Teacher CV Example and Writing Guide
Head teachers and school recruiters read a teaching CV for fit: the age group, the subject, the curriculum and the qualification. A primary teacher with British curriculum experience and a secondary physics teacher with IB experience are applying for completely different jobs. Say clearly which one you are in your headline and summary, so the reader doesn't have to work it out from your history.
Strong teaching CVs also show what changed in the classroom because you were there. Exam results, reading levels, attendance, clubs you ran and colleagues you supported are all evidence. You don't need to inflate them. A modest, specific result, like a class moving from mostly below the expected level to mostly at it, is more believable than a page of duties.
The sections that follow cover the keywords schools search for, which qualifications matter where, and the paperwork Gulf schools need before they can issue a visa. The advice applies whether you teach in a government school or a private one, or are moving into international teaching for the first time.
12 years in digital marketing and SEO; teaches tech and AI tools on YouTube. Built ATS CV Online for job seekers in the Gulf, Pakistan and abroad. See how we check CVs.
Teacher CV summary example
Qualified primary teacher (PGCE with QTS) with 6 years of experience teaching Years 2 to 6 on the English National Curriculum. Experienced in phonics, guided reading and maths mastery, and in supporting children with EAL and SEN. Currently Year 4 lead, coordinating planning across three classes. Hoping to join a British curriculum school in the UAE from August.
Change the years, specialities and results to match your own record. A summary that could fit anyone helps no one.
Experience bullet points for a teacher CV
- Raised the share of my Year 6 class meeting the expected standard in reading from 58% to 81% in one year through daily guided reading groups.
- Planned and taught IGCSE Chemistry to 4 classes of 24 students, with 70% achieving grades A* to B in the last exam session.
- Ran a weekly phonics intervention for 10 struggling Year 1 readers, all of whom passed the phonics screening check.
- Led the school science club for 3 years, growing it from 12 to 40 members and entering 2 regional science fairs.
- Mentored 2 trainee teachers through their placements; both were judged to meet all the Teachers' Standards.
- Rewrote the Year 8 maths scheme of work around mastery, lifting end-of-term test averages by 12 points.
- Halved persistent lateness in my form group by calling parents weekly and tracking arrivals on a shared sheet.
Weak vs strong: rewriting duties as results
ATS keywords for teacher jobs
Use the ones that are true for you, in the same words the job ad uses.
- Lesson planning
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Formative assessment
- Curriculum development
- British curriculum (EYFS, KS1–KS4)
- IGCSE / Cambridge O and A Level
- IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
- Safeguarding and child protection
- SEN support
- EAL support
- Pupil progress tracking
- Parent communication
- Behaviour management
- Phonics
- Google Classroom
- Microsoft Teams for Education
Soft skills to prove with examples
- Patience
- Clear explanation
- Empathy with pupils and families
- Collaboration with colleagues
- Adaptability
Best section order
- Personal statement — Name your phase (primary or secondary), subject, curriculum and qualification in the first line.
- Qualifications — Teaching qualification first (PGCE, QTS, B.Ed), then your subject degree. Gulf schools check these closely.
- Teaching experience — School, curriculum, year groups or grades, subjects, and responsibilities such as head of year or subject lead.
- Professional development — Recent training in safeguarding, SEN, assessment or a curriculum such as IB. Keep it current and relevant.
- Skills — Classroom technology and specialist methods like phonics, mastery maths or inquiry-based learning.
- References — Schools usually want your current head teacher or principal as a referee, so be ready to name them.
Certifications and licences worth listing
- PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)
- QTS (Qualified Teacher Status, England)
- B.Ed (Bachelor of Education)
- iPGCE (international PGCE; does not award QTS)
- CELTA (Cambridge English)
- DELTA (Cambridge English)
- TEFL certificate (120 hours or more)
- IB educator workshops (Category 1, 2 or 3)
- Safeguarding / Designated Safeguarding Lead training
Common teacher CV mistakes
- Leaving out the curriculum. 'Taught Grade 5' means little to a British or IB school; write 'Grade 5, American curriculum, Common Core maths' instead.
- Filling a page with duties every teacher does. Planning lessons and marking books are assumed; use the space for results and responsibilities.
- Forgetting safeguarding. UK and international schools expect recent child protection training, and its absence can raise questions.
- Leaving gaps between school years unexplained. Schools are required to check employment history, so add a short line for career breaks.
- Presenting a TEFL course as your main qualification for a class teacher post. It suits language schools, but curriculum schools usually look for a PGCE, B.Ed or equivalent.
Applying in the Gulf, Pakistan or the UK
UAE / Gulf
Schools need your degree and teaching certificates attested before they can process a visa. For Pakistani degrees this typically means HEC, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the UAE embassy, then the UAE foreign ministry; Saudi Arabia and Qatar have their own chains. Write 'degree attested' on your CV once it's done. Dubai schools follow KHDA rules and Abu Dhabi schools follow ADEK, and a UAE teaching licence may be required.
CV format guide →UK
Leave out your photo, date of birth and religion. If you trained in England, note your QTS and teacher reference number status, and mention an enhanced DBS check if it's current or on the Update Service.
CV format guide →Pakistan
Private school chains and Cambridge schools often ask about your own O and A Level results in your subject. If you've taught Cambridge (CAIE) syllabuses, name the syllabus code or level and the results your students achieved.
CV format guide →Templates that suit a teacher CV
Classic Professional
Single-column, clean layout ideal for corporate & business roles.
TraditionalHarvard Classic
The traditional university-style CV: centered name, serif type, ruled sections.
GCCGulf / Middle East
Adds nationality, visa status and notice period expected by UAE, Saudi & Qatar employers.
Teacher CV questions
Should a teacher CV include a personal statement?
A short one, yes: three or four lines at the top on your phase, subject, curriculum and what you're looking for. Many schools also ask for a longer statement on the application form or in a cover letter, so keep the CV version brief.
How do I write a teacher CV with no teaching experience?
Lead with your teaching qualification and school placements. Describe each placement like a job: the school, year groups, subjects and one or two things you achieved. Tutoring, sports coaching and volunteering with children are worth adding too.
Do I need a PGCE to teach abroad?
Not always, but many British curriculum and IB schools prefer it, and some Gulf licensing rules require a recognised teaching qualification. A PGCE or B.Ed widens your options. A TEFL or CELTA certificate is usually enough for language schools but not for class teacher roles.
Should I include exam results on my teaching CV?
Yes, if they're from classes you taught and you can explain them. Give context: class size, the year, and how results compared with the school average or the previous cohort. Don't claim department-wide results unless you led the department.
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