Secondary school teachers generally specialise in one or two subjects and teach children ages 11-18. They generally teach classes of differing abilities of around 30 children.
Secondary education employs teachers in both state and private schools.
Typical work activities
- Planning, preparing and delivering lessons
- Researching new material
- Contact time with pupils
- Marking work, assessing and recording progress
- Participating in extracurricular activities, meetings and parents evenings
- Undertaking pastoral care and supervision activities
- Writing reports for parents, department heads and educational professionals.
- Preparing students for specific examinations
Depending on your job role you may also be asked to contribute to extra-curricular activities.
Some teaching jobs will ask you have two subjects, where your main subject usually follows your degree and your secondary subject will usually be one you studies to A-level or equivalent.
Interested in a career in teaching?
Qualifications and work experience
Student Suzannah Murphy talks about her experience working with young children as an au pair
More information
The prospects website has more information about this career path.
The Careers and Employability Service has more resources to help in your career search.