Teacher CV Guide

What to include in a Teacher CV

It can be a bit of a minefield knowing how to put a CV together and what to include. However, the most important thing to ensure is that it is specific rather than generic, and you should tailor it to each teaching position you are applying for. It should detail your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments, not one downloaded from a website and left unchanged, as this is unlikely to create a good impression.

As your CV is the first thing employers will see about you and your history, ensure it is well-crafted, clear, professional and relevant. Recruiters will likely have numerous applications to go through, and you will be competing with other applicants, so you want to grab their attention and stand out. Here are some things to consider when putting your CV together.

Contact information

You want to start your CV with your contact information at the very top of the document, including your name, phone number, and a professional-looking email address. Avoid using nicknames and aliases, as they can come across as unprofessional.

You do not need to add your full home address to your CV, but you can include your location, such as the town, city or county name. If relevant to the application, you can also include other information in this section, such as links to professional networking profiles, your own website, an online portfolio, etc.

Avoid including too much personal information on your CV, such as your date of birth, gender, nationality, marital status, religion, etc. It can detract from the key elements, such as your qualifications, skills and experiences, and clutter the document, making it less effective. It is best to keep your CV concise and focused on the essentials to capture the attention of recruiters.

Remember to keep your contact information up-to-date, as it allows potential employers to reach you easily. Outdated contact details might lead to missed opportunities if recruiters cannot contact you.

Professional summary

Your professional summary typically goes at the top of your CV under your contact information. It is sometimes also known as a career objective statement or personal statement, and it is a brief overview of your key skills, experiences, career goals and
attributes.

When recruiters sift through CVs, the first thing they are likely to read is the professional summary, so it is vital to stand out and ensure yours is well-written to encourage them to continue reading through the rest of your CV. A high-quality summary lays the foundation for the rest of the document and can set a professional or an unprofessional tone.

A well-crafted professional summary for a teacher’s CV should highlight your key qualifications, teaching philosophy, skills, and experience concisely and engagingly. It should also tell recruiters why you are the ideal candidate for the teaching role. Here are
some things to consider when you are crafting your statement:

• Start with a strong opening statement that captures your title, years of experience and teaching specialisations. Use action verbs to really capture the reader’s attention. For example, “Dedicated and passionate primary school teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience specialising in Key Stage 1 and 2”.
• Include relevant degrees, certifications and professional development courses, demonstrating your expertise and commitment to education. For example, “Holds a Bachelor of Education (BEd) and a PGCE in Primary Education”.
• Briefly outline your teaching philosophy and your approach to teaching and learning. You can include your methods for engaging students, fostering a positive classroom environment and supporting diverse learning needs. For example, “Committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that fosters student engagement and success”.
• Highlight any notable accomplishments, such as improved student performance or peer recognition. For example, “Proven track record of improving student performance through innovative teaching methods and differentiated instruction”.
• List essential skills that make you an effective teacher. For example, “Strong skills in classroom management, curriculum development and parent communication”.
• Mention personal qualities that contribute to your effectiveness as a teacher. For example, “Recognised for patience, creativity and adaptability in addressing the diverse needs of students.”

Combine all the elements into a clear, concise paragraph and aim to keep it no longer than five lines in length. Ensure you highlight your passion for teaching and commitment to student learning and development.

An example of a professional summary for a teacher’s CV would be as follows:

“Passionate and experienced primary school teacher with over 10 years in Key Stage 1 and Holds a BEd and PGCE in Primary Education. Committed to fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Proven track record of improving student performance through innovative teaching methods. Recognised for strong classroom management, curriculum development skills, and creativity in addressing diverse learning needs”.

Education

The education section should typically be added after your professional summary, although you may see some CVs detailing their work experience first. It is your choice which you put first.

When adding your education to your CV, you should clearly outline your academic qualifications and any relevant certifications that demonstrate your suitability for the teaching profession. It is important to list your qualifications in reverse chronological order, i.e. the most recent first, and you should include the following information:

Formal education

List your degree(s) first and then your AS/A Levels and GCSEs (or equivalent). Include the qualification title, the institution name, the dates attended or year of completion and grades. Also include any teaching-specific qualifications, such as a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), for example:

• Birmingham City University (2014-2015).
  • Primary and Early Years Education with QTS – PGCE.
• University of Birmingham (2011 – 2014).
  • BA (Hons) English, 2:1.
• South and City College Birmingham (2009-2011).
  • A-levels: English Language & Literature (A), Sociology (B), Computer Science (B).
• Bournville School (2004-2009).
  • GCSE’s: 8 A-C, including maths, English, science, IT and French.

Include any honours, awards, scholarships or distinctions received during your academic career where applicable.

Additional certifications or courses

Mention any relevant professional development courses, training or certifications, such as SEN (Special Educational Needs) training, safeguarding or other specialised areas. Give the course name, location of training and date of completion.

You can include any additional certifications or training in this section or have a separate section further down your CV. It may be worth adding them separately if you have a larger education history.

Relevant coursework (if applicable)

Highlight any coursework relevant to the teaching position you are applying for, such as student development, curriculum planning, classroom management, etc.

Work experience/employment history

Work experience is also known as employment history on some CVs. It is important to detail this on a CV for a teaching position, as it demonstrates practical teaching skills, highlights expertise, showcases accomplishments and provides potential employers with evidence of your effectiveness in the classroom. It also builds credibility by presenting a proven track record, reflecting your ongoing professional growth and commitment to education, and providing context to your qualifications and skills. Overall, it makes you a compelling candidate for teaching positions.

It is vital to concentrate on showcasing your skills, responsibilities and achievements when providing your work experience or employment history on your CV. Like the education section, it should be in reverse chronological order (most recent first), and for each position, include the following:

• Job title: Clearly state your official job title, e.g. Primary School Teacher.
• Employer/institution/organisation name: Name of the school, institution or other place you worked, e.g. Acorns Primary School.
• Location: Town, city or county, e.g. Warwickshire.
• Dates of employment: Clearly indicate the period during which you held the position (month and year), e.g. September 2016 – Present.
• Responsibilities: Highlight key duties and tasks you performed (aim for three to five bullet points and use action verbs to describe your tasks), e.g.:
  • Planned and delivered engaging Mathematics, English, and Science lessons for Year 4 students.
  • Implemented differentiated instruction to cater to diverse learning needs.
  • Managed a classroom of 30 students, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
  • Assessed student progress through regular quizzes, tests and assignments.
  • Coordinated the school’s annual Science Fair and led the after-school robotics club.

Key skills and achievements

The key skills and achievements section of your teacher CV is your chance to showcase your strengths, highlight your accomplishments and create a strong first impression. It demonstrates your competencies, sets you apart from other candidates, and provides potential employers with a comprehensive view of your capabilities. It also aligns your CV with the employer’s specific needs, thus increasing your chances of securing the role.

This section typically comes after your work experience, and it is important to include examples of hard and soft skills in your CV.

• Hard skills – are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge that are typically easy to quantify. These are often learned through education, training programs or on-the-job experience. Examples of hard skills for a teacher might include subject knowledge, lesson planning, classroom management, curriculum development, technology integration, special education, etc.
• Soft skills – are personal attributes and interpersonal skills that are often harder to measure but are crucial for building relationships, adapting to different situations and achieving success in the workplace. Soft skills for a teacher might include communication, empathy, patience, problem-solving, team collaboration, adaptability, time management, leadership, etc.

Look at the job description before starting your skill and achievement section to identify what skills they are looking for in a teacher and how your current skill set aligns. If applying for your first teaching role and have limited direct experience, focus on transferable skills, such as communication, collaboration, adaptability, problem-solving, technical, organisational, etc.

In this section, you can add your achievements but only include them if they are relevant to the role and try to quantify them where possible. We will look at showcasing your achievements later.

Some employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which pick up keywords, so using these in your CV can help demonstrate your qualifications and increase your chances of passing through the ATS filter and a successful application. Keywords that may help include “Classroom Management”, “Lesson Planning”, “Curriculum Development”, “Differentiated Instruction”, “Student Engagement”, “Assessment and Evaluation”, “Educational Technology”, “Behaviour Management”, “Parent Communication”, etc.

You can add your hobbies and interests to your CV, but it is not mandatory. If you add them, ensure they are relevant to the teaching position.

Other information

You want to focus on qualifications, experience, skills and attributes in your CV, which we have covered so far. You can also add other sections and information if you think it is relevant to the teaching role and boost your chances of getting an interview. Be careful not to make your CV too long, as recruiters may have difficulty reading it. Some other sections you may consider on your CV are as follows:

• Certifications and licenses – you can add this information to the education section or detail it separately. If you include it, add the name of the training and date, and ensure that your certifications are current. You may want to include:
  • Teaching certifications – include details about your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or other relevant teaching certifications.
  • Additional certifications – list any other relevant certifications, such as first aid, special education, safeguarding or advanced teaching methods.
• Professional development – mention any workshops, seminars or training sessions you have attended that are relevant to teaching. Also, highlight any courses or programs you have completed to further your professional development.
• Volunteer work – include any volunteer work demonstrating your commitment to education and working with children. You can add this to the work experience section if preferred. If you do include it, detail the name of the organisation, the dates you volunteered and your key duties and contributions.
• Publications and research – list articles, papers or research published related to education or your subject area. You could also mention any presentations given at conferences or workshops.
• Professional associations – include memberships in professional organisations related to education, such as the National Education Union (NEU) or the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE).
• Languages – list any additional languages spoken and proficiency levels.
• Interests and hobbies – include relevant interests and hobbies showcasing your personality and potential contributions to the school community.

You want to ensure you stand out from other applicants, so include any relevant information that will really make your CV sparkle.

References

The last section of your CV will typically be the reference section, which is crucial as it provides potential employers with credible endorsements of your skills and experiences from trusted professionals. References are a testament to your abilities, work ethic and character, reassuring recruiters about your suitability for the role.

When completing this section, you can indicate that references are available upon request if you prefer not to list them directly on your CV. However, if the application asks for details of your references, provide the names and contact information of at least two professional references who can vouch for your skills, experience and character. Ask your referees if they will provide a reference before adding them to your CV.

Strong references can enhance your credibility, differentiate you from other candidates and increase your chances of securing a teaching position. Therefore, choose referees who can provide deeper insights into your teaching style and contributions.