| f the most important aspects in obtaining a teaching | | | | groups as the years go back. Ensure that you do not |
| position is the ability to "sell yourself" to a | | | | leave any gaps in your employment history as this |
| Headteacher. Your initial impression with a prospective | | | | will be picked up during the interview. |
| Headteacher will be through your CV. Consequently | | | | > Professional development: |
| your CV could either get you an interview or | | | | Any courses relating to teaching you have taken and |
| relegate you to the "not wanted" list. | | | | the approximate dates of these. Once again these |
| How should I lay out my CV? | | | | must be relevant to your role as a teacher. |
| There is no right or wrong way to present your CV | | | | E.g., |
| to an employer/school, what is important is that your | | | | July 2002 - Implementing Circle time in the Primary |
| CV should be clear and concise, outlining | | | | school |
| achievements in your teaching career and interests. | | | | What other areas are important to include on my |
| Your CV should focus on the requirements and | | | | CV? |
| attributes that the Headteacher wants as well as | | | | Here are some suggestions that you may want to |
| interests that are relevant to his/her school. Your CV | | | | include in your CV that will help you in your quest for |
| should be between 2 - 3 pages in length. | | | | an interview. These are extras and must be placed |
| What fields/categories should I include on my CV? | | | | after your teaching experience. |
| Again, there are no right or wrong answers but the | | | | > Awards and certificates: |
| following points will go a long way to help. Do | | | | Can be activities both in and out of school. |
| remember that your teaching experience should | | | | > Interests: |
| always be in reverse chronological order (i.e., your | | | | This will tell the Headteacher a little more about your |
| most recent post first). | | | | extra curricular interests and could be exactly what |
| > Name: | | | | the Head is looking for. |
| Make sure your name is clear and visible at the top | | | | > Voluntary experience: |
| of the front page. You can include your name at the | | | | This does not have to be teaching related but if it is, |
| top or bottom of each further page should you wish | | | | I would direct it towards the top end of your CV. |
| to. | | | | Include the names of organisations (or even schools) |
| > Health/drivers licence/identity number/mothers | | | | and dates that you were involved with them. You |
| maiden name/marital status etc: | | | | may want to include any camps or summer |
| Must not appear on the CV. | | | | programmes. However, if it is not entirely relevant to |
| > Date of birth: | | | | a teaching post , do remember to keep it brief. |
| Use "date of birth" as a heading as it is more | | | | > SEN experience: |
| appropriate than age. | | | | If you are looking to get into special needs, you may |
| > Address/phone/email: | | | | have had experience babysitting your autistic cousin |
| > Education: | | | | or tutoring children with learning difficulties. This is all |
| University qualifications only. You must include the | | | | highly relevant experience to show why you have an |
| University name and the city in which the University | | | | appreciation and interest in the special needs |
| is located. Any other certificates should be included in | | | | environment. You must remember to keep it brief. |
| a separate section towards the end of your CV in | | | | > References: |
| something like "Awards and Certificates." Once again | | | | There is no reason why you need to include this on |
| the entries must be in reverse chronological order. | | | | your CV. You may end up sending the same CV to |
| E.g., | | | | numerous employers and you may not want to give |
| 2002 PGCE Art and Design (Secondary), University of | | | | each and every potential employer these details as |
| Central England in Birmingham | | | | some could very well take the liberty of contacting |
| 2001 MA Fine Art, University of Central England in | | | | these referees prior to your authorisation. Why not |
| Birmingham | | | | simply say "References are available on request" and |
| 1999 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Coventry University | | | | if an employer asks you for them directly you can |
| > Employment: | | | | always give the details of the appropriate referees. |
| This is obviously the most crucial section of the CV; | | | | What can I do with my CV if I haven't been teaching |
| it is here where you highlight your strengths and | | | | for a while or am newly qualified? |
| experiences. You should clearly label each position | | | | > Teaching practice:If you are a newly qualified |
| with a date range. For example, to write 1999 - 2000 | | | | teacher , list the schools you have been placed in, |
| assumes you worked 1 full year, however Jan 1999 - | | | | what year levels you worked with and anything |
| July 2000 is 18 months. | | | | particular about the school that will enhance your |
| E.g., | | | | credentials. |
| January 2000 - July 2001, Great Barr School, | | | | You may want to include a teaching statement that |
| Birmingham | | | | encompasses your ideals, reasons and approach to |
| Include the name of the school and the city. Make | | | | teaching. This can also be done if you are looking for |
| sure you state the year level you were teaching, | | | | a slight change in direction (i.e., special needs, EAL, |
| subjects, any areas of responsibility, programmes | | | | support work, key stage level change, etc). It is |
| you were involved in developing, special needs in | | | | always nice to have some sort of statement that |
| your class etc. If you have been teaching for quite a | | | | tells your prospective employer about you and where |
| few years, pay more attention to the most recent | | | | your interests in teaching lie. |
| posts and simply list the schools, dates and year | | | | |