How to Become a Secondary Teacher in the UK
Qualifications, subjects, routes into teaching, 2026/27 pay and how to get started.
How to become a secondary teacher in the UK
To become a secondary teacher in England, you need a degree, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths. Graduates can gain QTS in about a year through a PGCE or school-based training, and qualified secondary teachers start on £34,069 outside London in 2026/27.
- Ages 11 to 18
- Degree + QTS
- From £34,069
- Key Stages 3, 4 and 5
What does a secondary school teacher do?
Secondary teachers specialise in one subject and teach it to several classes of students aged 11 to 18, through lesson plans, activities, homework and tests. You'll prepare students for GCSEs and A levels, track their progress, manage behaviour and support their wellbeing, often as a form tutor too.
The key stages you could teach
- Key Stage 3: Years 7 to 9, age 11 to 14
- Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11, age 14 to 16, leading to GCSEs
- Key Stage 5: sixth form, age 16 to 18, leading to A levels and vocational qualifications
Subjects you could teach
English, maths, science, history, geography, modern foreign languages, design and technology, art and design, music, PE, citizenship and computing.
You could work in state secondary schools and academies, sixth form colleges, independent or special schools, on supply, long-term cover or in a permanent post.
Secondary teacher qualifications and requirements
- A bachelor's degree, ideally in or close to the subject you want to teach
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths
- An enhanced DBS check
- Up-to-date safeguarding knowledge
- Experience with teenagers, paid or voluntary, to strengthen your application
If your degree isn't in your teaching subject, your training provider may ask you to take a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course first. Requirements here are for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own teacher registration rules.
4 ways to get QTS and become a secondary teacher
Every route ends with Qualified Teacher Status. Which one suits you depends on whether you already have a degree and whether you want to earn while you train.
| Route | How it works |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate training (PGCE or SCITT) | The most common route. Train in your subject at a university or with a school-centred provider, usually over one academic year, with placements in two schools. |
| Postgraduate teaching apprenticeship | For graduates who want to earn while they train. You're employed by a school, the training is funded, and you finish with QTS. |
| Teach First | A salaried programme for graduates, training on the job in schools in disadvantaged areas. |
| Undergraduate degree with QTS | A BEd or BA/BSc with QTS in a secondary subject, taking 3 to 4 years. The route for people who don't yet have a degree. |
Bursaries and scholarships are offered in some subjects, such as maths, physics, chemistry and computing, and the amounts change each year. Once qualified, new teachers in England complete a two-year induction as an early career teacher (ECT). For course listings and current funding, see the government's Get Into Teaching service.
Secondary teacher pay and hours in 2026/27
From September 2026, qualified secondary teachers in England outside London are paid from £34,069 to about £46,939 on the main pay range. Teachers in London are paid more, with Inner London starting pay around £41,729.
- Pay rises through the main pay range as you gain experience, and experienced teachers can move onto the upper pay range
- Leading a subject or a year group, such as becoming head of department, adds a responsibility payment on top
- Teachers work 39 weeks of the year. The school day often runs from about 8.30am to 3.30pm or 4pm, with at least 10% of teaching time set aside for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA)
Figures are the 2026/27 pay scales reported by teaching unions and employers, pending publication of the official pay document. Academies and independent schools can set their own pay.
Primary or secondary teaching: which suits you?
Both lead to QTS and are paid on the same scales. The big difference is whether you'd rather teach one class everything, or teach one subject you love to lots of classes.
| Feature | Secondary teaching | Primary teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Age of students | 11 to 18 | 4 to 11 |
| What you teach | One specialist subject to several classes | The whole curriculum to one class |
| GCSEs needed | English and maths at grade 4 | English, maths and science at grade 4 |
| Exams you prepare for | GCSEs and A levels | Phonics checks and Key Stage 2 SATs |
| Starting pay outside London | £34,069 | £34,069 |
- Prefer younger children? Read our guide on how to become a primary teacher.
- Want to work with students with additional needs? See our guide to SEN teaching jobs.
- Not ready to train yet? Start as a cover supervisor or teaching assistant to get paid classroom experience first.
The CPD training secondary schools look for
Subject knowledge gets you into the classroom, but secondary schools also expect every member of staff to keep students safe, manage behaviour and support mental health. These short, CPD-approved online courses show training providers and schools you're ready, and each one ends with a certificate for your CV.
Safeguarding Children
Spot the signs of abuse and know exactly what to do if a student is at risk. 75 minutes, £35. View the safeguarding course
Children and Young People's Mental Health
Recognise anxiety, depression and other conditions common in teenagers, and support students who are struggling. 90 minutes, £35. View the mental health course
Positive Handling in Schools
De-escalate challenging behaviour calmly, with government guidance and best practice. 100 minutes, £25. View the positive handling course
Autism Awareness
Understand how autism affects a young person's daily life and learning, and adapt your lessons. 30 minutes, £25. View the autism awareness course
Learning Disability Awareness
Support students with learning disabilities in mixed-ability classes. 50 minutes, £25. View the learning disability course
Time Management
Keep on top of marking, planning and reports, so the workload doesn't take over your evenings. 105 minutes, £35. View the time management course
Every course is 100% online and self-paced, with a free trial module so you can try it before you buy.
Get the 4 secondary essentials for less with the Teacher CPD Bundle
Safeguarding, young people's mental health, positive handling and autism awareness cost £120 bought one by one. The Teacher CPD Bundle includes all four, plus Paediatric First Aid and an introduction to EYFS, for £79.
- Safeguarding Children£35
- Young People's Mental Health£35
- Positive Handling in Schools£25
- Autism Awareness£25
TotalWas £120
£79Was £120
All 4 secondary essentials, plus 2 more courses
- 6 CPD-approved courses
- 6 certificates
- Under 8 hours of study
- 100% online, at your pace
Skills for your interview and your teaching career
Getting the job
- Prepare for teacher training and school interviews with Preparing for a Job Interview (20 minutes, £35)
- Manage the pressure of training and your first year with Stress Management (30 minutes, £35)
Moving up
- Aiming for head of department or head of year? Build your confidence with our CPD and ILM-approved Leadership Skills course (90 minutes, £35)
- Browse every short course in our online skills and CPD courses
How to become a secondary teacher: 5 steps
Check your degree and GCSEs
You'll need a degree and grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths.
Get experience with teenagers
Work as a cover supervisor or teaching assistant, and build your CPD with courses like Safeguarding Children.
Choose your route
A PGCE or SCITT, an apprenticeship, Teach First or a degree with QTS.
Train and gain QTS
Complete your training and school placements to earn Qualified Teacher Status.
Start as an ECT
Begin your first teaching job with a two-year early career teacher induction.
Enjoy teaching teenagers? You could also teach English abroad
- Teaching English to teenagers abroad doesn't need QTS. Most schools ask for a degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate.
- Planning to teach exam classes? Our 150-hour Advanced TEFL adds specialist modules that help you stand out.
- Browse all our TEFL jobs around the world. Teaching abroad is also a great way to build classroom experience before you train in the UK.
Becoming a secondary teacher: your questions answered
What qualifications do you need to be a secondary teacher?
In England, you need a bachelor's degree, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths. You'll also need an enhanced DBS check.
Does my degree need to be in the subject I want to teach?
Usually your degree should be in, or closely related to, the subject you want to teach. If it isn't, your training provider may offer a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course to bring you up to speed before you start.
How long does it take to become a secondary teacher?
If you already have a degree, postgraduate training such as a PGCE or SCITT usually takes one academic year. An undergraduate degree with QTS takes 3 to 4 years. After qualifying, you complete a two-year early career teacher induction while working.
How much does a secondary teacher earn in 2026?
From September 2026, secondary teachers in England outside London earn from £34,069 to about £46,939 on the main pay range, with more in London. Experienced teachers can move onto the upper pay range, and roles like head of department add a responsibility payment.
What hours does a secondary school teacher work?
Teachers work 39 weeks of the year. Hours vary by school, but the day often runs from about 8.30am to 3.30pm or 4pm, and most teachers arrive early and stay after the school day. At least 10% of teaching time is set aside for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA).
What makes a good secondary school teacher?
Strong subject knowledge, excellent communication and the ability to build trust with teenagers. Empathy matters, as does connecting lessons to students' real-world interests to keep them motivated. Training in safeguarding, mental health and behaviour helps you handle the situations every secondary teacher meets.
What CPD helps you become a secondary teacher?
Experience with teenagers matters most, but CPD in safeguarding, young people's mental health and behaviour management shows commitment on your application. Our Teacher CPD Bundle covers Safeguarding Children, Young People's Mental Health, Positive Handling in Schools, Autism Awareness and more in six online courses for £79.
Does TEFL UK recruit secondary teachers?
TEFL UK no longer recruits for UK schools. This guide explains how to become a secondary teacher and the training that helps. For teaching English to teenagers abroad, see our TEFL jobs.
Start your journey into secondary teaching
Build the safeguarding, mental health and behaviour training secondary schools and training providers look for, with six CPD-approved courses for £79.