Teacher - Secondary School - Chemistry
Teach young people about the properties of matter and inspire them to learn more about how substances interact through chemical reactions to form different substances.
Also known as: chemistry 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 and motivate young people to learn about the properties of matter and how substances interact through chemical reactions to form different substances.
As a chemistry teacher you’d teach the pupils about elements, atoms and molecules and the scientific principles and concepts used to understand the material world.
You would teach young people from 11 to 18 years old, in state and independent schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.
You’d help your pupils develop skills in the accurate use of scientific language, formulae and equations and how to use practical techniques for scientific inquiry and investigation.
They would learn how scientific discoveries make an impact on people’s lives, society and the enviroment. You’d teach them the capacity to be scientifically literate citizens and prepare the foundations for some pupils to go on to a career in science and technologies.
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 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.
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.
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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
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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:
Chemistry
English
Mathematics
Applications of Mathematics
You'll need a Chemistry Degree (SCQF Level 9/10).
To become a qualified teacher, you'll need to complete a PGDE – Professional Graduate Diploma in Education – in Chemistry (SCQF Level 11).
If you don't already have a degree, you can study chemistry with teacher training over four to five years. Courses available include:
An MChem (SCQF Level 11) which combines a Royal Society of Chemistry-accredited degree with teacher training (PGDE)
Or a combined honours in Education (Secondary) with Chemistry (SCQF Level 10)
To enter a chemistry degree or MChem usually requires National 5 qualifications and at least four Highers – Advanced Highers in maths and chemistry would be preferred. Some competitive courses will ask for Highers in one sitting.
To enter a PGDE, you'll need a chemistry degree with at least 80 SCQF Credit Points in a combination of organic, physical and inorganic chemistry.
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate the ability to work with children or young people, communication skills and experience in sciences, in particular chemical 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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