Schools shortlist on four things before anything else: qualified status, subject and phase fit, evidence of pupil progress, and safeguarding. This example puts all four on the first page, with achievements in place of duties. Many state schools use their own application form, so treat your CV as the master copy you fill those forms from.
Use this example: the CV builder opens with it filled in on the Green template, free to edit and preview. Downloading the CV and matching cover letter costs £4.99 once.
Example teacher CV
A fictional person, employers and figures, to show the format. Replace every detail with your own.
Hannah Whitfield
English Teacher · QTS · KS3 to KS5 · Sheffield · hannah.whitfield@example.com · 07700 900214
Personal statement
English teacher with QTS and five years' experience teaching KS3 to KS5 in a large 11-18 comprehensive. Second in department, leading the KS4 curriculum and GCSE intervention programme. Known for calm, consistent routines and for raising attainment for disadvantaged pupils. Looking for a KS5 coordinator role in a school with a strong reading culture.
Experience
Second in English Department, Castlebrook Academy (11-18, 1,400 pupils), Sheffield (Sep 2023 - Present)
Lead the KS4 English curriculum for 9 teachers and around 260 pupils a year group.
Raised the share of my Year 11 group reaching grade 4 or above from 58% to 74% in one year with weekly retrieval quizzes and targeted after-school sessions.
Ran a 10-week reading intervention for 12 Year 7 pupils with low reading ages; nine improved their reading age by at least 12 months.
Teacher of English, Castlebrook Academy, Sheffield (Sep 2021 - Aug 2023)
Taught KS3 to KS5 English, including AQA GCSE English Language and Literature and A level Literature.
Rewrote the Year 7 scheme of work with two colleagues; it is now taught to eight classes.
Cut behaviour referrals in my Year 8 tutor group by about a third over two terms with a consistent entry routine and weekly positive calls home.
Early Career Teacher (ECT) of English, Moorside School (11-16), Rotherham (Sep 2019 - Aug 2021)
Completed ECT induction, teaching five KS3 and KS4 classes, and started the KS3 debating club.
Education
PGCE Secondary English with QTS, Sheffield Hallam University, 2018 - 2019
BA (Hons) English Literature, 2:1, University of Leeds, 2015 - 2018
Training and certifications
Safeguarding and child protection (KCSIE), Castlebrook Academy, Sep 2026
Prevent duty training, Department for Education, 2026
National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT), Accredited NPQ provider, In progress
Skills
Adaptive teaching, Assessment for learning, Curriculum planning, Behaviour management, SEND and EAL support, GCSE and A level exam boards, Mentoring trainee teachers
A teacher personal statement to adapt
English teacher with QTS and five years' experience teaching KS3 to KS5 in a large 11-18 comprehensive. Second in department, leading the KS4 curriculum and GCSE intervention programme. Known for calm, consistent routines and for raising attainment for disadvantaged pupils. Looking for a KS5 coordinator role in a school with a strong reading culture.
Key skills for a teacher CV
Subject knowledge and exam specifications - Name the exam boards and courses you teach. "AQA GCSE combined science" tells a head of department far more than "science".
Adaptive teaching - Show how you plan for pupils with SEND, EAL and different starting points, using the Teachers' Standards wording.
Assessment for learning - Retrieval practice, questioning and feedback that moves pupils on, with a result if you have one.
Behaviour management - Calm, consistent routines that follow the school's policy. Give an example of a group you turned round.
Safeguarding - Current training, knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education and when to go to the DSL.
Using data - Tracking, target grades, moderation and interventions planned from what the data shows.
Communication with parents - Positive calls home, parents' evenings and handling difficult conversations.
Wider school life - Clubs, trips, form tutoring and productions all show you add more than your timetable.
What a UK teacher CV needs
QTS and induction status - In England and Wales say you hold QTS, and in England give your ECT induction status. In Scotland, give your GTCS registration (full or provisional).
Teacher reference number (TRN) - Add your TRN under your qualifications if you have one. Application forms in England usually ask for it.
Subjects, key stages and exam courses - For every post, give the age range, the key stages and the exam specifications you taught.
Safeguarding and DBS - List safeguarding training with the date you last completed it. Schools follow safer recruitment and will carry out an enhanced DBS check.
Training route and degree - Your PGCE, School Direct, SCITT or other route, then your degree on one line.
An explanation for any gaps - A short line such as "career break, caring for a family member". Safer recruitment means you will be asked anyway.
Achievement bullets to adapt
The figures are invented to show the format. Use your own.
Raised the share of my Year 11 maths group reaching grade 4 or above from 58% to 74% in one year using weekly retrieval quizzes.
Taught KS3 and KS4 science to five classes, with my Year 9 groups finishing half a grade above target on average.
Rewrote the Year 7 English scheme of work with two colleagues; it is now the department's model unit.
Planned and led a residential geography field trip for 60 Year 10 pupils, including risk assessments and parent communication.
Mentored two trainee teachers through their placements; both were recommended for QTS.
Cut behaviour referrals from my tutor group by about a third over two terms with a consistent entry routine.
Teacher CV questions
Do I need a CV if the school uses an application form?
Yes. The form asks for the same facts, so a finished CV makes it much quicker to fill in, and gives you tested examples for the supporting statement. Agencies and many independent schools still ask for a CV.
Should a teacher CV be one or two pages?
Two pages at most. Trainees and early career teachers can often fit everything on one. If you run over, cut older roles to a line and keep detail for your last two posts.
How do I write a teacher CV with no teaching experience?
Put your training placements first and write them like jobs, with key stages and achievements. If you have not trained yet, lead with time in schools, tutoring or coaching, and the subject knowledge you would bring.
Where does safeguarding training go on a teacher CV?
In its own short section or under training, with the course and the date you last completed it. Update the date each time you renew.