A career in primary school teaching is the opportunity to support children through their learning journey from the age of four to eleven. You will get to help teach them about the world, their society, as well as core subjects, including English, Maths and Science.
This means planning lessons to make them as engaging as possible while balancing different educational needs and aptitudes. As a Primary School eacher, you will also provide pastoral care, making sure the children are happy, healthy and that school is a positive experience.
If you’re considering primary school teaching as a career after working as a Teacher's Assistant or if you're starting from scratch, it’s important to know what qualifications you need to be eligible for primary teaching jobs. Fortunately, there are different routes to becoming a Primary School Teacher. Below, we have explained the options available to you and how you can become qualified to apply for Primary School Teacher jobs.
Becoming a Primary School Teacher
A Primary School Teacher, UK learners, must be degree educated. The most well-known qualification is a PGCE, or post-graduate certificate in education. However, this requires a degree to get into the course. This is a perfectly acceptable route into teaching, and it gives you considerable freedom to pursue your academic interests at degree level.
If you want to get qualified as a Primary School Teacher a little quicker, then a Bachelor’s in Education will shave a year off your studies and give you all the skills and knowledge you need to shape the minds of tomorrow.
Entry requirements vary from one university to another, however, there are some essential qualifications you need ahead of applying. These include:
- GCSEs in both English and Maths at grade C/4 or above. This is considered the baseline of literacy and numeracy. If you don’t have these, then you will need to take (or retake) those qualifications
- Some universities may ask for 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English and Maths. So, make sure you check each university’s requirements as you consider your options
- You will also need at least 2 A-Levels at grade C or above. If you plan on going into primary school teaching, then you have quite a lot of freedom in terms of what subjects you can study
The alternative to A-Levels (or the equivalent if you studied elsewhere) is an Access to Higher Education Diploma.
What Do You Need to Be a Primary School Teacher?
If you don’t have the GCSEs in Maths and English, then you need to achieve those, first and foremost. You can do this by studying online with learndirect. We provide a range of nationally recognised GCSE courses ideal for individuals who were unable to gain these qualifications at school. Alternatively, you can obtain GCSE grade equivalents through Functional Skills courses.
While universities are becoming more flexible, some qualifications are simply non-negotiable. This is because both the university and future employers need to know that you have the basic knowledge required to pass on to your pupils as a Primary School Teacher.
A-Levels
Depending on whether you study a standard degree or a Bachelor’s in Education, the requirements may differ. Regardless, in most instances, you will need 2 or 3 A-Levels to be accepted onto a degree course.
Studying A-Levels gives you a huge amount of variety in terms of subjects. If you’re planning on studying a Bachelor of Education degree, then you don’t have to worry about studying a relevant subject.
If you plan on studying a BSc or BA and then go on to study a PGCE to become a Primary School Teacher, UK residents should know that the A-Levels you choose need to be relevant to your undergraduate degree.
By taking A-Levels that naturally complement each other, you can build a foundation that will help you with your degree studies. You may want to consider the following:
The advantage of distance learning is that you don’t need to wait until September to start studying, you can just enrol and get going. This means if you time it right, you can get your A-Levels and start university within 2 years.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
The alternative to A-Levels is the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The Access to HE Diploma was created specifically to prepare anyone who lacks relevant qualifications for university. The content of the diploma focuses specifically around the degree you want to study. In this case, teaching.
The diploma gives you strong foundational knowledge in your chosen area of study and essential study skills. This is especially helpful for anyone who has been out of education for some time and whose essay writing skills may be a tad rusty.
The one thing to note is not all Access to HE Diplomas are the same. An Access to HE Diploma in Chemistry is unlikely to get you onto a teaching degree. It’s also worth noting that an Access to HE Diploma (Education Professions) is slanted towards primary education.
This is purely because secondary level teaching requires a foundation of knowledge in a specific subject, whereas primary teaching requires you to have a broader understanding as well as a strong grasp of developmental psychology, etc. So, if you have ambitions of working as a Primary School Teacher, then this is the Access course for you.
An Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions) will specifically cover a range of topics to prepare you for Primary School Teacher jobs. This will cover:
- Family
- Current Developments in Education
- Child Development Early Socialisation
- Play in the Curriculum
- Numeracy Skills for Primary Education
You will also learn how to manage behaviour in the classroom, perspectives on education, and safeguarding. By the time you have completed the course, you will be ready to take the next step on your journey to becoming a Teacher.
How Much Do Primary School Teachers Get Paid?
There is no fixed salary for a Primary School Teacher. Today, UK-based teachers earn a salary determined by their geographical location and specific level of responsibility. For instance, teachers working in Inner and Outer London receive higher weightings to compensate for the cost of living compared to those in the rest of England and Wales.
Once you have completed your initial training and moved into your Early Career Teacher (ECT) years—the term that has replaced NQT—you will start on the Main Pay Scale. Starting salaries now typically range from £32,000 to £39,000 per year, depending on your proximity to London.
As you progress through your career and move onto the Upper Pay Scale or take on Leading Practitioner roles, your earning potential increases significantly. Experienced Primary School Teachers can now expect to earn upwards of £49,000 to £55,000 per year, with those in leadership or Headship positions earning substantially more.
Get Started Today!
The good news is you can study both A-Levels and Access to HE Diplomas with learndirect, the UK’s leading online learning provider. So, you can fit your studies around your work and personal life. You just enrol and start your learning at your own pace. With online learning, all the materials are ready and waiting, and you get to dictate how and when you study.
If you are keen to become a Primary School Teacher, UK learners can study their way towards their dream role thanks to our Teacher training courses online! To find out more information about your options, speak to one of our Course Executives on 01202 006 464. Alternatively, contact us online or download our FREE Access to Higher Education Diploma Faculty Brochure below for more information.
