Secondary School Teacher
Also advertised as: Class Teacher, ECT, Maths Teacher, NQT, Science Teacher, Secondary School Teacher
Plans and delivers lessons to pupils aged 11 to 18 in a specialist subject.
What the job involves
Secondary school teachers plan lessons, mark work and manage classroom behaviour in their specialist subject. You track pupil progress, report to parents and contribute to wider school life through form time and extracurricular clubs. Most routes require a degree and a teacher training year leading to Qualified Teacher Status.
Typical responsibilities
- Plan and deliver lessons against the curriculum
- Assess and mark pupil work
- Manage classroom behaviour
- Report progress to parents and carers
- Contribute to extracurricular activities
Common employers
- Secondary schools
- Academy trusts
- Sixth form colleges
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£30,000 – £33,000 a year
With experience
£38,000 – £50,000 a year
Typical hours
Term-time, typically 39 weeks, with marking outside contact hours
Working environment
Classroom based
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Subject expertise
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Communication
- Patience
Transferable skills you may already have
- Public speaking
- Coaching or mentoring
- Organising groups
Requirements employers ask for
- Subject expertise
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Communication
- Patience
- Degree in a relevant subject
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Enhanced DBS check
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Enhanced DBS check
Useful but not essential
- Public speaking
- Coaching or mentoring
- Organising groups
- Subject-specific postgraduate qualification
- SENCO training
- Pastoral leadership experience
Helpful qualifications
- Subject-specific postgraduate qualification
- SENCO training
- Pastoral leadership experience
Licences and checks
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Enhanced DBS check
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: The subject to be taught
- Related subject: Education studies
Where this career can lead
next
Head of Department
next
Assistant Head
next
Deputy Headteacher
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Long school holidays
- Directly shapes young people's futures
- Clear pay progression
What people find hard
- Marking and planning extend beyond the school day
- Behaviour management can be draining
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a secondary school teacher?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. required
- How much does a secondary school teacher earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £30,000 to £33,000 a year, rising towards £50,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Public speaking, Coaching or mentoring, Organising groups.
Related careers
Teaching Assistant
Supports pupils' learning in the classroom, often working closely with those who need extra help.
Primary School Teacher
Plans and teaches the full curriculum to a class of primary-aged children.
School Business Manager
Runs the finances, premises and administration behind a school's day-to-day operation.
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Coordinates support for pupils with additional learning needs across a school.
Education Welfare Officer
Works with families and schools to tackle poor school attendance and safeguarding concerns.
Further Education Tutor
Teaches vocational or academic subjects to students aged 16 and over in colleges and training providers.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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