Become a Chemistry Teacher

Why become a chemistry teacher?

Chemistry is a fascinating subject that underpins our world, and becoming a Chemistry teacher offers a rewarding career path. Here's why you might consider it:

Ignite a passion for science: Inspire the next generation of chemists! Witness the excitement as students grasp complex chemical concepts through your engaging lessons.

Make a lasting impact: Chemistry is all around us, from medicine to materials science. By equipping students with a strong grasp of chemistry, you'll be shaping their understanding of the world.

Get hands-on! Chemistry is a practical subject. You'll get to design engaging lab experiments that bring theory to life, fostering a love for scientific exploration in your students.

Why is teaching chemistry important?

Chemistry is a fundamental science with far-reaching applications. Here's why teaching it is crucial:

Empowering future innovators: A strong understanding of chemistry equips pupils to tackle future challenges in areas like medicine, materials science, and environmental sustainability.

Developing critical thinking: Chemistry is about problem-solving and analysis. Through practical work and enquiry-based learning, you'll nurture critical thinking skills essential for success in all walks of life.

Building a scientifically literate society: Chemistry underpins many aspects of daily life. By fostering scientific literacy, you'll empower pupils to make informed decisions about the world around them.

Promoting a culture of curiosity: A good Chemistry teacher ignites a sense of wonder about the world. You'll encourage pupils to ask questions, explore, and understand the fascinating world of chemical reactions.

How do teachers make a difference to young people's lives?

What will I be teaching?

You will teach the national curriculum for Chemistry. When teaching, you will cover themes including:

The particulate nature of matter
Atoms, elements and compounds
Pure and impure substances
Chemical reactions
Energetics
The Periodic Table

How will I learn?

Structured Weekly Plan: Follow a clear and manageable weekly schedule that combines online learning with hands-on experience in a real school setting.

Online Learning: Dedicate 20% of your time to in-depth subject knowledge and professional development modules delivered through our engaging e-learning platform. Access course materials, engaging lessons, and helpful tutorials whenever you need them.

Expert Mentorship: Receive dedicated support from a school-based mentor who will guide you through your ITT course, offering regular progress checks and helping you plan your next steps

Eligibility & Funding

What qualifications do I need to train to be a Chemistry teacher?

To train to teach Chemistry, you will need:

GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths
a bachelor’s degree in any subject
a keen interest in, and passion for, chemistry
If we think you might need to top up your Chemistry knowledge, we might ask you to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course before you start your teacher training

What funding is available to me to train to be a Chemistry teacher?

Tax-free bursaries of £28,000 or scholarships of £30,000 are available for eligible trainee chemistry teachers.

You can get a bursary or scholarship alongside a tuition fee and maintenance loan.

You may also be able to get extra funding support if you're a parent/carer or disabled.

Non-UK citizens without indefinite leave to remain in the UK are unlikely to be eligible for funding. You can find out more about fees and financial support available for non-UK citizens.

What funding is available to my employing school?

If you choose to train to teach chemistry through a Teacher Apprenticeship, a grant will be paid directly to your employing school to support paying your wages (paid according to the unqualified teacher pay scale).

Secondary specialism	Cost of training	Unqualified Teacher Pay scale	Employer grant
Chemistry	Levy-funded	£20,598	£28,000

The Application Process

What is the application process like?

You can apply directly through our website below. After an initial check, we will then contact you to arrange an interview. Once a successful interview has been completed and you have accepted a place to train to teach with BPN, we will then search for a school placement for you (if you do not already have a school that is willing to support your training).

How can I prepare for a secondary teacher training interview?

Consider why you want to teach in a secondary school and why you want to train to teach your subject
Reflect on why you've chosen to apply for either the teacher apprenticeship or fee-funded route
Identify some personal qualities or characteristics that you possess that would make you a suitable secondary teacher
Think about some examples of skills or knowledge from your education or work history that you could share at interview that demonstrate your potential to train to teach, e.g. your knowledge of your chosen subject, previous experience of working with children or young people etc
Familiarise yourself with the Secondary National Curriculum and your chosen subject's Programme of Study and use these to identify your strengths and areas for development in terms of your subject knowledge
Research lesson plans and resources that are available for teaching your chosen subject using Oak National Academy or BBC Bitesize as a starting point
Brush up on your literacy and numeracy skills so you are well-prepared for the Maths and Written Tasks
Where possible, talk to current teachers or trainees so you can find out more about the teaching profession and the role of a secondary school teacher
Research current issues in education using Schools Week or TES and think about how these might affect pupils, teachers and schools. Prepare any questions that you want to ask us about the Secondary ITT programme and/or training to teach
Think about whether there's any important information that you need to share with us that would help you to access the programme, if you are offered a place. This could include reasonable adjustments, a learning support plan, or anything else you feel you may need support with.

How do I apply to become a Chemistry teacher?

First, you will need to decide which programme best suits your needs. We have two programmes available to budding chemistry teachers, the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship and Fee-funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT).

Both programmes are school-centred in that the majority of your training will occur in school as you learn on the job. However, there are key differences when it comes to funding and salary. You can compare the two programmes looking at the respective programme structures below.