Teacher - Secondary school - Computing
Teach young people how to develop computing skills and an understanding of how computer systems work.
About the job
What it's like
Computers and technology are a part of everyday life and the tech industry in Scotland is thriving. To be ready for the workplace, students need to develop computing skills and an understanding of how computer systems work.
As a computing teacher you’d inspire and motivate young people to learn about computers, develop basic computing skills, learn how computers and computer systems work and help them design and build programmes.
You’d teach and support young people with different abilities and prepare them for their National Qualifications and Highers in this subject. You might also work in a college or learning centre.
There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence Technologies and National Qualifications, which you’d use when planning your teaching.
What you might do:
Prepare lessons and teaching materials
Assess students’ progress and mark their work
Set homework
Manage classroom behaviour
Discuss students' progress with parents and carers
Organise study trips, social activities and sports events
Things to think about:
Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you’d need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested
As well as teaching, you’d also attend meetings and regular in-service training courses as part of your professional development. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables, and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers
Hours
Teachers work 39 weeks a year, usually from 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. You're likely to spend some hours outside of this planning lessons, marking pupils' work and taking part in training and parent evenings.
Environment
Secondary school teachers may be classroom based but from time to time may have to carry books and equipment between rooms.
Travel
You could do supply teaching where you work in different schools to cover the absences of permanent teachers.
Explore more information about this job
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- continuous improvement process
- computer science
- curriculum development
- microsoft teams
- computational thinking
- computer programming
- cross curricular instruction
- microsoft windows 10
- microsoft 365
- microsoft office 365
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- mentoring
- ethical
- time management
- developing a plan
- social conscience
- written communication
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- mediating
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Computing Science
English
Maths (Mathematics)
Applications of Mathematics
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
There are two routes into teaching computing. You can study a four-year degree that combines education with business studies and computing science (or computing science and maths) or take a one-year computing PGDE course following an undergraduate degree.
Whichever route you take, you must study at least two of these subjects to be able to apply for jobs as a computing teacher:
Software development
Database systems
Web design
Any computing area relevant to the computing curriculum in Scottish schools
You should also be able to demonstrate some experience of working with young people.
Alternative Training Options
Some courses have been developed to offer flexible routes into the teaching profession, including:
A supported induction route combines the postgraduate course and induction year training, so you are qualified in less time (University of Dundee)
Distance Learning can allow you to study part-time, usually over 18 months, with a placement in a partner local authority school (University of Aberdeen -
and
)
Secondary with a focus on STEM subjects
- PGDE (University of Dundee)
MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching programme (
)
Returning to Teaching course (
)
Combined PGDE with integrated Masters year in Secondary STEM subjects (University of Strathclyde)
While not all employers list specific qualification requirements they do ask for relevant experience, usually work based, that demonstrates a range of transferable skills.
You'll need to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.
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