teaching cover letter examples uk

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CV and cover letter examples for teachers

If you’re struggling to write a CV or cover letter for teaching roles, here are some examples to help you stand out, whether you’re a headteacher or NQT

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You’ve heard about the school that’s just right for you. What next? What can you do with your application that will make you a certainty for the short list?

If you need some inspiration on what to include in your teaching CV and cover letter, here are our helpful guides – just remember not to copy them as exact templates.

Cover letter example:

Dear Ms Name,

As a [newly-qualified/experienced] teacher with [number] years experience in a [primary/secondary] school setting, I feel I would be well-suited for the role of [job title] at [name of school]. Please find my CV attached.

The nature of my work in education has prepared me for this position. My interest in [...] stimulated me to lead a project on [...] My role here was to […]. As part of this, I had to liaise with [...] meaning that I have developed skills in [...]. I faced some challenges along the way, such as [...] and overcame them by [...]. The impact of the project overall was [...]. This was measured by/ has been evidenced in [...].

In addition, I have successfully employed a [...] approach/ strategy when teaching and found that this led to many positive student outcomes, such as […]. A key part of my career is helping students reach their potential, which I work towards by focusing on [...] when teaching.

As shown by my experience in schools, I am enthusiastic about education and always strive to do the best for my students. I am able to take on responsibility for learning and have experience of successfully managing a class. I also have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of this role.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in future.

Yours sincerely,

CV template:

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CV and cover letter tips:

Always make sure that your CV is up to date, and relevant to the needs of the employer. In teaching, it’s not that you’re going to be one of many recruits shuffled around until you find your niche – you’re a one-off, in your own classroom, responsible for your own pupils from day one. Any CV or cover letter you send, whether speculative or for an advertised position, needs to be sympathetic to each different context.

Your cover letter, the person specification, and the job description are pieces of a complex jigsaw. Sometimes, these pieces need more context and that’s where your research comes in. Look up Ofsted reports, local news reports, school performance information. All these pieces combined make the picture on the box, and you need to take the whole thing into account. Employers know there might be no ideal match, but to get yourself on a shortlist, and be invited for interview, you need to present yourself as close a fit as you can.

If you’re an NQT or RQT (newly or recently qualified teacher), you might think that you don’t have the skills and experience to make strong applications – but this certainly isn’t the case. Schools always need new recruits, and it’s part of their role to develop you. Show them your potential by relating what you have learned from your experiences so far, where the challenges were and how you overcame them, how you’ve made a difference and what you feel you can offer on a personal as well as professional level.

More established colleagues will have more experiences to draw on, but be careful not to fall into the trap of talking about one year’s experience repeated fifteen times – you still need to show a sense of development and further potential. Having a few years’ teaching experience to call on can help your confidence levels, but remember that you’re expected to show that you had an impact, that your own initiatives or methods made changes happen and that those changes became embedded in practice. Explain a problem that you were aware of, how you intervened and what the situation is now like as a result. Be prepared to link this to the ultimate aim of improved pupil outcomes – it’s essentially how all teachers are judged.

The higher up the professional ladder you intend to go, the more guidance and feedback you need on the application you’re about to submit. Friends and contacts in similar positions to the one you’re applying for can offer insights that official descriptions can’t. Don’t stop there, though – talk to people in more senior positions. What would they be looking for if they were recruiting for a similar role? Ask for feedback on your letter, and from people who won’t just give you an easy time. Once you’ve got that feedback, trust it. Be prepared to start again, if necessary, so allow time within the process for this to happen. Dig deep into your motives, your letter needs to reflect the factors in education that really drive you. Think about what makes you smile at work and make sure you put that in.

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How to write a great covering letter

Application and interview, tes editorial.

Writing a good covering letter could make all the difference to your job application. With so many candidates to choose from, first impressions are really important, so it’s crucial to get the covering letter right. 

Education careers expert John Howson recommends beginning the letter with a powerful statement: “Job applicants need to provoke the reader’s interest,” he says. “However, what you leave out is just as important as what you put in, in order to keep the letter succinct and punchy.”

“The competitive nature of the teaching profession means first impressions are imperative,” says James Innes, managing director of The CV Centre. “Many applications may be judged solely on the strength of the covering letter.”

WATCH: What to include in your covering letter

The length of the covering letter is normally specified in the job advertisement. However, if there is no limit set, your letter shouldn’t be longer than two sides of A4 and should be easy to read. Use a standard font and break the main body into chunks so it can be skim-read.

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Get the formalities right

If your covering letter needs to be written and attached, rather than included in an online form, you need to get the formal stuff right.

Include your name and address on the right-hand side. On the left, put the date, name of recipient (if you’re unsure, telephone the school and check the spelling) and the address of the school. It’s better to be accused of being too formal rather than not formal enough, so begin with “Dear Mr/Ms…”.

Start with a strong statement

Your covering letter should begin with a strong statement outlining why you want to apply for the job and why at this particular school. For example, if the school has won a number of awards in certain areas, you could mention this. Or, if you have the skills and experience to address some of the problems the school faces, then highlight them here.

It’s important to open with something that will grab the reader’s attention. Employers probably won’t have time to read every word, so it’s important you start strong.

WATCH: What are the 'must includes' for your covering letter?

Show you know the school

Having touched on some school specifics in your opening statement, now is your chance to really go to town. Show that you’ve done your research and you genuinely think you’re a good fit for the role.

How does the school’s vision align with your own? Look at the language the school uses in the job description and try to include a few buzzwords.

Pick out some CV highlights

Don’t assume that your CV will automatically get read. Pull out some key achievements and link them to specific requirements in the job description.

As well as the career aspects, don’t forget to highlight any volunteer work or personal interests that have relevance. This is your chance to show your well-rounded credentials and elevate yourself above the other applicants.

Go out on a high

If your potential employer has got to the bottom of your covering letter, you’re in with a chance. Finish with something positive and upbeat. Let them know when you’ll be available for interview (and for work), and that you look forward to hearing from them.

Before you hit ‘send’

Make sure that you have carefully checked for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. This is a common complaint from school HR departments, yet is easy to fix. It might be useful to have the opinion of someone who is already in the job role that you are applying for, so don’t be afraid to ask a friend or colleague to read over your letter.

What Is a Teaching Cover Letter?

How to write a good teaching cover letter, example cover letter, final thoughts, how to write a teaching cover letter.

Updated October 11, 2023

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A teaching cover letter is the first impression that will decide whether or not a school will interview you.

Therefore, whether you are applying for your first job, looking to specialize, looking to shift into a new education area or advance to a leadership role, demonstrating that you match the specification in the job advert and that you are genuinely passionate is key.

A good cover letter for any position is crucial – your cover letter, before a resume, is what will grab a recruiter’s attention, highlight your specific skills and experience, and demonstrate that you are the best fit for their organization.

However, in teaching, where qualifications are standardized and therefore don’t vary very much between applicants, it is of extra importance to demonstrate your skills, experiences and fit in punchy, succinct and direct writing.

Realistically, you have around thirty seconds to capture the attention of the reader. So do your research (writing to a named individual is always more effective than a general ' to whom it may concern '), and make sure your letter highlights the specific experiences and skills which will benefit the organization you are applying to, tailoring your letter for each new application you write.

What Should a Good Teaching Cover Letter Include?

A good cover letter demonstrates that you:

Are genuinely interested in, and could contribute actively to, the school you are applying to

Have specific skills and experiences which you could contribute to the role

Are passionate about your specialism whether it is working in the early years or teaching a specific subject at high school, and can demonstrate why you think your work is important

Meet or exceed the key competencies and qualifications outlined in the job description

The quickest strategy for ensuring you make the shortlist for an interview is to use the language of the person specification or job description for your teaching position verbatim.

Doing this will also ensure your letter is tailored to the organization you are writing to.

Here are some of the key things to include:

Your Knowlege of the School

A good cover letter demonstrates you are genuinely interested in working for the school you are applying to. So, do your research.

Start with the school website and identify anything that the school prides itself on. It could be extracurricular activities and arts, great exam results, or including and communicating with families.

Even better than researching, many schools will welcome visits from prospective teachers. A visit allows you to present yourself well ahead of application, as well as to evaluate for yourself the culture of the school, the environment you will be working in, and to ask questions of current staff about the school culture.

Specific Examples of Your Work Experience

Make sure you acknowledge any specific examples in your teacher cover letter and demonstrate how your experience shows you could contribute to the school's values.

For example, in an elementary teaching cover letter, the job description could include sentences such as:

• 'Essential: three to five years of experience working with children in elementary schools'
• 'Knowledge of child development in early years'

Your sentences can echo this directly:

I have five years of experience working in elementary schools as a specialist teacher.

My knowledge of child development in early years is exemplary and evidenced by...

Your Passion and Motivation

Your passion for your specialism should also be evident in your writing. You could build on the sentences above to explain your motivation for becoming and staying in education.

For example:

I have five years of experience working in elementary schools and am driven by the belief that the impact of schooling on children is greater than any other stage of their school career.

I am fascinated by development in early years and am motivated by a desire to make a positive and lasting impact on each class I teach.

Key Specialisms

There will be key differences between:

A substitute teacher cover letter – Specialist teachers working with students with needs should be specific about their experiences. If you have worked with deaf children, your knowledge of sign language and any extra training are key competencies to highlight in your letter. If you have worked with children with autism or children for whom English is not their native language , these are experiences that will have grown very different skills. Again, a specialist teacher cover letter should evidence the willingness to learn new skills, as well as key learning experiences developed in previous roles.

An elementary teacher cover letter – This should highlight your experiences of working with specific age groups, as well as your willingness to transition to an older or younger class if that is what the job description requires (or to continue to develop and upskill as a teacher within the same age bracket if necessary).

A preschool teacher cover letter – This needs to emphasize your interest in working with young children and the experiences you have had doing so.

A high school teacher cover letter – This should explain and evidence your passion for your subject, as well as the reasons you think your subject is crucial to the curriculum. Evidence of extra-curricular support and offers will always be valuable. For example, a music teacher should always speak about bands, shows, and events they have contributed to or organized in previous roles.

With each paragraph of your teacher cover letter, be succinct and remember who is reading.

Don’t just talk about yourself, but link each experience and skill you highlight to a requirement of the job description. And of course, be proud and frame everything positively.

For example, if there is a requirement on the description which you don’t feel confident about currently, explain that this is an area in which you are hoping to develop.

First Paragraph

Begin by addressing an individual, ideally the recruitment manager at the school.

The job description will likely explain who to return the application to, and if it doesn’t, call or write to the school to ask who to address the application to.

For example,

Dear Mr. Jones, I am writing to apply for the position of [job title] currently advertised on your website.

Your first paragraph is your chance to grab their attention , so be upfront and snappy, formal but enthusiastic.

Give an overview of the experiences and skills which match you to the role and start linking them to the school straight away.

For example, if a school has lots of photos of performances on its website, mention your experience in delivering these in the first paragraph:

With over three years' experience working across all year groups in elementary schools, and a particular interest in delivering creative arts projects both in schools and in the community, I am confident that I could make an outstanding contribution to your school and its vibrant community.

Job adverts and person specifications are often generic and copy-pasted, therefore show you’ve done your research from the outset.

Second Paragraph

In your second paragraph, dive deep into your experiences but select the ones which match you to this job specifically.

This is your chance to demonstrate that your experience, as well as extra contributions to school culture, place you ahead of any other candidate for this role in particular.

Your experiences can and should include voluntary work undertaken in the school and community, but should always relate directly to the organization you are applying to.

What is it that sparked your interest in working in this school in particular? Take time to reflect on this carefully.

Begin each sentence with the point from the job description, embedded in a sentence about yourself.

For example, if an essential requirement is that you have made significant improvements to literacy at your school, your first sentence should relate to this:

I have made significant improvements to progress in literacy in my current role. When I started, most students in K-12 were making below expected progress in English. Two years later, having embedded a strategy targeting underachieving students, now over 70% of students in K-12 have met or exceeded their expected reading levels. I did this by [outline your steps] and would feel confident in raising standards in literacy quickly and strategically at [name the school you are applying to].

Address each of the essential competencies outlined in the job description. To be succinct, if you can address multiple requirements from the person specification with one experience, evidence all of these in one paragraph, or better still, sentence.

Avoid talking about all of your experiences in a general sense. Draw out times in your career where specific actions you have taken have resulted in evident improvements in your class or organization, and describe these in detail.

Third Paragraph

Your third paragraph should demonstrate how your qualification has equipped you with the skills you need for this role in particular.

Your teaching qualification will be very similar to other applicants’, regardless of whether you are a new teacher or this is your third or fourth post. So, talk about the experiences you acquired during your student teacher placements, and how these have reinforced your passion for your specialism.

If you are writing a K-12 or high school teacher cover letter, emphasize experiences from your undergraduate degree or previous professional experiences that support your enthusiasm for your subject specialism.

If you are writing a preschool or elementary school teacher cover letter, describe any important learning experiences you acquired in training, explain why you chose your training course and how this relates to the school you are applying to.

The communities you trained in will impact your suitability for a role.

For example, if you have trained in a rural school, you will need to work hard to explain how your experiences make you suitable for a role in an urban community.

If you are moving across state or cross country, research the demographics of the school you are applying to and it’s particular needs.

Your recruiter may not be aware of the demands of the schools and communities you have trained in, so link these to those described in the job description.

During my teacher training, I worked in two schools in upstate New Jersey, where the majority of students did not speak English. I would therefore feel confident in supporting students in [new State] who have moved from other countries.

Any commendations you received during your training should also be highlighted here, as well as any further professional development or study you have taken during your teaching career if this is not your first post.

Fourth Paragraph

Your fourth paragraph should dig deep into the reasons this organization appeals to you specifically and is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have done your research and have read the website and inspection reports before applying.

You can also demonstrate that you can add value to the organization by addressing any specific problems that the school is currently facing.

I feel privileged to have made an impact in a diverse community in my [name current school] by offering performing experiences to students by running annual marching band shows. I would love to contribute to the [detail any events you notice this school runs regularly] and would love to add more to this aspect of [name the school]’s extracurricular program.

Final Paragraph

This paragraph is your call to action , and an opportunity to summarise the key reason you, above any other candidate, are ideal for this position.

You should briefly summarise and reinforce the points you have highlighted in your letter so far, and let the recruiter know you are keen to be interviewed.

Keep it succinct and go out on a high.

In summary, I am passionate about my subject/specialism, and keen to move into a role where I can make an even greater impact on academic and extracurricular life in school. I would love to work at [name new school] and think I would make a great contribution not only to my classes’ attainment but also to provide further opportunities outside the classroom. I am enthusiastic, experienced, a great team player, and think I would make an excellent fit for your school as I meet all the competencies outlined in your job description. I look forward to hearing from you about my application and hope to meet you at the interview.

Step 1 . Show your passion

Through succinct writing and specific examples, make it clear that there is nothing else you want to do professionally. Schools are keen to recruit committed staff who will stay in their jobs and make significant contributions to the wider life of schools.

Step 2 . Don’t generalize or reuse letters for multiple applications

Tailor your application to each school by echoing the language of the person specification and job description directly, and mention the name of your prospective school as often as possible. Start each letter from scratch, even if you are reiterating points from previous applications. You will save time by planning each letter carefully, following a structure and rewriting each sentence.

Step 3 . Use checking tools

Spell checkers, as well as tools such as Grammarly, will help you hit the right tone with your letter. Nothing beats another pair of eyes going over a letter, so find a friend or family member who can give your letter a read before you send it. Start writing your letter well before the deadline to make sure you have time to check for any mistakes and reflect on what the school is looking for.

Dear Mr. Jones, I am writing to apply for the position of high school English Teacher currently advertised on your website. I have five years' experience of working as a specialist English teacher in high schools and am genuinely motivated by seeing students progress in their literacy and writing, which are skills that will stand them in good stead for life. I am also passionate about drama and believe I would make a great fit for Greenwood High, as your school already has such a strong performing arts offering which I would love to contribute more to. I feel confident I could make a significant, positive impact on Greenwood High students’ literacy and love of reading, as well as grades in English assessments. In my current role, I have taken the lead on English in the 9th and 10th grades. When I started at the school in 2017, fewer than 20% of our students were reading at their age level. Through careful planning and implementation, which began by assessing each student in my class individually, I raised this percentage to over 60% by the end of 2019. Moreover, I feel I fostered a genuine love of reading and curiosity around literature by allowing students to make choices over set texts and be self-directed in their learning. I believe I could help students at Greenwood High make similar or even better progress. I qualified as a teacher in 2015, and during my training, I mainly worked in schools where most students did not speak English as a native language. Making a difference in these marginalized communities was one of my main motivations in selecting my training course, which I passed with merits. Notably, I also hold an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Education, which demonstrates my commitment to using literature and language to improve young people’s lives. Greenwood High would be an excellent fit for me as not only do I feel confident in supporting students from diverse backgrounds, such as those in your catchment area, in achieving their best in English at high-school level, but I would also love to add to the already vibrant extra-curricular opportunities in drama and debate which you already offer. In my current role, I established and ran an annual Shakespeare festival, in which over 100 students took part by performing abridged versions of their favorite plays. I see that your school also has an annual drama performance, and I would love to take part in making this happen. In summary, I am an experienced and driven English teacher with a genuine passion for my subject. I have experience in working with students similar to those at Greenwood high and raising attainment both through careful planning, assessment and communication in class, but also by building great relationships with students and staff through extra-curricular activities. I would love to work at Greenwood High as, following my visit, I know it to be a positive, creative and exciting school that really supports its students in achieving their best. I am available for an interview at any time, and I look forward to hearing from you concerning this application. Kind regards, Emma Jeffrey

As it is unlikely a recruitment manager will read anything except the tag line of your resume, your teaching cover letter, no matter your specialism, will be crucial to getting onto the interview shortlist.

Every school is different, and whilst job adverts and person specifications might look similar role-to-role, go beyond these to read around the organization in detail, and address its needs and values directly in your teacher cover letter.

Be authentic, and be succinct. Your letter is not about you, but about the unique value you can bring to that organization in particular. So, keep it brief, formal and enthusiastic, addressing the needs you can meet with your real-world experiences.

Your teacher cover letter is your only chance ahead of the interview to demonstrate that you are the best fit for the job, so make it count.

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Become a Teacher• 3 Min read

20th September 2020

How To Write A Great Cover Letter For Teaching Roles

Your cover letter is often the first time a potential employer will hear about you, so it’s vital to use it to show your skills, experience and suitability for each role you are applying for. Unlike a CV, cover letters are individual to job applications – writing a separate cover letter detailing your experience for each position you apply for will ensure you have the best chance of landing that dream teaching role! If you need help with the basic layout of a CV, check out Prospects advice here.

Your cover letter should be in a standard letter format, with your contact details in the top right. Like your CV, you should use a clear and easy-to-read font. It’s fine to address your letter ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ in this circumstance unless you happen to know the name of the person you are writing to. There’s no need for any fancy formatting! Often an education recruitment agency will reformat your documents to their own format anyway when submitting your application to an employer. As you are writing directly to an individual about yourself, your cover letter should be in the first person. This gives you the opportunity to sell your skills and experience as a great match for the job role. Introduce yourself and give the basic information about which role you are looking to apply for and where you saw the job advert

Review the job description and match your skills and experience to the role you are applying for. The main body of your cover letter should include two or three examples of how your previous experience, achievements or professional accomplishments support your application for this role in particular. Pick out skills from the job description that you can match to specific examples from your own experiences to help the employer picture you in the role.

Here are a couple of examples from some recent applications to us:

“Managing the Languages Department for the last three years has helped me develop organisational skills and provided me with the confidence to work independently and take initiative.”

“I have a passion for ICT and computer science. I am extremely enthusiastic about a school such as yours focusing on technology integration in the classroom and real-world and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the success of your ongoing improvements”

In both of these examples, the applicant has taken the time to compare their real-life experience with the role that they are applying for, helping the employer to visualise them in the role!

Use the final paragraph to reiterate your interest in the position – you can also state your interest in meeting the employer in person! If you know the name of the person you are writing to, sign off with ‘Yours sincerely’, if you don’t, use ‘Yours Faithfully’

Bear in mind that employers are likely to receive more than a few applications, keep your examples short and to-the-point.

Register your details with us and one of our consultants will be in touch – we can advise you on all aspects of moving to the UK for a teaching career, from drafting a cover letter to arranging accommodation when you get here!

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Teacher cover letter example

To land the best teaching jobs, you must have an effective cover letter.

Your cover letter is a brief note which introduces your CV, to ensure it gets opened by recruiters.

In this guide, I will show you how to write the perfect teacher cover letter, by sharing some real-life cover letter examples, and walking you through the process of writing one.

It will provide you with everything you need to grab schools’ attention, and land the jobs you want.

Guide contents

• Teacher cover letter examples
• How to write a cover letter for your CV
• What to include in a teacher cover letter

Teacher cover letter example 1

Teacher cover letter example 2

These example teacher cover letters provide you with a good steer on how your cover letter should look, and the type of information you should include.

Of, course your own cover letter will be unique and depend on the content of your CV , and the jobs you are applying for.

How to write a teacher cover letter

In this section of the guide, I will provide a step-by-step breakdown of how to write your own attention grabbing teacher cover letter.

Overview of a good cover letter

The example below shows you the 7 key steps needed to write a cover letter which will effectively introduce you to recruiters, and encourage them to open up your CV.

Here is some more detailed guidance on writing your cover letter.

Write the cover letter in the body of your email/message

The purpose of your cover letter, is to build an initial rapport with the recipient, and give them some good reasons to open your teaching CV .

By writing your cover letter within the body of an email (or job website message box) you ensure that it is instantly seen when the recruiter or school hiring manager opens the message.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate document, the recruiter will be staring at blank page when they open your application… not a great first impression.

Cover letter tip:  Where possible, try to obtain a name and email address for the recruiter, so that you can email them directly – this will increase your chances of them receiving your CV and application. This will not always be achievable, but use Google and LinkedIn to try and track them down.

Write a compelling subject line

When sending your application via email, the subject line can make a huge difference.

Look at the recruiter’s inbox below… Most of the subject lines are boring and blend into the background.

If you write an appealing subject line, which relates to the role you are applying for, you stand a much better chance of being noticed.

To be noticed by a recruiter, you simply need to give them what they are looking for.

For teaching roles, create a subject line which reflects the skills and experience being asked for in the the job adverts you are responding to, like these examples.

• Newly Qualified teacher with primary curriculum expertise
• Senior secondary maths teacher with 8 years experience
• Primary teacher with KS2 knowledge in UK private schools

Employers are desperate to see these key words, so adding them to your email subject line will almost guarantee your application gets opened.

Address the recruiter/employer by name

When your cover letter is read by a recruiter or hiring manager, it allows you to start building rapport with them.

Addressing a person by name, is the best way to make a connection with them.

If you begin your cover letter with an impersonal phrase like “dear sir” then it will seem as though you are simply firing off the same cover letter to all of your applications.

Using the recruiter’s first name, shows them you’ve taken the time to learn about the job in question.

But, how do you find the contact’s name?

Often the name of the person recruiting for a role will appear on the job advert, but if not, you can also find it one of the following ways:

• Scour the employer’s website to find the most likely person to be hiring for the position
• Search LinkedIn for the company and/or department, and look through their managers or recruiters.

You won’t always be able to find a name, but always try – it can make a big impact to include one.

Write in a friendly but professional tone

Whilst a cover letter needs to make a personal connection with the reader, it also needs to be flawlessly professional.

This can be a tricky balancing act, but the best way to achieve it by using professional terminology, combined with a simple sentence structure.

You can also throw in some friendly terms like, “hope you’re well” at the beginning of the cover letter, and “look forward to hearing from you” at the end of the message.

Of course, you need to check your message for spelling and grammar errors before sending – any silly mistakes will look very unprofessional.

Highlight your most relevant skills

When a recruiter reads your cover letter, they will be looking for signs that your CV is worth opening.

If nothing in your cover letter tells them that you are a good candidate for the vacancy in question, they won’t open it – they will move on to the next application in their overflowing inbox.

So, before writing your cover letter, read the job adverts carefully and understand which of your skills the recruiter wants to see the most.

Once you know the core requirements for the job, try to work as many of them as possible into your teaching cover letter.

The more suitable you appear, the more likely it is that a recruiter or hiring teacher will be persuaded to open your CV.

Keep it brief

School hiring managers and education recruiters see literally hundreds of applications every week – so keep your cover letter short and punchy.

The days of A4 length cover letters are long gone – people simply don’t have the time to read them, due to the sheer volume of applications being made.

Keep your cover note to around 5-10 sentences long. This should give you enough space to cover all of your selling points, without becoming a tedious read.

You should also look to break up the text on the page to create a pleasant reading experience.

Sign off professionally

To maintain your professional outlook, sign off with a professional signature that contains your vital contact details.

This looks smart, and allows recruiters to contact you easily.

Include your full name, email address and phone number as a minimum.

You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile, or any other social profiles that are relevant to your work.

What to include in your teacher cover letter

Here are some common teaching attributes to include in your cover letter, but of course, yours will be unique to your situation.

Schools you’ve taught at –  Have you taught at mainstream primary schools? SEN secondary schools? Private school?

Students you teach  – Do you work with SEN pupils? solely year 6 students? gifted children?

Subject  knowledge – Are you an expert in GCSE English? mathematics? PE? KS2 curriculum?

Level of experience – Are you an NQT ? Or do you have many years of teaching experience?

Core teaching skills  – Things like classroom management, head of department experience, planning, assessments, managing parent relationships.

Results you deliver  – Have you boosted exam results? Decreased spending? Improved Ofsted reports?

A teacher cover letter for your CV

Writing your teacher cover letter can be challenging, but it’s worth dedicating some time to perfecting the art, if you want to land job interviews.

Just remember to keep it brief, write in a personable tone, and pack it with your most in-demand teaching skills.

Good luck with your job search!

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Cover letter for a teacher.

Cover letter example for a Teacher position in the UK. You can use this covering letter example after amending them as suitable.

We have two examples for you:

Teacher Cover Letter 1

Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Address Line 3 Address Line 4 Address Line 5

27th December 2021

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing to you with regards to the recent position for Teacher that I saw advertised on jobvacancies.net

I am currently working as a (insert title) at (insert company) and am keen to take the next step on the career ladder. I am a motivated, driven and enthusiastic individual and I am confident that I can bring a dynamic energy to your organisation.

When I saw the position at (insert company name) advertised, I immediately wanted to apply. My background includes a variety of roles, all of which were performed well with the scope to work my way up to a Teaching role. I feel it is time to bring my knowledge and skills to an arena where I can teach others.

I feel I can competently take on this role and work to exceed your expectations.

Please find attached my current CV, which details my experience along with my technical skills.

I believe I have the right qualities and attributes for the Teacher vacancy.

I very much look forward to hearing from you,

Yours Sincerely,

Cover Letter for a Teacher 2

Mr John Brown 222 Every Road Any Town AA1 1BB

Mrs Jane Smith ABC School All Streets Any Town YY1 1ZZ

Dear Mrs Smith

I read your advertisement for the post of Teacher with great interest and would like to apply.

You will see from my CV that I am fully qualified and have worked as a primary school teacher at STU School for the last four years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there but am now relocating and looking for a new challenge in a different area.

I believe in offering an interactive learning experience and engaging pupils in different ways to make subjects more interesting. I am passionate about making education enjoyable and fun and I feel that this passion shows in the way I teach. I enjoy good and productive relationships with pupils of all ages and have a supportive manner.

I can also bring excellent organisational and planning skills to the role of Teacher and have a team spirit mentality. I have devoted my spare time to extra-curricular activities and believe that it is any teacher’s role to promote the school within the local community.

I would be delighted to attend for interview to discuss my application further.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Supply Teacher cover letter Teaching Assistant Cover Letter

Good luck with your job search and applications. We hope that this example was useful for you and got the job already. Let us know if we can help in any other way too.

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These Teacher Cover Letter Examples Will Help You Land Your Next Role

Your guide to a killer cover letter that will get you that interview.

Whether you are sending out resumes hoping to land your first teaching job or looking to shift to a new school or district, one fact remains the same: All the best credentials, experience, and passion will go unnoticed without a strong cover letter. The main rule? Sell yourself the way a publicist would. Cover letters aren’t a time for modesty. They’re a time to highlight your accomplishments and make your passion for teaching known. Below you’ll find our tips for creating the best cover letter possible and our top teacher cover letter and CV examples.

3 top tips for crafting a teacher CV or cover letter:

Keep it short and sweet..

You’ve only got about 30 seconds to capture a hiring director’s attention, so start with what we call “the elevator pitch.” Imagine you have the time between the elevators closing on one floor and opening again on another floor to sell yourself. Instead of rehashing everything on your resume, use the space to craft a paragraph or two that will convince them you are a standout candidate and are worth moving on to the next step.

Emphasize why you’re a great match.

Read the job description and find the overlap between the skills you bring to the table with the skills they need. If the job description calls for certain qualities or uses specific language, repeat them in your cover letter! The ultimate goal for your cover letter is to say, “You’ve got a problem? I’m the ideal person to solve it.” Be professional and use concrete examples.

Individualize!

Tailor each and every cover letter to fit the specific school, district, and job for which you’re applying. Research the school and its culture. That way, you can address their expectations and also use specific examples of achievements in your history to show why you’re the right candidate for the position.

Top teacher cover letter examples:

1. first-time teacher.

This letter is friendly and enthusiastic. It uses concrete examples and experiences related to student teaching while showcasing exactly why the applicant wants to become a teacher.

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2. Another first-time teacher example

This version of a cover letter calls out the specific skills the applicant has and hopes to bring to the table.

3. Experienced elementary teacher

Not every teacher stays in their job until retirement. If you’re looking for a new position, your cover letter should clearly state your experience. This example also makes it obvious that the candidate researched the new district and discusses why she would be excited to join. The candidate also includes references at the bottom of the cover letter.

4. Another experienced elementary teacher

It doesn’t hurt to have additional examples! This teacher cover letter clearly showcases the school’s goals and addresses how this teacher specifically can help. She did her research!

5. Summer school teacher

As school lets out for summer, many teachers still need to earn an income. With competition tight, this cover letter stands out as the candidate states her qualifications as well as her ability to train other staff members.

6. Assistant teacher

With this letter, the applicant took a slightly different approach. The letter breaks down the most relevant accomplishments into bullet points. Those will jump out at the hiring manager, who will likely scan through a ton of applications.

7. Special education teacher

This letter is similar to a standard teacher cover letter, yet it also stresses the specific qualifications and experiences of a special ed teacher. For example, this candidate included how they modified the curriculum to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. In this particular cover letter example, the teacher was looking to move into a leadership role, so this serves as a template for someone looking to transition into management as well.

8. School counselor

This cover letter emphasizes the applicant’s academic achievements, especially with regard to the psychology education required for many counselor positions. It also talks about the characteristics that make this person the ideal candidate for this position.

9. School guidance counselor

We liked this cover letter because it pulls specific metrics that are not in the resume—including the number of students the candidate worked with and the funding obtained for special needs programs.

10. Library media specialist

This cover letter oozes confidence! As with any specialist position, the candidate hones in on how her specific skills and background make her qualified for this role.

11. High school English teacher

This cover letter covers a lot of ground. It points out the candidate’s strengths for teaching and assessing knowledge in the specific subject. It also presents the special techniques the candidate uses to teach students at the high school level.

12. Technology teacher

Taking a very professional approach to writing a cover letter shows that the contender is serious. This letter points out the specific skills that best prove why this candidate is a great fit for the position.

13. Music teacher

A music teacher requires knowledge of multiple instruments and a love of music and music theory. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s background and why they feel music is an important part of the education experience.

14. Drama teacher

Drama teachers often go above and beyond just teaching a class. They host auditions and rehearsals for after-school productions. This cover letter shows the candidate’s knowledge of curriculum, directing a show, and even marketing efforts!

15. Foreign language teacher

Foreign language teachers need to display their knowledge of the particular language as well as showcase how well they can immerse students in the culture. This cover letter discusses the teacher’s plans to incorporate curriculum as well as help facilitate induction of students into the German Honor Society.

16. Sports coach

This cover letter has a terrific opening line that sets the candidate apart from the get-go. It also clearly covers the candidate’s qualifications, from knowledge and experience to attitude and philosophy. This cover letter example also works well for PE teachers.

17. ESL teacher

Teaching English as a second language obviously requires a distinct skill set. This cover letter showcases key communication skills and lets the hiring director know the specific language fluency.

18. Math teacher

Touching on the highlights of their resume without rehashing it completely (who wants to read something twice?), this candidate points out their qualifications and certifications as well as their versatility in teaching different types of students.

19. Pre-K teacher

Teaching pre-K takes patience, creativity, and flexibility. This cover letter effectively highlights the candidate’s communication and problem-solving skills as well as the personal qualities that make them great at their job.

20. Business teacher

This cover letter provides excellent background about the teacher in a way that’s appropriate for business. It shares the necessary information clearly and concisely.

21. International school teacher

Working at an international school requires a certain skill set, and this letter highlights the teacher’s language skills as well as their ability to create effective lessons on relevant topics while providing students with the support they need to succeed.

Do you have more great teacher cover letter examples? Share in the comments below.

Plus, check out tips for teacher job fairs and the most common teacher interview questions., want more articles like this be sure to subscribe to our newsletters .

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