what is a KS2 teacher?

As a KS2 teacher, you teach the second stage of primary school education. In England and Wales, Key Stage 2 is the second stage of a child's education from Year 3 to Year 6, with children between 7 and 11 years old. At the end of the KS2, children take a national SAT that assesses their maths and English progress. In KS2, teaching shifts to a subject-specific style since students learn more complex concepts in various subjects.

As a KS2 teacher, you educate children on various subjects in the national curriculum. For instance, you teach fundamental mathematical concepts and science and improve the literacy and writing skills developed in the KS1 stage. New subjects are also introduced at this stage, and you help pupils adapt to the large workload. For instance, religious education is mandatory in KS2 in state-funded schools, but parents can remove their children from the classes. A KS2 teacher also attends other school functions like staff and parent-teacher meetings. You also plan school trips and supervise your pupils during the trips.

The role requires a passion for teaching and working with children. You also need the patience to handle children and help them learn at their pace. Organisation skills help you organise your work schedule.

Would working as a KS2 teacher suit your organisational skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a KS2 teacher role.

find your KS2 teacher job
1

average KS2 teacher salary

According to ONS, the salary of a KS2 teacher is £34,226 per year. When you are new to the role, you earn a compensation package of £31,200 annually. As you improve your experience and qualifications, your earnings increase to over £43,834 yearly.

what factors affect the salary of a KS2 teacher?

As a KS2 teacher, your compensation package depends on your qualification and work experience. While all KS2 teachers have a bachelor's degree, additional certification can increase your salary. For instance, having certifications in foreign languages or sciences improves your expertise, and you are likely to earn more. Working as a teaching assistant also improves your experience handling kids and boosts your earning potential.

Your employer also influences your earnings. When you work in state-sponsored schools, your salary is determined by the government and is often fixed. However, working in independent schools and academies improves your earning prospects since free schools set their salaries.

The location influences your compensation package due to the fluctuating demands for KS2 teachers in different locations and the cost of living. When you work in large cities, you are likely to earn more due to the high demand for KS2 teachers in the area and the high cost of living.

smiling female assisting two children with studies
smiling female assisting two children with studies
2

types of KS2 teachers

KS2 teachers are primary school teachers who teach pupils in Years 3 to Year 6. While a KS2 teacher is trained to teach all subjects in the curriculum, they can specialise in the following subjects:

  • English curriculum: as a KS2 teacher, you help students improve their reading and writing skills. You teach them poetry and fictional writing.
  • maths curriculum: as a KS2 teacher, you help pupils learn basic math skills. You ensure they can perform various mathematical operations and learn to use measuring instruments.
  • science curriculum: your focus in KS2 is to expand a child's science knowledge. You guide pupils through science experiments and help them express their findings in scientific language.
3

working as a KS2 teacher

Working as a KS2 teacher involves teaching children, which requires passion and enthusiasm. If you are interested in the role, here are some of the daily activities and duties of a KS2 teacher:

4

education and skill

To become a KS2 teacher, you require the following educational qualifications:

  • university education: you need an undergraduate degree like a bachelor of education, bachelor of arts and bachelor of science courses to gain a qualified teacher status. If you already have a degree, complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to get qualified teacher status. A PGCE course can be completed at a university or a vocational school.
  • work experience: you require experience and in-school teaching practice to become a KS2 teacher. You could start working as a teaching assistant to learn how to handle kids and plan lessons.

KS2 teacher skills and competencies

Some of the qualities of a KS2 teacher include the following:

  • teaching knowledge: as a KS2 teacher, you require adequate knowledge of the subjects you teach. Since you juggle multiple subjects, being well-versed in the relevant areas for your teaching class is important. Some schools require KS2 teachers to have additional degrees or diplomas to teach specific topics.
  • listening skills: as a KS2 teacher, you rely on student feedback to assess their progress in class. You ask subject-relevant questions and listen to their responses and concerns. Active listening skills help show pupils that you value their ideas and gauge their understanding of various topics.
  • effective communication skills: as a KS2 teacher, you require effective communication skills to communicate with students. Your clear and concise communication skills help you explain concepts to pupils clearly. You also rely on your written communication skills to prepare reports and lesson plans for different subjects.
  • patience: as a KS2 teacher, you handle every pupil. Kids are different with individual needs. Some pupils learn fast, while others need additional help and guidance. Patience helps you guide each pupil at their pace instead of teaching at your speed and expecting them to catch up.
smiling female
smiling female
5

FAQs about working as a KS2 teacher

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a KS2 teacher.

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.