School leaders want teachers who raise attainment, manage classrooms confidently and contribute to school life. Your CV should show your qualifications, the curricula you know, and evidence of the difference you make for pupils.
Essential sections
- Profile: subject/phase, years of experience, curricula (British, IB, American, CBSE, national).
- Qualifications: teaching qualification (PGCE, B.Ed, QTS, state licence) and subject degree.
- Teaching experience: school, location, year groups, subjects and responsibilities.
- Achievements: results, interventions, extracurricular leadership.
- Safeguarding and training: child protection training, first aid, CPD.
Teacher achievement examples
- Raised the percentage of Year 11 students achieving grade 5+ in maths from 58% to 71% over two years.
- Designed a phonics intervention programme for 24 pupils; 80% met age-related expectations by year end.
- Led the school's STEM club, growing membership from 12 to 45 students and winning a regional competition.
- Introduced Google Classroom across the department, training 9 colleagues.
Teacher profile examples
PGCE-qualified secondary science teacher with placements in two comprehensive schools, teaching Years 7–11. Planned and delivered 120+ lessons and ran a lunchtime science club. Committed to practical, inquiry-based learning.
Head of English with 12 years of experience in British-curriculum schools in the UK and UAE. Lead a team of 9 teachers; improved IGCSE A*–C results from 74% to 88% over three years through curriculum redesign and targeted intervention.
Put this into practice
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Structuring your teaching experience
Class Teacher (Year 5) — Riverside Primary School, Leeds | 2021 – Present
Two-form-entry primary, 30 pupils per class, 35% EAL
• Raised the proportion of pupils meeting expected standard in reading from 64% to 79%
• Maths lead for Key Stage 2; introduced a mastery approach adopted school-wide
Include context (school type, class sizes, pupil needs) so readers understand the challenge behind your results.
What else to include
- Additional responsibilities: subject lead, pastoral roles, exam officer, trips and clubs.
- Training: safeguarding, SEN, behaviour management and EdTech courses.
- Language skills — valuable for international schools and multilingual classrooms.
- Referees: schools commonly request two, including your current headteacher.
Tips for international schools
- Name the curriculum clearly — international schools hire by curriculum experience.
- Include a professional photo where it is common (Gulf, Asia).
- Mention any local licensing (e.g. teaching licence requirements in the UAE).
- Note your availability for the academic year (August/September starts).
Start with our teacher CV template and read the career change guide if you are moving into training or L&D.
Frequently asked questions
Should a teacher CV include lesson observation grades?+
If they are strong and recent, yes — briefly. Focus more on pupil outcomes.
Do international schools need a photo?+
Many do, especially in the Middle East and Asia. Follow the school's application instructions.
Related CV examples
BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.