What does this career entail?

Obviously it entails teaching: preparing and delivering lessons, and marking pupils' work.

Statistics is almost always taught as part of mathematics. GCSE mathematics contains some statistics, and all pupils have to undertake a statistics-based project as one of their coursework exercises. At A-level, the statistics content of a mathematics syllabus can be as much as 50%. Indeed, it is possible to do a full A-level in statistics. The situation is rather different in Scotland, where nearly all schools follow a different curriculum structure; but there is still some statistics to be taught.  As well as the different situation in Scotland, a few schools throughout the UK follow other curricula such as the International Baccalaureate; but in general the same remarks apply.

Many other subjects make use of statistics as one of the tools of the trade. Examples are biology, geography, psychology. Very often the statistics is taught by the subject teachers themselves, but there is an increasing tendency for schools to be concerned about the data handling aspects of statistics on a school-wide basis. Often therefore a statistics teacher will have some form of coordination role covering the use of statistics in other subjects.

General information about school curricula and examinations is available on the websites of the government regulatory authorities for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.There is also a National Curriculum online site for teachers.  More detailed information about syllabuses for GCSE and A-level examinations is provided by the separate examining boards.  The International Baccalaureate Organization maintains its own website.

Schools and colleges rarely, if ever, seek to appoint statisticians as such, though they welcome applications from statisticians for mathematics posts. Statistics when badly taught can be little more than a collection of recipes, but a statistician can convey a love of the subject and a sense of the intellectual stimulation it presents.

But teaching is only part of the job. Many teachers have some role in the management of their schools, and it should be easy to appreciate that statistical skills can often be particularly useful. In addition, most teachers have a significant pastoral role, acting as a tutor to a group of pupils. This involves getting to know the pupils as individuals, helping them with personal difficulties and helping them to achieve their best.

Further, many schools and colleges have an extensive extra-curricular programme including some or even all of sport, drama, outdoor activities, educational trips, a cadet force, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and so on. Teachers are generally expected to contribute in one or more of these areas.

It is often remarked that there are two sorts of teachers: those who teach their subject and those who teach their pupils. There is little doubt that the best teachers are those who do both. Motivating pupils to learn is immeasurably easier when there is mutual respect and understanding.