Primary School Teacher

Job description

Classroom teachers in primary schools develop schemes of work and lesson plans according to curriculum objectives. Primary teachers facilitate learning by building relationships with their pupils and by organising learning resources and the classroom learning environment.

Primary school teachers utilise their social skills to facilitate the optimum development of children, according to age, ability and aptitude. They assess and record progress and prepare pupils for examinations. They link pupils' knowledge to earlier learning and develop ways to encourage it further, and challenge and inspire pupils to help them develop their knowledge and understanding.

Typical work activities

Primary schools in England and Wales are usually divided into two stages, known as lower primary or infants (Key Stage 1: ages 5 to 7) and upper primary or juniors (Key Stage 2: seven to 11). In England there is sometimes a middle tier, so that children go to a primary school from the age of five to eight or nine, transfer to a middle school from the age of eight or nine to 12, and then move to a secondary school. In Scotland, primary school classes are organised by age from Primary 1 (age 5) to Primary 7 (age 12).

Typical activities are broadly the same for all primary school teachers and include:

• teaching all areas of the primary curriculum
• taking responsibility for the progress of a class of primary age pupils
• organising the classroom and learning resources to create a positive learning environment
• planning and delivering lessons that cater for the whole ability range of pupils
• inspiring pupils with enthusiastic and creative delivery
• employing effective behaviour management strategies
• assessing and recording pupils' development
• providing progress reports at parent evenings and one-to-ones
• collaborating with colleagues to coordinate activities and resources within a specific area of the curriculum, and supporting the delivery of specialist areas
• playing a full role in extracurricular activities and school events which could take place in the evenings or at weekends
• working with flexibility, especially in smaller or more rural schools

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