as class teaching, you would spend a lot of time:
- preparing lessons and teaching materials
- marking and assessing work
- putting up displays in the classroom
- liaising with other professionals such as educational psychologists
- speaking to parents and carers (both informally and at parents' evenings)
- attending meetings and in-service training
- organising outings, social activities and sporting events.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To qualify as a secondary teacher you need the Teaching Qualification (Secondary Education) in a particular subject (or subjects) of the secondary school curriculum. You can do this by completing one of the following types of initial teacher education (ITE):
- a four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) in music, physical education or technological education, or
- a combined/concurrent degree (lasting up to four and a half years) which includes studying a subject, studying education, and gaining school experience, or
- a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (if you already have a degree related to the subject you wish to teach).
You can study some secondary Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) courses part-time or by distance learning.
If you enrol on a combined/concurrent degree you do not need to decide until towards the end of the second year whether you want to complete a secondary teaching qualification. If you decide you do not want to teach, you can still carry on to complete a degree in the subject you have studied.
Before applying, you may find it useful to have experience of working with children (in a paid or voluntary capacity) in the relevant age group.
Entry requirements for BEd and combined/concurrent degree courses vary, so you should check with individual universities.
For the PGDE you will usually need:
- a degree, and
- H grade award in English at grade C or above (or equivalent), and
- S grade maths at grade 1 or 2 (or equivalent).
Visit the Scottish Executive Education Department website for:
- full career and training information
- details of universities offering training
- information on eligibility for teaching jobs if you have qualified outside Scotland.
See the Student Awards Agency for Scotland website for details of funding your training.
What further training and development can I do?
As a newly qualified teacher, you will be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland, and must complete an induction year to meet the Standard for Full Registration. Visit the General Teaching Council for Scotland website for details.
You will need to agree an annual continuing professional development (CPD) plan with your immediate manager, and keep a record of your CPD activities.
When you have completed the Standard for Full Registration and become established as a teacher, you may be able to work towards Chartered Teacher Status. See the Scottish Executive Education Department website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
21 Melville StreetEdinburgh
EH3 7PE
Tel: 0131 220 2106
3 Redheughs Rigg
Edinburgh
EH12 9HH
Tel: 0845 111 1711
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0845 345 4745
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0870 112 2205
96 Clermiston Road
Edinburgh
EH12 6UT
Tel: 0131 314 6000
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
Special Needs Teaching Assistant
Nursery/Primary School Teacher (Scotland)
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Classroom teachers earn from £20,427 to £32,583 a year..
- Chartered teachers earn up to £39,942 a year.
- Head teachers earn from £40,290 to £78,642.
Figures are intended as a guide only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As a teacher in a state school in Scotland you will work a standard 35-hour week, 195 days a year. School hours vary but are usually 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. The amount of class contact time is gradually being reduced to 22.5 hours a week. You will also spend time outside class, preparing lessons, marking work and exams, and attending meetings.
Depending on the subject you teach, you will spend most of your time in classrooms, or in gyms, laboratories or music rooms. As a PE teacher, you would also spend time outdoors, when supervising sports and games.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in the education and welfare of pupils
- enthusiasm for the subjects you teach
- commitment to working with pupils of different backgrounds and levels of ability
- organisational skills
- the ability to manage classes well and deal with difficult behaviour
- excellent communication skills and 'people' skills
- patience and a good sense of humour.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most opportunities in state schools, although you could also work in independent schools.
With experience you may be able to progress to principal teacher or chartered teacher, then to deputy headteacher and headteacher.
You could also choose to specialise in teaching pupils with special educational needs or in private tuition.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Times Educational Supplement
General Teaching Council for Scotland
Learning and Teaching Scotland
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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