Secondary school teachers work in state and independent schools, teaching children aged from 11 to 16, or up to 19 in schools with sixth forms.

Secondary teachers usually:

• specialise in one or two subjects and teach these to classes of different ages and abilities throughout the school
• prepare students for exams, including Standard Grades (S grades), Highers (H grades), SQA national certificate modules, GSVQs, and the Higher Still programme.

As well as actual 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.
  

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 is gradually being reduced to 22.5 hours a week. Time outside class is spent preparing lessons, marking work and exams, and attending meetings.

Teachers spend most of their time indoors in classrooms, but also work in halls, gyms, laboratories or music rooms. Some of their time is spent outdoors, when supervising sports and games.

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 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 qualify as a secondary teacher you need to get the Teaching Qualification (Secondary Education). This is awarded in a particular subject or subjects of the secondary school curriculum. You can do this by successfully 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 school experience; or
• (if you already have a degree related to the subject you wish to teach) a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). You can study some secondary 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 wish to undertake 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 it is useful to have experience of working with children (in a paid or voluntary capacity) in the relevant age group.

For entry to the Bed course you will usually need:

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

For a combined/concurrent degree you must have:

• the entry requirements asked for by the higher education institution you are applying to
• H grade English (or an equivalent) when you start the teacher education part of the course.

For the one year 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).

Please check with universities for exact entry requirements.

For some courses, such as physical education and music, you will need to show that you are competent in the relevant practical skills. The university may set practical tests to show this.

Please see the Scottish Executive Education Department website for:

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

There is a link to the website in Further Information. 

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 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 will be required to agree an annual continuing professional development (CPD) plan with your immediate manager and to 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 secondary teachers in Scotland work in state schools, although some teach in independent schools. They vary from large city comprehensives with around 1,000 students to small single teacher schools in remote areas.

It is possible to progress to become a principal teacher or chartered teacher. Promotion is then to deputy headteacher and headteacher.

Some experienced teachers specialise in teaching pupils with special educational needs or in private tuition.

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