Secondary School Teacher
Teach a specialist subject to pupils aged 11–18, shaping young people's knowledge, skills, and futures while working in a structured, nationally-recognised profession.
Low
Very high
3–4 years for a degree plus PGCE; 4–5 years for an undergraduate QTS programme; 1 year via PGCE or School Direct for graduates. Teach First is a 2-year employment-based programme. Career changers with a relevant degree can enter via School Direct or PGCE in as little as 1 year.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is required to teach in state-maintained schools in England. QTS is achieved via a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Level 7, 1 year), School Direct (salaried or tuition-fee route), or Teach First (2-year programme for high-achieving graduates). A relevant undergraduate degree (typically 2:2 or above) is required for most routes. The National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching is optional CPD for career development.
possible
What you do
Secondary school teachers plan and deliver lessons in a specialist subject — such as maths, science, English, history, or a modern language — to classes of up to 30 pupils. You assess and mark work, track pupil progress, manage classroom behaviour, contribute to pastoral care, attend parents' evenings, and collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development. Teachers also take on form tutor responsibilities and may lead extracurricular activities or departments.
Why this career is resilient
Teaching is a statutory public service. Every child in England has a legal right to education, guaranteeing sustained demand. The DfE reports chronic shortages in maths, science, and modern languages, meaning qualified subject specialists are actively recruited. QTS is a nationally portable, legally protected professional status. Technology will augment teaching but cannot replace the teacher-pupil relationship.
A typical day
A typical day begins with form registration, followed by three or four lessons with different year groups, a briefing meeting, break and lunch duties, marking and lesson planning, and an after-school intervention session with a pupil behind on coursework.
Routes in
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Employer-funded training
Some employers — particularly the NHS, emergency services, and larger care providers — run their own funded training programmes. You apply for a job and train as you work.
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Main pay scale in England 2024/25: £30,000 (starting) to £46,525. Upper pay range: up to £49,084. Leadership scale beyond that. London weighting supplements apply. Academy trust pay may vary. ISA registration required from 2025.
Training costs: PGCE tuition fees up to £9,535/year (2024/25); bursaries of up to £28,000 available for shortage subjects such as maths, physics, and chemistry. School Direct salaried route pays a training salary. Student loan covers undergraduate costs.