EducationISCO 2341
Primary school teacher
Primary school teachers instruct students on a primary school level. They develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives for the variety of subjects they teach, including mathematics, languages, nature studies and music. They monitor the students' learning development and evaluate their knowledge and skills on the subjects taught through tests. They build their course content on the students' knowledge of previous learnings and encourage them to deepen their understanding on the subjects they are interested in. They use class resources and teaching methods to create an inspiring learning environment. Primary school teachers also contribute to school events and communicate with parents and administrative staff.
Check yourself in a minute: primary school teacher
Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
handle children's problems
use pedagogic strategies for creativity
prepare lesson content
teach primary education class content
manage student relationships
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (27)
assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.primary school proceduresprimary school proceduresThe inner workings of a primary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.handle children's problemshandle children's problemsPromote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental d...use pedagogic strategies for creativityuse pedagogic strategies for creativityCommunicate to others on devising and facilitating creative processes through the use of a range of tasks and activities appropriate to the target group.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.teach primary education class contentteach primary education class contentInstruct primary school students in the theory and practice of a variety of subjects, such as mathematics, languages, and nature studies, building the course content based on students' existing knowle...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.support the positiveness of youthssupport the positiveness of youthsHelp children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.implement care programmes for childrenimplement care programmes for childrenPerform activities with children according to their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs by using appropriate tools and equipment that facilitate interaction and learning activities.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...maintain relations with children's parentsmaintain relations with children's parentsInform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.encourage students to acknowledge their achievementsencourage students to acknowledge their achievementsStimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Optional (41) — show
workplace sanitationworkplace sanitationThe importance of a clean, sanitary workspace for example through use of hand disinfectant and sanitizer, in order to minimise infection risk between colleagues or when working with children.musical instrumentsmusical instrumentsThe different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.social developmentsocial developmentThe learning process of a child through social interaction. Among the various activities that it encompasses, social development supports children in obtaining and fortifying learning skills and havin...musical genresmusical genresDifferent musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.musical notationmusical notationThe systems used to visually represent music through the use of written symbols, including ancient or modern musical symbols.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...common children's diseasescommon children's diseasesThe symptoms, characteristics, and treatment of diseases and disorders that often affect children, such as the measles, chickenpox, asthma, the mumps, and head lice.developmental psychologydevelopmental psychologyThe study of human behaviour, performance, and psychological development from infancy to adolescence.behavioural disordersbehavioural disordersThe often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).musical theorymusical theoryThe body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.special needs educationspecial needs educationThe teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.teach arts principlesteach arts principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of arts and crafts and the fine arts, whether recreationally, as part of their general education, or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future ca...consult students on learning contentconsult students on learning contentTake students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.assess the development of youthassess the development of youthEvaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.improvise musicimprovise musicImprovise music during live performances.recognise indicators of gifted studentrecognise indicators of gifted studentObserve students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or ...bring out performers’ artistic potentialbring out performers’ artistic potentialMotivate performers to take on challenges. Encourage peer-learning. Establish an environment for experimentation using various methods, such as improvisation.escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.maintain musical instrumentsmaintain musical instrumentsCheck and maintain musical instruments.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...monitor children's physical developmentmonitor children's physical developmentRecognise and describe the development of children, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, respo...support gifted studentssupport gifted studentsAssist students showing great academic promise or with an unusually high IQ with their learning processes and challenges. Set up an individual learning plan catered to their needs.arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.select artistic materials to create artworksselect artistic materials to create artworksSelect artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected sha...create craft prototypescreate craft prototypesFabricate and prepare prototypes or models of objects to be crafted.provide after school careprovide after school careLead, supervise or help with the assistance of indoor and outdoor recreational or educational activities after school or during school holidays.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.assist children in developing personal skillsassist children in developing personal skillsEncourage and facilitate the development of children's natural curiosity and social and language abilities through creative and social activities such as storytelling, imaginative play, songs, drawing...play musical instrumentsplay musical instrumentsManipulate purpose-built or improvised instruments to produce musical sounds.teach music principlesteach music principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of music, whether recreationally, as part of their general education, or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future career in this field. Offer co...define creative componentsdefine creative componentsIdentify sources of inspiration and strong points. Identify the subject of the art production. Identify the content. Identify creative factors such as performers and music.keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.advise on lesson plansadvise on lesson plansAdvise on the ways in which lesson plans for specific lessons can be improved in order to reach education goals, engage the students and adhere to the curriculum.attend to children's basic physical needsattend to children's basic physical needsTend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.supervise craft productionsupervise craft productionFabricate or prepare patterns or templates to guide the crafting production process.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.organise creative performanceorganise creative performanceOrganise an event in which participants can express their creativity, such as putting on a dance, theatre, or talent show.develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a primary school teacher do?
Primary school teachers instruct students on a primary school level. They develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives for the variety of subjects they teach, including mathematics, languages, nature studies and music. They monitor the students' learning development and evaluate their knowledge and skills on the subjects taught through tests. They build their course content on the students' knowledge of previous learnings and encourage them to deepen their understanding on the subjects they are interested in. They use class resources and teaching methods to create an inspiring learning environment. Primary school teachers also contribute to school events and communicate with parents and administrative staff.
What skills does a primary school teacher need?
A primary school teacher needs 27 essential skills, including assessment processes, learning difficulties, primary school procedures, instructional strategies, teamwork principles.
Will AI replace primary school teacher jobs?
The AI disruption score for primary school teacher is 28/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of attendance, musical notation, disability types. Most resilient: attend to children's basic physical needs, provide after school care, play musical instruments.
AI Replacement Risk
28/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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