Put subject, age range and credentials up front
State the subjects and year groups or grade levels you are qualified to teach, plus your teaching qualification, license or registration where relevant. Schools shortlist quickly; burying credentials under a long personal statement slows that process.
Order experience by relevance to the vacancy. Recent classroom roles usually come first; tutoring, cover work, teaching assistant posts and student teaching can support early-career applications when labeled accurately. Include curriculum frameworks or exam boards you know when they match the school’s context.
Evidence learning, behavior and wider contribution
Write bullets that show planning, differentiation, assessment and classroom climate. Where appropriate, mention improvements in engagement, homework completion, intervention outcomes or parental communication—always without identifying individual pupils.
Schools also value wider contribution: clubs, trips, mentoring, safeguarding training and collaboration with colleagues. Describe your role precisely so a lunchtime club you ran is distinct from a whole-school initiative you supported. Soft skills land better when tied to actions in the classroom or staff team.
Tailor to the school and keep the PDF clear
Read the person specification and mirror its priorities with evidence from your history—SEND experience, literacy interventions, STEM enrichment or pastoral responsibility. Keep headings standard and avoid dense graphics that hide keywords from applicant tracking tools some multi-academy trusts use.
Draft your teacher CV in Make.CV, check spacing in the real-time preview and download a free PDF with no watermark. Proofread qualification titles, dates and school names before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a teacher CV be?
Many school applications work well on one to two pages. Follow the school or district instructions; prioritize recent classroom evidence over exhaustive older detail.
Should I include a teaching philosophy statement?
Only if requested or if a short paragraph clearly strengthens the application. Otherwise, show your approach through planning, assessment and pupil-support examples.
What if I am a newly qualified teacher?
Lead with placements, subject knowledge, behavior strategies you practiced and any extracurricular contribution. Be honest about employment status and ready to discuss references from mentors.