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Teacher - Secondary school - Computing

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Career outlook for teacher - secondary school - computing

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£25,714

Experienced

£41,604

Currently employed in Scotland

30,000

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

Computers and technology are a part of everyday life and the tech industry in Scotland is thriving. To be ready for the workplace, students need to develop computing skills and an understanding of how computer systems work.

As a computing teacher you’d inspire and motivate young people to learn about computers, develop basic computing skills, learn how computers and computer systems work and help them design and build programmes.

You’d teach and support young people with different abilities and prepare them for their National Qualifications and Highers in this subject. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence Technologies and National Qualifications, which you’d use when planning your teaching.

What you might do:

  • Prepare lessons and teaching materials
  • Assess students’ progress and mark their work
  • Set homework
  • Manage classroom behaviour
  • Discuss students' progress with parents and carers
  • Organise study trips, social activities and sports events

 

Things to think about:

  • Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you’d need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested

  • As well as teaching, you’d also attend meetings and regular in-service training courses as part of your professional development. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables, and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers

      

Working conditions

Hours

Teachers work 39 weeks a year, usually from 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. You’re likely to spend some hours outside of this planning lessons, marking pupils' work and taking part in training and parent evenings.

Environment

Secondary school teachers may be classroom based but from time to time may have to carry books and equipment between rooms.

Travel

You could do supply teaching where you work in different schools to cover the absences of permanent teachers.

UK employment status

Full-time

72%

Part-time

26%

Self employed

2%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Mediating
  • Verbal communication
  • Working with technology
  • Written communication
  • Social conscience
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management
  • Ethical
  • Mentoring

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need. 

There are two routes into teaching computing.  You can study a four-year degree that combines education with business studies and computing science (or computing science and maths) or take a one-year computing PGDE course following an undergraduate degree.

Whichever route you take, you must study at least two of these subjects to be able to apply for jobs as a computing teacher:

  • Software development

  • Database systems

  • Web design

  • Any computing area relevant to the computing curriculum in Scottish schools

    ​​​​​​​

You should also be able to demonstrate some experience of working with young people.

Alternative Training Options

Some courses have been developed to offer flexible routes into the teaching profession, including:

  • A supported induction route combines the postgraduate course and induction year training, so you are qualified in less time (University of Dundee)

  • Distance Learning can allow you to study part-time, usually over 18 months, with a placement in a partner local authority school (University of Aberdeen - Primary and Secondary)

  • Secondary with a focus on STEM subjects  - PGDE (University of Dundee)

  • MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching programme (University of Edinburgh)

  • Returning to Teaching course (University of Edinburgh)

  • Combined PGDE with integrated Masters year in Secondary STEM subjects (University of Strathclyde)

Useful subjects

Many colleges and universities will have required subjects that you must have for entry.  In addition, they may also highlight additional subjects that they would value. See individual institutions websites for specific entry information. 

Useful subjects would be:

  • Higher English (essential)

  • National 5 maths (essential)

  • Computing science

Helpful to have

While not all employers list specific qualification requirements they do ask for relevant experience, usually work based, that demonstrates a range of transferable skills.