Creating a standout teacher CV is crucial for securing your next role in education. Whether you're a newly qualified teacher or an experienced educator, your CV needs to demonstrate your passion for teaching whilst highlighting your skills and achievements.
A well-crafted teacher CV can make the difference between securing an interview and being overlooked. This comprehensive guide will help you create a compelling CV that showcases your teaching expertise and gets you noticed by school leaders.
Your teacher CV should follow a clear structure that makes it easy for headteachers and HR staff to find the information they need. Start with your personal details and contact information, followed by a compelling personal statement. Include your teaching qualifications, relevant experience, key skills, and education history. Don't forget to mention your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Essential for teaching in most UK schools, as this is a fundamental requirement.
Consider including sections for additional certifications, safeguarding training, and any specialist skills that set you apart from other candidates.
Your personal statement is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. Instead of making a boring list of duties, make a short summary of your most impressive achievements, teaching skills, and experience. Focus on what makes you unique as an educator and how you can contribute to the school's vision and values.
Highlight your teaching philosophy, key strengths, and career aspirations. Keep it concise – typically 3-4 sentences that capture your essence as a teacher and what you hope to achieve in your next role.
You must pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure you are suitable to work with children – this is a fundamental requirement for all teaching positions. Your CV should clearly state your DBS status and any safeguarding training you've completed.
Include your teaching qualification (PGCE, BEd, or equivalent), subject specialisms, and any additional certifications such as SEN training, behaviour management courses, or leadership qualifications. NPQ (National Professional Qualification for Leadership) – Useful for teachers progressing into leadership roles.
Your CV should detail your main achievements, and how you have made a difference to students. Rather than simply listing your duties, focus on specific outcomes and improvements you've delivered.
Include metrics where possible: "Improved Year 6 SATs results by 15%" or "Successfully integrated 12 SEN pupils into mainstream classes." This quantifiable evidence demonstrates your impact as an educator.
Don't forget to mention any leadership roles, extra-curricular activities you've led, or special projects you've initiated. These showcase your commitment beyond the classroom.
Modern teaching requires a diverse skill set beyond subject knowledge. Highlight your IT skills, including familiarity with educational technology, online learning platforms, and assessment software. Mention any experience with interactive whiteboards, iPads, or specialist educational apps.
Include soft skills such as communication, patience, creativity, and adaptability. If you speak additional languages or have cultural competencies, these can be particularly valuable in diverse school environments.
If you lack experience as a teacher, consider emphasising sections such as education, courses and certificates, and additional experience. Within them, you can highlight your transferable skills or related positions you can use in your next teaching position.
Focus on your teaching placements, volunteer work with children, coaching experience, or any roles involving training or mentoring. These experiences demonstrate your ability to work with young people and your commitment to education.
Avoid generic personal statements that could apply to any teacher. Tailor your CV to each specific role and school. Don't include irrelevant work experience unless you can clearly link it to teaching skills.
Keep your CV concise – typically two pages maximum. Avoid dense blocks of text and ensure there's plenty of white space. Proofread carefully; spelling or grammar errors are particularly damaging for teacher applications.
Don't forget to include your references – ideally from recent teaching or education-related roles. Ensure you have permission from your referees and that their contact details are current.
Before submitting your teacher CV, ensure you've included all essential elements: contact details, QTS number, DBS status, teaching qualifications, relevant experience with quantified achievements, key skills, and professional references.
Check that your CV tells a coherent story about your teaching journey and demonstrates your passion for education. Most importantly, ensure it's tailored to the specific role and school you're applying to.
Remember, your CV is often your first chance to make an impression – make it count by showcasing not just what you've done, but the positive impact you've made on students' learning and development.