Become a teacher in Wales

I am thinking of becoming a teacher

Physics teaching is one of the most challenging and fulfilling careers you could consider. As a specialist physics teacher, you will play a pivotal role in educating the next generation of physicists and engineers. Almost 10% of the total workforce in Wales are employed in education.

Why teach?

Teaching physics allows you to use your physics knowledge and your passion for learning every day

You will make the most of the skills you have acquired from your degree and will leave the workplace at the end of the day feeling satisfied that you are playing an inspirational role in young peoples’ lives.

No single day in the classroom is the same. You will be required to think on your feet and use your creativity to address new challenges and answer unique questions.

Although you will need to be resilient and patient, and have excellent communication skills, you will be supported throughout your training as you discover what it takes to become a great teacher of physics. For more information visit Discover Teaching.

Benefits – a career for the future

Teaching is a career that is both personally and financially rewarding. As a qualified teacher in Wales you will earn a competitive salary and have access to a wealth of other benefits – from a generous pension to up to 13 weeks of holiday allowance.

As a qualified teacher, your starting salary on the main pay scale in Wales will be approximately £32,432. Salaries increase each year, giving you the potential to earn more, depending on your career path. If you become a headteacher you can expect to earn between £72,263 and more than £133,000.

On top of the financial benefits, your career options remain very varied. As a physics teacher, you can gain seniority within the classroom or in a leadership role, depending on your interests and aptitudes. You could move up to gain responsibility for the physics department, focus on special needs or pastoral care, or become a deputy head teacher.

As well as job satisfaction, teaching also offers great employment prospects and job security. After you qualify there are numerous opportunities teachers to climb the career ladder.

Seventy per cent of newly qualified teachers are still in the profession after five years.

There are also opportunities beyond the classroom such as coaching a football team or running STEM clubs.

Financial support while you train

A trainee teacher in Wales can access funding and support while training. This will vary depending on:

• Where you train;
• How you train;
• Which subject you want to teach;
• Personal circumstances; and
• Where you live.

To find out what you are eligible for, contact Student Finance.

When to train

There are different routes you can take to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at different stages of your life. It can be completed as part of a degree, after a degree, as a part-time course alongside work or as a full-time course after you have been working in another sector or industry.

The education environment is constantly changing as it responds to new government policies, and new teaching and learning theories. You will need to be prepared to be willing to learn to teach throughout your life.

Visit Careers Wales for more information on how to become a teacher in Wales.

If you have any further questions visit Discover Teaching or please email [email protected].