what is a secondary teacher?
As a secondary teacher, you impart knowledge on a particular subject to students. Your pupils are mostly teenagers between 11 and 18 years. You support their personal development by building a good learning culture. Your role involves planning lessons, teaching, assessing learning in line with curriculum objectives and recording pupils' progress.
As a secondary teacher, you also play a role in your students' personal and social development. You monitor and observe the pupils' progress or changes in their behaviour to provide or offer appropriate support.
You can teach one or two subjects as a secondary school teacher. You have to be conversant with proven teaching methods for both subjects. You should also be familiar with the content necessary for passing GCSE exams on your subjects. It is essential to stay updated on the developments in your subject area. If the subject has new national objectives, methods and resources, you must be updated on the changes.
The role also involves liaising with parents, carers and professionals formally and informally. You attend meetings with parents and help them support their children through school. You can also participate in extra-curriculum activities in school to improve learning outcomes.
Would working in education as a secondary teacher suit your patience and knowledge in a specific subject? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a secondary teacher role.
average salary of a secondary teacher
According to National Careers, the average salary of a secondary teacher starting out is £25,714 per year. The salary scale is incremental as you improve your experience and skills. Secondary teachers with many years of experience earn over £41,604 annually. Private academic institutions set their salaries based on teachers' experience and qualifications.
Secondary teachers receive various allowances, including medical and transport allowances. Employers also pay contributions to pension schemes and bonuses.
what factors affect the salary of a secondary teacher?
As a secondary teacher, your salary depends on the employer and your experience level. You earn an entry-level salary when you are a newly-qualified teacher (NQT). As you improve your skills and become an experienced secondary teacher, your compensation package increases gradually. Private schools also pay more than public schools due to less limited resources.
Secondary teachers have multiple opportunities to increase their earnings. You can improve your salary prospects by specialising in subjects with a shortage of teachers. Some schools offer higher pay for specialising in maths and sciences (STEM subjects). If you take on additional responsibilities, your earnings also increase. For instance, you often receive a stipend for facilitating school events and sports.
types of secondary teachers
Secondary teachers are classified based on the subjects they teach. Some of them include:
- secondary English teacher: as an English teacher, you enable students to have a good command of spoken and written English. You prepare students for their GCSE exam by teaching them how to read and analyse literature.
- secondary science teacher: as a secondary science teacher, you impart knowledge to pupils of various scientific disciplines. You guide students through experiments in disciplines such as chemistry and biology.
- secondary maths teacher: as a secondary maths teacher, you educate pupils on general and advanced maths topics. Your job involves planning learning activities and recording students' progress.
working as a secondary teacher
Working as a secondary teacher involves imparting knowledge to pupils to prepare them for GCSEs and other specialised exams. You prepare them for their future careers and mentor them. Let's explore the specific tasks and duties of a secondary teacher.
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secondary teacher job description
Some of the duties and responsibilities of a secondary teacher include:
- planning lessons and preparing teaching resources: as a secondary teacher, you plan lessons according to academic objectives. You use the national curriculum to prepare your classes and adapt them to your teaching methods. You also prepare teaching resources like workbooks, presentations and assignment sheets. If the subject is complex, you need to find engaging resources and learning tools.
- attending classes and tutoring students: as a secondary teacher, you attend classes and educate students to ensure they meet the learning objectives. You need to enforce the school guidelines and regulate pupils' behaviours in classes.
- preparing students for exams: your job is to ensure your students are ready for GCSE exams and achieve their learning objectives. Hence, you need to guide them during classes to ensure they are on the right track. You prepare assessments, mark students' work and provide appropriate feedback on their progress.
- updating student records: as a secondary teacher, you need to keep track of pupils' progress in your subject and maintain correct records. You document class attendance and scores in standardised evaluations and assignments. You are obligated to report any changes in a student's behaviour to the appropriate authorities.
- attending staff meetings: as a secondary teacher, you attend staff meetings and participate in teacher training and conferences. Sometimes, meetings involve speaking to parents and updating them on various school activities.
- planning and supporting school events: as a secondary teacher, you support and organise school events like field trips, extracurricular activities and social functions.
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work environment
The work environment of a secondary teacher depends on the school calendar and curriculum. For instance, if you teach multiple classrooms, you work in different rooms instructing pupils at different levels. Subjects like sciences also involve lab work, which means you instruct learners in a laboratory environment.
Your work is predominantly indoors as a secondary teacher, but you can work outdoors during class trips and field projects. You also work outdoors when you organise sports activities.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues as a secondary teacher include cover supervisor, music teachers, private tutors and teaching assistants. You might also be working in close proximity to special educational needs teachers (SEN teachers), KS1 teachers and early years teachers, as well as other specialists that could include headteachers, primary teachers and supply teachers.
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work schedule
During school terms, which are usually 39 weeks a year, you work between 8.30 am and 4 pm. You have to get to school early to prepare lesson plans before the classwork begins. Sometimes, you provide tutoring to students after school hours. You may also work after hours during school functions or activities. Since you only teach one subject, you will have breaks between classes.
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job outlook
As a secondary teacher, you have multiple opportunities for career growth. For instance, you can pursue postgraduate studies to develop your skills and become head of your subject at a school. Some teachers move to administrative duties like headteacher or school director. You can also explore other careers in education, like becoming a regional coordinator for educational projects.
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advantages of finding a secondary teacher job through randstad
Finding your secondary teacher job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a secondary teacher is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the routes of becoming a secondary teacher include:
- university degree: to become a secondary teacher, you must achieve Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) by completing an undergraduate degree. If your first undergraduate degree doesn't have a QTS, you should complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). A PGCE is usually a work-based qualification, combining placements in schools with university lectures and coursework.
- apprenticeship: if you want to join teaching through apprenticeship, you need a first degree in any field. With the degree, you can pursue a postgraduate teaching apprenticeship to qualify as a teacher. Some schools offer salaried teacher training that offers on-the-job training.
- work experience: before you become a secondary teacher, you need extensive teaching experience. If you have an undergraduate degree, you can start as a teaching assistant while you complete your PGCE. Volunteer programmes also improve your experience and employment prospects.
skills and competencies
The following qualities and characteristics are crucial for secondary teachers:
- communication skills: as a secondary teacher, communication skills are vital for your career. You need to explain concepts and relay information to your students. With good communication skills, you can establish classroom expectations, understand student goals and preferences and deliver effective lessons.
- expertise in a specific subject: you need expertise in teaching a particular subject. For instance, if you teach maths, you require specific skills for teaching the subject. You should be familiar with teaching methodologies to impart knowledge to students and help them excel in your subject.
- mentorship: secondary teachers don't just teach students; they mentor them to become successful adults. Mentorship skills help you guide students and encourage them to pursue their goals. You need to know your students personally, understand their interests and passions and help them achieve their ambitions.
- empathy: as a secondary teacher, you need to empathise with your pupils' situations. When you are empathetic, you can understand the needs of your students. If a student is struggling with coursework, you help them overcome the challenges.
- patience: sometimes, students have difficulty understanding new concepts. You need the patience to explain the same concept multiple times and help them understand at their pace. Patience also helps you build confidence in their skills and abilities.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a secondary teacher
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what does 'secondary teacher' mean?
A secondary teacher is someone who teaches students between 11 and 19 years and prepares them for GCSEs.
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what is the difference between primary and secondary teachers?
A primary teacher can teach most subjects on the curriculum to pupils, while a secondary teacher specialises in one subject.
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do you need a degree to become a secondary teacher?
Yes. You need to complete an undergraduate degree with QTS qualifications to become a secondary teacher. You can also join through an apprenticeship.
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can a primary teacher become a secondary teacher?
Yes. A primary teacher can progress to a secondary teacher if they have QTS status and specialise in one subject.
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what does a secondary teacher do?
A secondary teacher imparts knowledge and helps students meet their learning objectives before they graduate to college.
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how do I apply for a secondary teacher vacancy?
Applying for a secondary teacher job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
