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Teacher Resume Tips

School and education ATS systems filter on QTS status, subject specialism, Ofsted standards, and safeguarding credentials. Here's how to make your resume stand out.

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Must-Have Keywords for Teachers

Teaching & Curriculum

  • • QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)
  • • National Curriculum
  • • Scheme of work / lesson planning
  • • Differentiation
  • • Assessment for Learning (AfL)
  • • GCSE / A-Level / KS3 / KS4
  • • Formative & summative assessment
  • • Progress tracking / data analysis

Compliance & Standards

  • • Ofsted inspection standards
  • • Safeguarding (Keeping Children Safe)
  • • SEND / EHCP / SEMH
  • • Prevent duty
  • • DBS (Enhanced)
  • • GDPR / data handling
  • • British Values
  • • Behaviour management

Leadership & Development

  • • Head of Department / HOD
  • • NQT / ECT mentor
  • • Form tutor / pastoral lead
  • • CPD / professional development
  • • Parent liaison
  • • School improvement plan
  • • Extracurricular activities
  • • Google Classroom / Microsoft Teams

How to Structure Your Teaching Resume

1

Professional Summary

State your QTS status, subject specialism, key stage experience, and school type (secondary, primary, special school, independent). Include a standout outcome — e.g. "raised GCSE English pass rate from 68% to 84% over two years through targeted intervention and revised assessment practice."

2

Qualifications & Registration

PGCE/BEd/QTS with awarding institution and year. Add teaching licence number if required (DfE number). Mention any additional qualifications: NPQ, SEND, or coaching certifications.

3

Experience — Results and Pupil Progress

Each role should state year group/key stage, class sizes, subjects taught, and at least one measurable pupil outcome. Reference Ofsted grade of the school where relevant.

4

Additional Responsibilities & CPD

List any form tutor, HOD, intervention lead, or extracurricular roles. Include relevant CPD and any whole-school leadership involvement — these differentiate candidates at shortlisting.

Common Teaching Resume Mistakes

  • ✗Not stating QTS or ECT status — this is the primary filter for all maintained school roles
  • ✗Omitting safeguarding and Keeping Children Safe — both are mandatory compliance filters
  • ✗Listing subjects without specifying key stage and year groups — context matters to shortlisters
  • ✗Focusing only on delivery ("taught Year 10 English") without pupil progress or attainment outcomes
  • ✗Not including SEND experience — increasingly expected across mainstream and specialist settings

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