Teacher CV (UK)
QTS, KCSiE safeguarding, behaviour, Ofsted context. The wording UK schools and MATs shortlist on.
Reviewed by Anthony, founder · Updated
Structure
- 01
Header. name, contact, QTS number + award year, current school + key stage.
- 02
Profile. 3-4 lines. Subject, phase, leadership focus.
- 03
Safeguarding & training. KCSiE (year), Prevent, First Aid, any DSL training.
- 04
Teaching experience. reverse chronological. School, Ofsted rating at the time, dates, key stages, subjects, responsibilities.
- 05
Education. degree, PGCE/SCITT, QTS, NPQ if applicable.
- 06
CPD & leadership. Chartered Teacher, NPQ, subject leadership, mentoring.
Wording schools scan for
Quality first teaching, adaptive teaching, scaffolding
Assessment for Learning (AfL), formative assessment
SEND, EHCP, Pupil Premium
Phonics (specifically for primary)
Behaviour for learning
KCSiE, Prevent, safeguarding
Disadvantage strategy, closing the gap
Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF)
Common mistakes
Vague impact. "Raised attainment" with no number. Use "raised GCSE Maths Grade 4+ from 62% to 71% over two years".
Out-of-date safeguarding. KCSiE updates annually. If yours reads 2022, schools will worry.
No subject specialism named. Even for primary, name the subject or phase you led.
Missing reason for leaving each role. Heads are cautious about unexplained moves. A one-line reason in the supporting letter is enough.
Role-specific guides
Tailor to a real teaching post.
Paste the job ad and person specification. Sausage Dog rewrites your CV to match the school's priorities (QTS, KCSiE, behaviour, attainment) in their language.
Frequently asked
Do I need QTS to apply for UK teaching roles?+
For most state-school teaching posts, yes. QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is the standard. Independent schools and some academies will consider unqualified or QTLS holders. Always state your QTS number and award year near the top of the CV.
How important is safeguarding on a teacher CV?+
It's non-negotiable. Reference current Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) training with the year. Mention Prevent training. Schools won't shortlist anyone whose safeguarding wording looks weak or out of date.
Should I include an Ofsted rating in my CV?+
Yes. For each school you taught at, include the Ofsted rating at the time you were there. It gives the reader instant context. Don't inflate by claiming an "Outstanding" school if you left when it was "Good".
What about behaviour management?+
Critical. Heads scan for evidence you can hold a difficult class. Use specifics: "behaviour for learning lead across KS3 maths", "reduced incident logs by 30% in Year 9". Avoid vague platitudes like "strong classroom presence".
How long should a UK teacher CV be?+
Two pages. The supporting letter carries your teaching philosophy and STAR examples. The CV stays factual: schools, key stages, subjects, ratings, leadership responsibilities.