KS1 teacher

Some of the responsibilities of a KS1 teacher include:

• planning and preparing lessons: as a KS1 teacher, you prepare lessons based on the subjects, class size and teaching objectives. In Years 1 and 2, you are likely to teach all subjects covered in the curriculum. Hence, preparing lesson plans and learning objectives for all subjects is important.
• encouraging pupils’ participation: KS1 kids are usually young, and they can lose focus if you don't encourage active participation. As a KS1 teacher, you incorporate different learning techniques to promote engagement and class participation.
• preparing teaching materials: aside from planning lessons, you prepare teaching materials. That includes finding charts with pictures to help pupils identify various items from their environment. You also come up with songs and games to improve comprehension and language skills.
• marking pupils' work and recording performance: as a KS1 teacher, you record the pupils’ grades and check their performance in various subjects to help you understand their performance progress over time. Grading helps you identify the most effective methods of teaching.
• providing one-to-one support to learners: when a pupil requires additional support, you provide one-to-one tutoring support. Handling every pupil individually improves their learning outcomes since you tailor the teaching methods to match their needs.
• setting assessments and overseeing examinations: as a KS1 teacher, your role involves assessing learning performance periodically to know areas of improvement. You administer assessment tests to prove the pupils’ level of competence at any level.

As a KS1 teacher, you work in various types of schools, from state-sponsored or owned to independent or free schools. Whether you teach Year 1 or 2, you will have a classroom where you teach all subjects. However, sometimes you may cover for other teachers during staff shortages. Your job is to organise the classroom and the learning materials to create a positive learning environment. You only work outside the classroom during staff meetings or class trips. You also attend parent-teacher and staff meetings.

As a KS1 teacher, you work alongside various professionals in the education field. For instance, you work with primary teachers, cover supervisors, head teachers and teaching assistants. You also work with SEN teachers and science teachers alongside other professionals, including nurses, communication support workers and secondary teachers.

The work schedule of a KS1 teacher depends on the school curriculum. For instance, the typical class times start between 8.30 am and 9.15 am and end between 3.15 am and 4 pm. That means you work an average of 37 hours a week in school. Aside from teaching pupils, you spend time outside your normal hours to plan lessons, mark work and participate in school activities or trips. KS1 teachers also have extended holidays during summer breaks.

As a KS1 teacher, you are a primary school teacher, which means you can teach any class in the primary school curriculum. Alternatively, specialise in a specific subject and improve your expertise to become a secondary school teacher. Some KS1 teachers move into administration roles by becoming Head of the Key Stage before going for higher roles, like headteacher or school administrator.

Finding your KS1 teacher job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a KS1 teacher is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

Key Stage 1 is the two-year schooling programme in England and Wales. Year 1 and Year 2 are the first school years after the foundation stage when pupils are between five and seven years. KS1 is the first part of primary school, where pupils learn numeracy and basic reading and writing skills. At the end of the stage, pupils should be able to read reasonably well and perform basic mathematical computations.

No. Key Stage 1 happens after the nursery and reception stages. The Early Years Foundation stage is also known as the nursery and reception stage. Your job as a KS1 teacher is to build on the foundation stage experiences. You develop the reading and numeracy skills of the pupils further. Since KS1 is the introduction to primary school, you help children progress from informal to formal learning.

A Key Stage 1 teacher teaches Year 1 and 2 pupils and builds on the curriculum followed in the foundation stage. You help pupils develop basic counting and reading skills. A Key Stage 2 teacher builds on stage 1 experiences handling pupils between ages 7 and 11. That means you teach Years 3 to 6, which requires technical knowledge of various subjects recommended by the national curriculum.

In the final year of Key Stage 1, pupils take an exam to test what they have been taught over the previous years. Pupils are expected to attain a certain level of the Key Stage test to progress. The SATs in KS1 assess the pupils’ maths and English abilities. While the exams are formal, they are conducted in a relaxed way.

As a KS1 teacher, you need in-school teaching experience to guide pupils. A good KS1 teacher requires good communication skills to inspire children and help them develop an interest in the learning activities. You also need a dedicated interest in children's education and patience to guide students with learning difficulties.

Applying for a KS1 teacher job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!