Teaching in Early Years, Schools and FE

It is important to research the different teaching roles available as each comes with its own unique age group, curriculum, teaching style, and working environment. Understanding these differences will help you to make informed decisions about which setting best suits your skills, interests, and career goals. It also ensures you pursue the right qualifications and training pathways for your chosen teaching phase.  

Teaching Roles 

• Early Years Teacher
• Special educational needs teacher
• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Further Education Teacher

Other Teaching Roles 

While this page focuses on teaching in traditional classroom settings, there are many other teaching-related roles worth exploring. If you're interested in teaching English abroad or to non-native speakers, visit our TEFL page. To learn more about becoming a Higher Education Lecturer, see our Academia and Higher Education page. 

For a broader look at alternative teaching careers beyond the classroom, check out the Education Alternatives report. 

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to thoroughly reviewing the person specification, job description and job advert for each role you’re interested in before applying. 

Alongside a genuine passion for your subject(s), teaching is fundamentally about working with people —your pupils, their parents and carers, and your colleagues. That’s why interpersonal skills and other key other key transferable skills are just as important as subject knowledge. 

Here are some of the essential skills and attributes that support effective and inspiring teaching: 

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Whether it’s adjusting lesson plans, responding to changes in the curriculum, or managing the unexpected, adaptability is crucial for staying effective and responsive in the classroom.
• Communication and Listening Skills: Teachers must be able to explain complex concepts clearly, manage classroom behaviour, and listen actively to students to understand their needs and concerns.
• Creativity and Imagination: Creative teaching approaches make learning more engaging and enjoyable. They also help students connect with content in meaningful ways.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Teachers constantly evaluate situations, resolve issues, and make decisions that impact learning. Strong critical thinking supports this dynamic role.
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding your students’ personal and emotional challenges helps foster trust and promotes a caring, inclusive classroom culture.
• Leadership and Classroom Management: Teachers are leaders in their classrooms. Strong leadership helps maintain structure, promote positive behaviour, and create a safe, respectful space for learning.
• Organisation: Planning lessons, managing resources, and keeping track of curriculum goals all require a high level of organisation. It’s key to staying on top of your workload and reducing stress.
• Patience: Every student learns at their own pace. Patience allows teachers to remain calm and encouraging, particularly when students struggle or need extra support.
• Resilience: Teaching can be challenging—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Resilience helps teachers cope with setbacks, maintain motivation, and continue to grow professionally.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Teaching is rarely done in isolation. Working well with other teachers, support staff, and leadership teams ensures a consistent and supportive learning environment for students.
• Time Management: From lesson preparation and marking to meetings and parent communication, teaching requires excellent time management to balance competing priorities effectively 

To learn more about the skills required as a teacher review the relevant job profile(s) under the ‘Explore teaching roles’ section above. To learn more about the day-to-day duties of a teacher read What it's like to be a teacher. 

In order to develop these skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Building Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

Early Years, Primary or Secondary 

To be employed as a teacher in a state-maintained school you will need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through a period of initial teacher training (ITT), followed by a 2 year long period of induction as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) formerly newly qualified teacher (NQT). Although QTS is not a legal requirement for teaching in academies, free schools, or independent schools, it is often preferred and commonly held by teachers in these settings. 

The most popular ways to become a teacher to study for a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with QTS. Courses combine substantial teaching placements with academic study. Not all PGCE courses include QTS, so check before you apply.  

Your postgraduate teacher training course might be provided by: 

• A university
• A school or group of schools (sometimes referred to as school-led training)
• Teach First   

If you need to strengthen your subject knowledge before starting secondary teacher training, you may be eligible to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. These courses are ideal if you studied a different but related degree, have an A level (but not a degree) in the subject you want to teach, or if you completed a languages degree but need to improve your proficiency in a main or second language to meet the standards required for teaching in schools. SKE courses are typically run in shortage subjects such as physics, mathematics, and chemistry.   

To learn more about training to teach, visit the The Get Into Teaching Service. You can also listen to our Career Zone podcast episode From Campus to Classroom: Entry Routes into Primary and Secondary Teaching. 

If you are an international student, the Get Into Teaching Service has a dedicated overseas team that can assess your qualifications to determine if they meet UK equivalency standards. If your qualifications don't meet the requirements, they will guide you on the steps to take. Additionally, they can provide advice on obtaining a 'statement of comparability' to demonstrate how your qualifications align with UK standards. Learn more about training to teach as a Non-UK citizen. 

Further Education 

For advice on how to qualify as an FE teacher review the Further education teacher job profile (look under ‘Qualifications’). 

The University’s Aspiring Teachers programme offers a range of opportunities to help you gain valuable teaching and education experience - helping you build your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your CV. These opportunities include: 

• Action Tutoring’s Volunteer Placement Opportunities
• Aspiring Teachers at the RAMMuseum
• Axiom Maths Circle Mentor
• CoachBright Volunteer Coaches
• Enrichment Programme Volunteers at St James Secondary
• Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme
• Learning for Teaching Module
• Paid Teaching Internships
• Peer Mentor Scheme
• The Brilliant Club 

For more details visit the Aspiring Teachers website.  

Further opportunities 

Internships in the teaching sector are relatively rare, so most students gain experience through volunteering or informal work experience. Use the websites below to explore potential opportunities: 

• Gaining school work experience – how to get teaching experience in schools and alternative ideas for work experience.
• Get teaching experience with an internship - students studying certain degree subjects are eligible to apply for a paid teaching internship.
• British Council’s English Language Assistants programme – offers paid 6-month or one-year teaching placements abroad.
• The Brilliant Club - a non-profit organisation that recruits and trains doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to deliver programmes of university-style teaching to pupils in schools that serve under-represented communities.
• Education-focused charities may offer volunteer opportunities which can be a great way to develop skills, gain insight into the sector, and show your genuine interest in teaching and/or education.  

Placements  

If you would like to gain work experience that is integrated into your academic course, you may want to consider a placement. The University offers a Learning from Teaching module, which is helpful if you are interested in a career in education or teaching. 

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the  Placements Hub via your Exeter Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including how to apply for a placement and information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level teaching positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

 All Teaching Roles (Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Education) 

• The Guardian Education Jobs
• Gov.UK Teaching Vacancies
• Tes Jobs
• South West Education Jobs
• Local Authority Websites – e.g. Devon Council, Plymouth Council and Cornwall Council

Early Years-Specific Roles 

• Day Nurseries UK
• Guardian Nursery and Early Years Jobs
• Nursery World Jobs
• MITEY: Men In The Early Years Jobs   

If you are looking to apply for teaching positions, you may find the following Career Zone podcast episodes helpful:  

• What to expect when applying for a teaching role as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) Part 1 - featuring Rachel Cane, Initial Teacher Training Coordinator at The Spires College in Torquay.
• What to expect when applying for a teaching role as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) Part 2 - featuring Louise Simpson, Head at Exeter School.
• What to expect when applying for a teaching role as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) Part 3 - featuring Simon Holmes, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at Purbeck School. 

Further Education 

Further Education (FE) colleges are located across the UK, and many operate satellite centres within local communities. These centres are often based in venues such as community centres, libraries, schools, and high street premises. In addition, local authorities frequently offer adult education services, often in partnership with FE colleges. 

• Association of Colleges AOC Jobs
• Tes Jobs
• FE Careers
• FE Jobs
• Jobs.ac.uk  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Graduate Schemes 

Graduate schemes in the teaching sector are limited, with most graduates entering the profession either by undertaking a teacher training course or by being employed directly as a trainee teacher. 

• Teach First - Teach First is a UK-based charity and teacher training programme that aims to address educational inequality through placements into schools serving disadvantaged communities. It is a two-year salaried teaching programme and upon successful completion, you will be awarded a fully funded PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). 
• Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme – scheme that brings graduates to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers and Sports Education Advisors.

Further sources of support 

• If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 
• To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal. 
• For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research career progression opportunities within teaching. 

Career progression in teaching | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK -  outlines the different paths for career progression, including leadership roles, specialist positions, and opportunities beyond the classroom. 

It is also worth reviewing the ‘Career prospects’ sections of the relevant teacher profiles on Prospects: 

• Early Years Teacher
• Special educational needs teacher
• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Further Education Teacher 

 Once you are a teacher, there are occasionally opportunities to study for Masters courses in specialist areas.   

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.