Teacher - Secondary School - Biology
Teach young people about the wonderful world of living things.
Also known as: biology with science teacher
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About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£577
Entry level
£904
Experienced
Monthly
£2,500
Entry level
£3,917
Experienced
Yearly
£30,000
Entry level
£47,000
Experienced
29,300
people are currently employed
High growth
300 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would inspire young people to learn about life and how organisms survive, thrive and change.
As a biology teacher, you’d teach pupils about cells, genes and evolution. You would also teach pupils the scientific principles and concepts used to understand the living world.
You would work with young people from 11 to 18 years old. You could work in public or private schools. You may also work in a college or learning centre.
You’d help your pupils learn how to use scientific language, formulae and equations and practical techniques for scientific investigation.
They would learn how scientific discoveries impact people’s lives, society and the environment.
You’d teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take National Qualifications and Highers in this subject. There is guidance for Curriculum for Excellence Sciences and National Qualifications which you would use when planning your teaching.
You would:
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
As a teacher, you’d encourage students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’d support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers. You would inspire pupils to play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.
Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you'll 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, You would also work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers.
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Hours
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Environment
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Travel
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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.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- motivating others
- mentoring
- coaching
- ethical
- social conscience
- respecting
- empathising
- written communication
- verbal communication
- supporting
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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 the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
English
Human Biology
You will need either a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree in Biology (SCQF level 9/10) or you can apply with any relevant degree to a PGDE - Professional Graduate Diploma in Education - in Biology or Biology with Science (SCQF level 11).
To enter a Bachelor of Education (BEd) Biology degree (SCFQ level 9/10) you may require National 5 qualifications and at least four Highers at B or above. Some courses will require this in one sitting.
If you are applying to a PGDE (SCQF level 11) you will need a degree.
To enter this job applicants must have completed degree level study or above gaining at least 80 SCQF credit points in relevant subjects such as animal biology, biochemistry, human biology or biomolecular sciences.
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate the ability to work with children or young people, communication skills and experience in science, in particular biological sciences, will be helpful.
You will be expected to support literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing as well as your own subject.
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
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