Secondary school teacher

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• become a special educational needs teacher, further education teacher or move into pastoral care
• become a specialist leader of education and support teachers in other schools
• move up to be a curriculum leader, head of year, deputy head or headteacher
• work for an exam board, local education authority or work in a gallery or museum as an education officer
• work freelance as a private tutor

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• leadership skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• maths knowledge
• administration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• English Language - Secondary school teachers communicate complex ideas clearly to young people every day, whether explaining concepts, giving instructions, or providing written feedback on work. They also write reports, create teaching materials, and communicate with parents and carers about student progress.
• Mathematics - Secondary school teachers use maths regularly – not just those who teach it. They analyse student data and assessment results to track progress, manage timetables, and interpret statistics about pupil performance. A solid grounding in maths is also a core requirement for entering the profession.
• Psychology - Secondary school teachers need to understand how young people learn, develop, and behave in order to plan effective lessons and manage classrooms. Knowledge of motivation, memory, adolescent development, and how to support students with different needs is central to the job.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Secondary school teachers work with students from diverse backgrounds and need to understand how factors like social class, culture, and family circumstances affect learning. Sociology also helps teachers think critically about education systems, inequality, and how schools function as social institutions.
• English Literature - Secondary school teachers benefit from strong literacy and the ability to engage with texts, ideas, and arguments across many subjects. English Literature develops the analytical and communication skills that help teachers explain concepts, lead discussions, and inspire curiosity in their students.
• Drama - Secondary school teachers essentially perform in front of an audience every lesson, using voice, presence, and timing to hold attention and convey ideas. Skills in improvisation and thinking on your feet are genuinely useful when managing a classroom of teenagers.
• Computer Science - Secondary school teachers increasingly use digital platforms for lesson planning, setting assignments, and tracking student progress. Those who teach computing or related subjects need a solid understanding of programming, algorithms, and computational thinking to deliver the curriculum effectively.