Teacher - Secondary School - Music
Inspire your pupils to play and create music. Help them learn instruments and understand the theory behind the music.
About the job
What it's like
If music flows from your fingertips, why not use your skills to inspire the next generation?
In this role, you'll teach young people how to express themselves by playing, composing and performing music. You'll also help your pupils appreciate musicians' talent and introduce them to music they'll enjoy listening to.
As a secondary school music teacher, you'll motivate your pupils to value and develop their creativity. You'll teach them about different ways to compose and play music, as well as the huge range of musical styles.
You'll prepare young people to work with other musicians and create amazing performances. A good music teacher lays the foundations for talented pupils to build a successful career in the arts.
Working in a state or independent school, you'll teach students who are between 11 and 18 years old as they get ready to take National Qualifications or Highers in the subject. Some music teachers are based in a college or learning centre.
Music teachers inspire students to take pride in their achievements, both in and beyond the classroom. It's your job to help them build good relationships with other pupils and teachers, playing a positive part in school life and the local community.
Sometimes, you'll deal with challenging behaviour! It can be difficult to get some pupils to take part in activities. So, you'll need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.
You'll occasionally attend meetings and training courses. Music teachers work closely with colleagues to plan school timetables. Occasionally, you'll collaborate with other professionals, such as educational psychologists and social workers.
Your tasks might include:
preparing lessons and teaching materials
assessing pupils’ progress and marking their work
setting homework and marking it once the students have submitted it
managing behaviour in your classroom
discussing students' progress with parents, carers and other education professionals
organising study trips, social activities or concerts and performances within the school
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
The General Teaching Council for Scotland – explore the independent regulator for teachers
Education Scotland – check out curriculum information, advice and resources for teachers across the country
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Education
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- motivating others
- mentoring
- coaching
- ethical
- social conscience
- respecting
- empathising
- creative
- verbal communication
- supporting
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
English
Music
You'll need a degree to become a music teacher in Scotland.
University
There are two routes you can take at university to get qualified as a music teacher.
Route 1: an honours degree that combines music and teacher education, like a Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours. These courses are created specifically for people who want to teach music in secondary schools.
Route 2: a Music degree, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Secondary Education (Music). This is a very popular way to get into music teaching. Your PGDE lasts for one year and includes work placements.
Use the My World of Work course search to find opportunities.
College
Not got the grades you need to go to university? Studying a Music HNC or HND at college could help you progress to more advanced study.
Previous experience of working with young people, in a voluntary or paid position, looks good on job or course applications. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
All teachers must be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland expects music teachers to have competence across instrumental performance, vocal performance, keyboard performance and musical technology.
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