One Day: Life as a Primary School Teacher

Are you considering a career in Primary School education?

Teaching is a rewarding career that allows you to make a real difference to a child’s education and life. Of course, there are also some challenges that come with teaching but, if you are passionate about helping shape the minds of the next generation, it can be an extremely fulfilling and varied path. What’s exciting about working with primary-aged children is that no two days are the same.

Here we have outlined what a typical day-in-the-life looks like so you can decide if a primary school teaching career is right for you.

A Day in the Life of a Primary School Teacher

Most primary school teachers are contracted from 8.30 am until 4 pm. Schools will have different classroom schedules and responsibilities for teachers outside of teaching hours, but generally admin tasks like marking and planning are flexible. The average school day in Essex Primary Schools starts at around 8.45/8.50am, and finishes around 3.15-3.30pm.

Morning Routines for Primary School Teachers

Morning lessons start at 8.40am and most teachers will arrive at school 1 hour before the first class begins to prepare for the day ahead. This includes setting up the classroom, reviewing lesson plans and gathering materials. Teachers greet students as they arrive and then take attendance.

In the morning, lessons tend to be more mentally challenging like Maths, English and Science. These lessons tend to last until around 12pm for lunchtime, but timings can vary depending on the school. Teachers often include a mid-morning break around 11am.

Lunchtime at Primary Schools

During the longer lunch break, children eat their lunch, play outside, or take some time to relax. Teachers may be asked to be on playground or lunch duty, or they can use this time for marking, planning lessons, sending emails or to meet with colleagues for lunch in the staff room. Many teachers like to use their lunch break to get ahead with their workload.

Afternoons as a Primary School Teacher

In the afternoon, lessons tend to run from 1pm to around 3.10 - 3.30pm when children go home. The afternoon lessons may focus on subjects such as Art, PE or languages. Some schools might have an assembly, but this can be a morning activity too. Children are usually more restless in the afternoon so more energy and creativity is required to keep them engaged.

After the last lesson of the day, teachers help children gather their belongings to go home. Some teachers may have meetings with parents to discuss any concerns relating to a child’s development.

After school

Once the children go home, the work continues. After school is normally filled up with staff meetings, cleaning up the classroom and preparing for the next day. Teachers can make a start at marking the work that the children have completed that day. Marking can be done at school or at home if preferred. Teachers tend to leave school between 4-5pm to try and miss the rush hour traffic.

In addition to these daily tasks, teachers may be asked to support a variety of duties such as hosting after school clubs, seasonal events, writing risk assessment forms and attending professional development training.

Term times

Each school year is made up of 39 weeks, or 195 days, and is divided into the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Teachers get the same time off as their students to give them a well deserved break. The reality is that teachers still spend a big part of their holidays keeping on top of their responsibilities and preparing for the term ahead, particularly during the shorter term breaks.

Primary school teachers play an important role in the lives of their students providing a safe and supportive learning environment in order for children to develop strong academic and social skills early on in life.

Are you interested in a new Primary School role?

If you are looking for your next teaching position in the Essex area, take a look at our jobs board, or get in touch with our consultants today - we're here to help.