Nursery/primary school teachers work with children between the ages of three and eleven, in state or independent schools.

Nursery teachers work in nursery schools and classes with children aged three to five. They use mainly play activities to help children's:

• social, personal, physical and emotional development
• creativity
• understanding of the world
• language, literacy and numeracy skills.

Primary teachers teach children aged five to twelve. Teachers have responsibility for a class, to which they teach all or most areas. They may also have a specialist subject, and may co-ordinate this throughout the school. 

As well as teaching, teachers spend a lot of time:

• preparing lessons and teaching materials
• marking and assessing work
• putting up displays in the classroom. liaising with other professionals
• speaking to parents and carers (both informally and at parents' evenings)
• attending meetings and in-service training
• organising outings, social activities and sporting events.

They may be assisted by teaching assistants or nursery nurses, especially in nursery and reception (first year primary) classes.

You can find further information about the work of a primary teacher on the Scottish Executive Education Department website (see Further Information).

Hours and Environment

Teachers in state schools in Scotland have a standard 35 hours a week and work 195 days a year. School hours vary between schools but are usually 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. The amount of class contact time has been reduced to 22.5 hours a week. Time outside class is spent:

• preparing lessons
• marking work and exams
• attending meetings.
  

Skills and Interests

To be a schoolteacher you should:

• be interested in the education and welfare of pupils
• have enthusiasm for the subjects you teach
• be able to build up good relationships with a range of people - pupils, parents and carers, other teachers, classroom assistants, governors and psychologists
• be committed to working with pupils, parents and carers of different backgrounds and different levels of ability
• enjoy working in a team but be able to use your own initiative
• be well organised
• be able to manage classes well and deal with difficult behaviour
• have excellent communication skills in English
• be patient and have a good sense of humour.

Entry

To obtain the Teaching Qualification (Primary Education) you must have successfully completed one of the following types of initial teacher education (ITE):

• a four year Bachelor of Education (Bed) in Primary Education
• (if you already have a degree) a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

For the Bed you will usually need:

• at least three H grades, including a high grade in English;  and
• S grade maths (or equivalent qualifications).

For the  Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) you must have:

• a degree validated by a higher education institution in the United Kingdom or a degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the United Kingdom; and
• H grade English at C or above (or equivalent); and
• S grade maths at credit level (or equivalent).

To be accepted for ITE you will need to show that your educational background (including the content of your degree) provides a good basis for becoming a primary teacher. Course providers will therefore look for evidence that you have studied at least two of the following areas (as well as English and maths):

• science
• social studies
• expressive arts
• religious and moral education
• technology
• modern foreign languages.

Please check with colleges or universities for exact their entry requirements.

Before applying it will be useful if you have experience of working with children (in a paid or voluntary capacity) in the relevant age group.

Please see the Scottish Executive Education Department website for:

• full career and training information
• details of universities offering ITE courses 
• information on eligibility for teaching jobs in Scotland if you have qualified outside Scotland.

Please see Further Information for a link to the website.

You can find details of funding on the Student Awards Agency for Scotland website. Please see Further Information.

Training

As a newly qualified teacher you will be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and must complete an induction year in order to meet the Standard for Full Registration. Details of this are on the General Teaching Council for Scotland website. Please see Further Information. 

You must  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 in the profession you may be able to work towards Chartered Teacher Status. Please see the Scottish Executive Education Department website for details.

Opportunities

Most teaching jobs are in state schools. Many jobs are part-time. The number of nursery teaching opportunities is increasing very quickly. The number of primary school teachers is likely to increase because of the move towards smaller class sizes.

Depending on the size of the school promotion may be possible to principal teacher, deputy head teacher and head teacher.

Some experienced teachers specialise in teaching pupils with special educational needs or in private tuition. Nursery teachers could set up their own nursery or playgroup.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guide only

Salary scales for classroom teachers range from £19,440 to £31,008 a year.
Chartered teachers earn up to £38,868 a year.
Head teacher scales are from £39,207 to £76,527.

Further information

Gyleview House
3 Redheughs Rigg
Edinburgh
EH12 9HH
Tel: 0845 111 1711 Area 2A North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0845 345 4745 Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0870 112 2205 Clerwood House
96 Clermiston Road
Edinburgh
EH12 6UT
Tel: 0131 314 6000