Making your option choices in school? Get inspired and pick the future you want using our Option Choices tool, tips and guidance!

Teacher - Secondary School - Geography

Help young people to learn more about the physical world around them, the environment and how people shape the places where they live.

About skillsGetting in

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 more about the physical world around them and how the environment develops and changes.

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.

As a geography teacher you’d help your pupils understand how people are affected by the environment and how they shape the places where they live.

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 Social Studies 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.

Hours

Teaching takes place for 39 weeks a year, usually from 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. You are likely to spend several more hours outside of these times, planning lessons, marking pupils' work and taking part in activities such as outings, parent evenings and training.

Environment

Secondary school teachers often have a base classroom. However, from time to time they may have to carry books and equipment from room to room. This is subject to the space available in each school.

Travel

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

Explore more information about this job

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

Like the sound of this career?

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Teacher - Secondary School - Geography'

Select qualification level(s)

Show me courses

Other careers that you might like

  • Teacher - Secondary School - Physical Education
  • Teacher - Secondary School
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Gaelic
  • Teacher - Secondary school - Computing
  • Teacher - Secondary school - Design and technology
  • Teacher - Secondary School - English
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Biology
  • Teacher - Secondary School - History
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Religious Education
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Home Economics
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Art and Design
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Mathematics
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Chemistry
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Physics
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Business Studies
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Music
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Modern Studies
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Modern Languages
  • Teacher - Secondary School - Drama
Browse all job profiles

Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

    View all industries

    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

    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.

    Discover skills

    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:

    • English

    • Geography

    • Mathematics

    • Applications of Mathematics

    You will need either a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree in Environmental Geography (SCQF level 9/10) or you can apply with a relevant degree to a PGDE — Professional Graduate Diploma in Education — in Geography (SCQF level 11).

    To enter a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree in Environmental Geography (SCQF 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 relevant degree.

    To enter this job applicants must have completed degree level study or above gaining at least 80 SCQF credit points from a range of subjects such as physical geography, human geography and environmental geography.

    Qualifications and experience that demonstrate the ability to work with children or young people, communication skills and experience in geography, science and environmental areas 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.

    Find the right course for you

    Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Teacher - Secondary School - Geography'

    View all courses

    Search jobs and apprenticeships

    View work opportunities