Teacher CV Structure
1. Personal Details
Name, phone, professional email, LinkedIn (optional), city. Include your DBS (UK) or Working With Children check (Australia) status if current — this saves time in the shortlisting process.
2. Professional Summary
3–4 lines. State your subject(s), phase (Primary, Secondary, FE/HE), years of experience, and what you bring. Example: "Secondary school English teacher (QTS) with 9 years of experience in state comprehensives in London and the South East. Consistently strong GCSE and A-level results — 78% of my A-level students achieved A*-B in 2024. Experienced head of department, with a track record in curriculum design and staff development. Seeking a HOD or senior teacher role."
3. Qualified Teacher Status and Registrations
A dedicated section for formal qualifications and registrations. Include: QTS (with year awarded), PGCE (institution, year, subject, phase), GTC/TRA registration number (UK), NESA/VIT/AITSL registration (Australia), DBS certificate status and date, any specialist qualifications (SENCO, SLT, Prevent, First Aid).
4. Teaching Experience (Work History)
Reverse chronological. For each post: school name, type (academy, independent, grammar, comprehensive), phase, subject(s) taught, year groups, dates. Then bullet points focused on outcomes and impact — not just duties.
Weak: "Responsible for teaching English to Year 10 and Year 11 students."
Strong examples:
- "Delivered GCSE English Language and Literature to mixed-ability Year 10 and 11 cohorts — 82% achieved Grade 4+ in 2024, up from 71% the previous year"
- "Designed and implemented a Year 7 reading intervention programme for 24 students working below expected attainment, resulting in an average of 14 months' reading age progress over one academic year"
- "Led a department of 6 English teachers, introducing a new KS3 curriculum aligned to the Ark Curriculum Plus framework that improved consistency across all sets"
- "Delivered INSET on metacognitive strategies to a staff of 65, resulting in whole-school adoption of two research-backed techniques"
5. Education
Degree (subject, institution, year, classification), PGCE (institution, year, phase/subject), A-levels if relevant. For primary teachers, note your specialism. For secondary, your degree subject is your primary credential.
6. Professional Development
Significant CPD: National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), subject associations, external training, research projects, school partnership work. This section signals professional engagement and ambition.
7. Additional Responsibilities and Extracurricular
Form tutor, pastoral lead, subject coordinator, exam officer, Duke of Edinburgh coordinator, after-school clubs, sports coaching. These demonstrate commitment beyond the timetable.
Teaching CV Tips by Sector
- UK State School: Reference Ofsted framework language, safeguarding awareness, adaptive teaching, inclusion. Show pupil premium or disadvantaged pupil progress.
- UK Independent School: Emphasise co-curricular, boarding duties (if applicable), A-level results, Oxbridge preparation, alumni outcomes.
- Australia: AITSL standards alignment, NAPLAN data reference, explicit teaching methodology, cultural responsiveness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
- International Schools (IB, British Curriculum): IB DP/MYP/PYP experience, international context awareness, EAL experience, previous overseas postings.
- FE/HE: PGCE (PCET), Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), industry links, awarding body relationships, employer partnerships.
Personal Statement Examples for Teachers
Primary school teacher with 6 years of experience across KS1 and KS2 in inner-London schools. Experienced in phonics lead responsibilities (Little Wandle scheme lead) and SEND coordination. Strong pupil outcomes — 89% of my Year 6 class achieved Expected Standard in Reading in 2024, against a school average of 74%. Seeking a Year 3/4 class teacher or phase lead role in a school committed to evidence-based practice.
History and Politics teacher at A-level and GCSE (QTS, 11 years) seeking a Head of Humanities or Assistant Head (Curriculum) role. Track record of strong outcomes — A-level History cohort averaged B+ over the past 3 years. Experienced in curriculum design, timetabling, staff appraisal and Ofsted preparation.
Cover Letter for Teaching Jobs
Most teaching applications require a cover letter or personal statement addressing the school's person specification. Address each criterion briefly and specifically — use evidence (pupil outcomes, specific programmes, measurable contributions). Generic teaching cover letters are immediately identifiable and rarely progress.