Teacher - Secondary School
What's it like?
You'd inspire and motivate young people to study and learn. You'd help them get the knowledge, skills and attributes they'll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.
You would teach young people from 11 to 18 years old, in state and independent schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.
You would specialise in one or two subjects and teach these to students of different ages and abilities. You'd prepare young people to take the National Qualifications and Highers in your subjects.
There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence and National Qualifications, which you would use when planning your teaching.
You would:
- Prepare lessons and teaching materials.
- Assess students' progress and mark their work.
- Manage classroom behaviour.
- Discuss students' progress with parents and carers.
- Organise study trips, social activities and sports events.
- You'd encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You'd support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.
Sometimes you would need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you'd need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.
You'd need to attend meetings and training courses. You'd work closely with colleagues to plan the school's timetables, and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers.
Working conditions
Hours
Teaching takes place for 39 weeks a year, usually from 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. You are likely to spend several more hours outside of these times, planning lessons, marking pupils' work and taking part in activities such as outings, parent evenings and training.
Environment
Secondary school teachers often have a base classroom. However, from time to time they may have to carry books and equipment from room to room. This is subject to the space available in each school.
Travel
You could do supply teaching where you work in different schools for short periods to cover the absences of permanent teachers.