Teacher - Secondary School - Music

You would help young people to learn how to express themselves by playing, composing and performing music and enjoy listening to music.

You would teach young people from 11 to 18 years old. You could work in public or private schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

As a music teacher you’d inspire and motivate your pupils to value and develop their creativity and imagination. You'd teach them about different ways to compose and play music and different forms and styles of music. They would learn to work with other musicians to create amazing performances.

You’d help young people develop an appreciation of aesthetic and cultural values, identities and ideas and prepare the foundations for some pupils to go on to a career in the arts.

You’d teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take the National Qualifications and Highers in this subject.

There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence expressive arts and National Qualifications which you would use when planning your teaching.

You would:

• prepare lessons and teaching materials

• assess students’ progress 

• set homework

• manage classroom behaviour

• discuss students' progress with parents and carers

• organise study trips, social activities and lead on school musicial show and events

You’d encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’d support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.

You’d help them get the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.

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.

You’d need to attend meetings and training courses. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers.

• Teach in Scotland - About a career in teaching: how to apply, studying, early career and professional development

• Education Scotland - Curriculum information, and advice and resources for teachers in Scotland

• Disclosure Scotland – More about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme