Primary school teaching

Primary school teachers are involved in the social, intellectual, physical and moral development of pupils in their class. A teacher works with one single class for an entire academic year and is responsible for teaching a wide range of subjects on the National Curriculum. The teacher plans and delivers lessons, sets and marks assignments, works as a team-member within the wider school staff, and, as required, liaises with parents and other relevant individuals such as educational psychologists.

Depending on school size, teachers may have responsibility for more than one curriculum class group and as such will have to divide their time, presenting different material on different subjects to students at different levels within a single classroom.

Working life

A typical working day for a primary school teacher lasts five and a half hours. As well as classroom time this may also include time spent in schoolyard supervision. Additional time outside of the standard working day is required for preparation of teaching materials and the marking of assignments submitted by pupils, as well as attendance at parent-teacher meetings, where teachers provide parents with feedback on their children’s progress.

While the working day of a primary teacher may appear short, this work is extremely intensive requiring constant concentration as well as immense creativity and energy. Working with younger children can be challenging and yet extremely rewarding. Teachers will often become involved in extra-curricular activities such as school trips, various sporting activities, school concerts and musicals.

Newly qualified primary school teachers are given responsibility for delivering the curriculum material to their class; they also assume all the other duties of a teacher from the beginning of their appointment. The support of more experienced staff members will be available and it is often helpful to discuss issues of concern with other staff members, benefiting from their knowledge and experience.

Qualifications

Republic of Ireland
Anyone wishing to work as a primary school teacher in Ireland will have to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland. There are two entry routes:

• A bachelor of education (BEd)
• A postgraduate diploma in primary education.

For both routes, you must have achieved the prescribed results in Leaving Certificate or Northern Ireland GCSE/GCE A Level Examinations.

For Leaving Certificate these requirements are a grade C in Higher Level Irish and at least a grade D in Mathematics (Higher or Ordinary level) and at least a grade C (Ordinary Level) or grade D (Higher Level) in English.

For A Levels, the requirements are a grade C at GCE A Level Irish, a grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature, or a Grade B at GCSE level in either; a grade D at GSCE level in Additional Mathematics or a Grade A at GCSE level in Mathematics.

The Teaching Council also considers evidence of character (including Garda vetting) and teaching experience.

If you have completed teacher training outside Ireland, the Teaching Council stipulates that you must apply to them for recognition. You must complete an aptitude test or adaptation period to satisfy them that you are competent to teach the Irish language. Recognition is granted on an individual basis. You are exempt from this test if you have the PGCE through Irish or the four-year honours Irish Academic course at St. Mary’s College, Belfast.

Further details are available on The Teaching Council website.

Northern Ireland
To work as a primary teacher in Northern Ireland you must be approved by the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI).

Where can I study primary teaching in Ireland?

Republic of Ireland
In Ireland there are six Colleges of Education:

• St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra 
• Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
• Froebel College of Education, Blackrock, Co. Dublin 
• Colaiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin 
• Hibernia College, Dublin 
• Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin

Northern Ireland
Initial Teacher Education in NI for primary level teaching is provided at:

• Stranmillis University College (a college of Queen’s University Belfast) 
• St. Mary’s University College (a college of Queen’s University Belfast)
• University of Ulster

Skills required

Effective communication skills, both written and oral, are extremely important, as is the ability to work well as part of a team. Good teachers will take the initiative in the classroom but also allow the pupils enough freedom to further develop their own personality and abilities; they will work closely with other teachers, parents and other educational professionals.

Creativity in presenting ideas as well as time management both inside and outside the classroom is important. Enthusiasm, patience, a good sense of humour and a genuine interest in children will also be of benefit.

Further information

Irish National Teachers’ Organisation
The Teaching Council advice on registration