8 UK CV Examples for Teaching Roles in 2026

The best way to write a CV for a teaching job is to create a tailored document that showcases your specific impact on student learning, aligns with the target school's values, and is optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). A strong teaching CV immediately highlights your qualifications, quantifies your achievements (e.g., "improved exam results by 15%"), and integrates keywords from the job description like "differentiation," "safeguarding," and "assessment for learning." This guide provides a comprehensive collection of UK CV examples for teaching positions, from Primary to Higher Education, offering practical templates and actionable advice to help you secure your next role in 2026.

We will dissect eight distinct CVs, covering roles such as Primary School Teacher, SEN Coordinator, and Secondary Head of Department. For each one, you'll find a detailed breakdown of structure, phrasing, and keyword optimisation. We'll explore how to articulate your pedagogical philosophy, quantify your successes, and integrate the essential skills that UK hiring managers are actively seeking. By following these examples, you'll learn to build a CV that truly represents your value as an educator and captures a recruiter's attention.

1. Primary School Teacher CV

A standout primary school teacher CV must vividly illustrate your ability to create a nurturing, engaging, and effective learning environment for young children. This document goes beyond listing qualifications; it showcases your grasp of child-centred pedagogy, classroom management skills, and your direct impact on pupil progress. When creating one of the most common CV examples for teaching, the key is to blend educational philosophy with hard evidence of your successes, making it easy for a headteacher to see your value.

This type of CV is crucial for anyone targeting roles from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Key Stage 2. It needs to be tailored to the specific school's ethos, whether it's a high-achieving academy or a community-focused village school. Your CV should act as a compelling narrative of your teaching journey. If you need a refresher on the foundational elements, our guide on how to write a CV for a job application provides a solid starting point.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A strong primary teacher CV balances pedagogical knowledge with quantifiable results. It demonstrates not just what you taught, but how you taught it and the positive outcomes for your pupils.

Strategic Insight: Headteachers are looking for candidates who understand the specific demands of primary education. Your CV must reflect an awareness of safeguarding, phonics schemes (like Read Write Inc.), mastery approaches in mathematics, and the importance of parent-teacher communication.

Actionable Takeaways

• Quantify Achievements: Instead of "improved reading skills," write "Increased the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading SATs from 75% to 88%."
• Highlight Specific Pedagogies: Mention your experience with specific teaching methods relevant to the school. For example, include bullet points like, "Implemented a 'Talk for Writing' approach to enhance creative writing across Key Stage 1."
• Showcase Whole-School Contribution: Detail your involvement in extracurricular clubs, curriculum development teams, or initiatives like leading the school's Eco-Committee.
• Align with Keywords: Scan the job description for key terms such as "differentiation," "assessment for learning (AfL)," "SEN provision," and specific software like 'Tapestry' or 'ClassDojo,' and integrate them into your CV.

2. Secondary School Teacher CV

A powerful secondary school teacher CV must showcase deep subject-matter expertise alongside an ability to inspire and manage adolescent learners. This document needs to prove you can navigate the complexities of exam board specifications (like AQA, OCR, Edexcel), deliver engaging lessons for GCSE and A-Level students, and contribute meaningfully to a departmental team. For these more specialised CV examples for teaching, the emphasis shifts from general pedagogy to specific, evidence-backed success in your subject area, assuring a Head of Department of your capabilities.

This CV is vital for securing roles in state schools, academies, grammars, and independent schools, each requiring a slightly different emphasis. Your CV must tell a compelling story of academic impact, demonstrating how your teaching has led to tangible student achievement. To complement your application, understanding how to write a compelling cover letter that highlights these same strengths is equally important.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A successful secondary teacher CV provides concrete proof of your ability to improve exam results and foster a love for your subject. It combines academic rigour with pastoral awareness, showing you can support students both inside and outside the classroom.

Strategic Insight: Heads of Department and Senior Leadership are looking for teachers who can deliver results. Your CV must prominently feature your experience with specific exam boards, your understanding of the current curriculum, and your strategies for raising attainment across all ability levels.

Actionable Takeaways

• Evidence Exam Success: Instead of "Taught GCSE English," state "Achieved a 9-4 pass rate of 85% in GCSE English Language, exceeding the national average by 12 percentage points."
• Showcase Subject Expertise: List key qualifications, such as your degree and A-Levels, near the top. Mention specific modules or dissertation topics if they are highly relevant to the role.
• Detail Departmental Contributions: Include your involvement in curriculum planning, resource development, or mentoring early career teachers (ECTs). For example, "Led the redesign of the Key Stage 3 History curriculum to improve cross-curricular links."
• Integrate Key Terminology: Use a JD Fit Checker to identify and incorporate terms from the job description like "data-driven instruction," "A-Level pedagogy," "formative assessment," and "UCAS statements," ensuring your CV aligns with the school's priorities.

3. Higher Education/University Lecturer CV

An academic CV for a higher education or university lecturer role is a specialised document that must balance teaching prowess with scholarly achievement. It is fundamentally different from a standard professional CV, prioritising research output, publication history, teaching philosophy, and successful grant applications. When crafting these specific CV examples for teaching at the university level, the goal is to present a comprehensive profile of your academic identity, demonstrating your value as both an educator and a researcher to a hiring committee.

This CV format is essential for anyone from a PhD graduate seeking their first lectureship to an established academic moving between institutions. The document needs careful tailoring depending on whether the university is research-intensive or teaching-focused. Your academic CV must narrate your intellectual journey and future potential. A compelling personal statement is crucial here; get insights on perfecting yours with our guide on how to write an effective personal statement.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A successful academic CV provides concrete evidence of your contributions to your field. It clearly separates and details your research, teaching, and administrative experience, allowing specialist and non-specialist reviewers to grasp your capabilities quickly.

Strategic Insight: Hiring committees look for a clear trajectory and a strong 'academic brand'. Your CV must show not just what you have done, but how it fits together to form a coherent and promising research and teaching agenda. This is your primary marketing document in academia.

Actionable Takeaways

• Prioritise Research Output: Create distinct, clearly formatted sections for publications (peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, monographs), conference presentations, and secured research funding.
• Quantify Teaching Experience: Instead of "Taught undergraduate courses," specify "Designed and delivered three modules for BSc Psychology, receiving an average student satisfaction score of 4.7/5.0."
• Showcase Grant Success: Clearly list any successful grant applications, specifying the funding body, project title, your role (e.g., Principal Investigator), and the total amount awarded.
• Align with Institutional Focus: Use a JD Fit Checker to identify the university's priorities. If they emphasise 'student experience' or 'public engagement,' ensure these keywords feature prominently in your teaching and service sections. Add links to your Google Scholar or ORCID profile for easy verification.

4. Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher CV

A powerful Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher CV must demonstrate a profound commitment to inclusive education and a specialised skill set for supporting pupils with diverse needs. This document is more than a list of qualifications; it's a testament to your ability to create adaptive, safe, and empowering learning environments. For these specific CV examples for teaching, the focus is on showcasing your expertise in differentiation, individualised support, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring a headteacher or SENCO immediately recognises your specialist value.

This CV is vital for roles in specialist provisions, mainstream schools with SEN units, or any teacher wanting to highlight their inclusive practice. It must be tailored to reflect the specific needs mentioned in the job description, such as experience with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), or Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Your CV should narrate your journey in fostering pupil progress and well-being. To ensure it passes initial screenings, understanding how to craft an ATS-friendly CV in the UK is a critical first step.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: An effective SEN teacher CV provides concrete evidence of your impact on pupils' academic, social, and personal development. It moves beyond generic statements to prove your proficiency in managing complex needs and achieving positive, measurable outcomes.

Strategic Insight: Recruiters are searching for candidates with specific training and a deep understanding of SEN frameworks like the SEND Code of Practice. Your CV must clearly communicate your expertise in creating and implementing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), working with external agencies, and using specialist communication aids or teaching methods.

Actionable Takeaways

• Lead with Specialist Qualifications: Prominently display certifications such as the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO), autism-specific training, or qualifications in areas like Makaton or Team Teach.
• Quantify Pupil Milestones: Instead of "supported pupil communication," use "Enabled a non-verbal pupil with ASC to communicate choices using a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), achieving all EHCP communication targets for the academic year."
• Detail Collaborative Efforts: Showcase your teamwork by including points like, "Collaborated weekly with speech and language therapists and occupational therapists to integrate therapeutic strategies into daily lesson plans."
• Highlight Relevant Keywords: Scan the job description for terms like "EHCP," "differentiation," "safeguarding," "positive behaviour support," and specific conditions (e.g., "ADHD," "dyslexia"). Ensure these are woven into your experience section.

5. ESL/EFL Teacher CV (English Language Teaching)

An effective ESL/EFL teacher CV must demonstrate your expertise in language acquisition pedagogy, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability to diverse learning environments. This document is your passport to roles both domestically and abroad, proving you can manage multilingual classrooms and guide non-native speakers towards fluency. When compiling one of these specialised CV examples for teaching, the aim is to clearly articulate your qualifications, such as CELTA or TEFL, alongside tangible evidence of your success in improving students' English proficiency.

This type of CV is essential for educators targeting positions in international schools, language academies, or online platforms. It needs to be meticulously tailored to highlight your specific skills in areas like exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL) and teaching different age groups or proficiency levels. To ensure your document is formatted for success, exploring our collection of education CV templates can provide a strong foundation.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A strong ESL/EFL CV showcases a unique blend of linguistic expertise and pedagogical skill. It moves beyond a simple list of jobs to tell a story of how you have successfully navigated different cultural and educational settings to deliver impactful language instruction.

Strategic Insight: Recruiters for ESL roles are looking for candidates who are not only qualified but also resilient and adaptable. Your CV must convey your ability to create inclusive learning spaces, utilise modern language-teaching technology, and cater to the specific needs of English language learners.

Actionable Takeaways

• Specify Qualifications and Proficiencies: Clearly state your certifications (e.g., "CELTA Pass B") and your own language levels (e.g., "English - Native; Spanish - B2 Proficient").
• Highlight Methodologies: Mention your experience with specific ESL teaching approaches, such as the communicative language teaching (CLT) method or task-based learning.
• Detail Exam Preparation Success: Quantify your impact on students' test results. For example: "Coached a cohort of 15 students for the IELTS academic module, with 90% achieving their target band score of 7.0 or higher."
• Showcase Cultural Adaptability: Include a bullet point about your experience with diverse student populations, such as, "Designed and delivered culturally sensitive lesson plans for learners from over 20 different nationalities."

6. Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) Teacher CV

A powerful Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) teacher CV must seamlessly bridge the gap between industry expertise and educational pedagogy. This document is less about traditional academic theory and more about demonstrating your hands-on credibility, industry relevance, and ability to prepare students for the world of work. For this niche area of CV examples for teaching, the goal is to prove you can translate real-world skills into structured, safe, and effective learning for apprentices and college students. It must inspire confidence in your technical mastery and your teaching capability.

This type of CV is essential for roles in further education colleges, apprenticeship training providers, and UTCs (University Technical Colleges). Your CV should be a testament to your dual professionalism, showcasing both your past industry achievements and your emerging or established teaching qualifications. It needs to clearly communicate your value to both students and potential employers who are looking for direct links to industry.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A successful VTE teacher CV validates your authority. It presents you not just as a teacher, but as an industry expert who has chosen to educate the next generation of professionals. It balances formal qualifications with tangible, practical experience.

Strategic Insight: Programme managers and heads of department are looking for authenticity. They need to see evidence of your recent industry experience, relevant certifications (e.g., City & Guilds, NVQs), and a deep understanding of health and safety standards alongside your teaching credentials.

Actionable Takeaways

• Create a Dual-Focus Profile: Open your CV with a professional summary that explicitly states your industry background and your teaching qualification (e.g., "A time-served NICEIC-registered Electrician with 15 years of on-site experience, now a qualified Level 5 DET lecturer...").
• List Industry Certifications Prominently: Create a dedicated section for technical qualifications, licences, and certifications (e.g., Gas Safe Register, CSCS Card, specific software accreditations) to immediately establish credibility.
• Quantify Employer Engagement: Instead of "built employer links," write "Established partnerships with 12 local engineering firms, leading to a 40% increase in apprenticeship placements."
• Translate Jargon: Use your work history to show your skills but translate industry-specific jargon into educational outcomes. For example, "Managed workshop inventory and procurement" becomes "Managed a £20k workshop budget, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations for 200+ students."

7. Early Years/Nursery Educator CV

An exceptional Early Years/Nursery Educator CV must convey your deep understanding of child development and your ability to foster a safe, stimulating, and play-based learning environment for children aged 0-5. This document is more than a list of duties; it's a testament to your skills in nurturing young minds, adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and building strong partnerships with parents. Crafting one of the most specialised CV examples for teaching in this sector involves showcasing your blend of qualifications, practical skills, and genuine passion for early childhood education.

This CV is vital for roles ranging from a nursery assistant to a room leader or nursery manager. It needs to clearly articulate your expertise in creating developmentally appropriate activities that support children's holistic growth. Your CV should serve as a powerful narrative, demonstrating your direct impact on the well-being and learning journey of the children in your care.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A compelling Early Years CV successfully communicates your expertise in both the theory and practice of early childhood education. It highlights safeguarding as a top priority and provides concrete evidence of how you apply the EYFS framework in daily practice.

Strategic Insight: Nursery managers and headteachers seek practitioners who are not just caring but also highly knowledgeable about developmental milestones, observation, and assessment. Your CV must demonstrate proficiency in creating a nurturing environment that is also structured, educational, and fully compliant with regulatory standards.

Actionable Takeaways

• Centre on the EYFS Framework: Instead of "planned activities," specify "Designed and implemented activities aligned with the seven areas of learning in the EYFS framework, focusing on Communication and Language development through sensory play."
• Highlight Safeguarding and Safety: Prominently list essential certifications like Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene, and advanced Safeguarding/Child Protection training.
• Showcase Parent Partnerships: Detail your experience in building relationships. For example, "Maintained daily communication with parents via the 'Famly' app, providing detailed updates on children's progress and well-being."
• Demonstrate Inclusive Practice: Include your experience with supporting children with special educational needs (SEN) or English as an additional language (EAL), such as, "Adapted activities using Makaton signing to support a non-verbal child, leading to improved engagement."

8. Online/Distance Learning Educator CV

A successful online educator CV must demonstrate your expertise in creating dynamic, inclusive, and effective virtual learning experiences. This document moves beyond traditional teaching metrics to highlight your proficiency with digital pedagogy, virtual classroom management, and strategies for engaging learners in a remote setting. For this modern type of CV examples for teaching, the goal is to prove you can foster student connection and drive academic progress through a screen, assuring a hiring manager of your digital fluency.

This CV is essential for roles in hybrid schools, fully remote academies, online tutoring companies, or corporate training. It needs to showcase not just your teaching ability but also your technical skills and adaptability. For online and distance learning educators, showcasing proficiency with the latest educational technology tools for teachers is vital for demonstrating your capability to deliver high-quality instruction in a digital environment.

Strategic Breakdown and Key Tactics

Why it works: A powerful online educator CV merges pedagogical skill with technical prowess. It provides concrete evidence of your ability to manage a virtual classroom, use digital tools effectively, and measure student engagement and success in a non-traditional format.

Strategic Insight: Recruiters for remote roles look for educators who are self-starters, excellent communicators, and adept at using technology to solve learning challenges. Your CV must showcase your experience with specific learning management systems (LMS), interactive platforms, and data-informed instruction to meet the unique demands of online education.

Actionable Takeaways

• List Technical Proficiencies: Create a dedicated "Digital Skills" or "EdTech Proficiency" section listing platforms like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Moodle, Zoom, and interactive tools like Nearpod or Kahoot!.
• Quantify Remote Success: Instead of "taught online classes," use metrics like, "Achieved a 95% student completion rate in a fully asynchronous A-Level History course" or "Increased student engagement by 40% through the introduction of gamified weekly quizzes."
• Highlight Virtual Safeguarding: Mention your understanding of data privacy and online safeguarding protocols, a critical concern for any institution offering remote learning.
• Showcase Accessibility: Include experience in designing accessible online content, such as, "Ensured all course materials were WCAG 2.1 compliant, incorporating alt text, captions, and screen reader compatibility."

8-Point Teaching CV Comparison

Final Thoughts

Throughout this comprehensive guide, we have deconstructed numerous UK CV examples for teaching professionals can use to secure their next role in 2026. From the newly qualified teacher taking their first steps into a primary school classroom to the experienced Head of Department aiming for a senior leadership position, the core principles remain the same: your CV is a strategic document, not just a historical record. It must be meticulously tailored, evidence-driven, and perfectly aligned with the specific requirements of the school and the role you are targeting.

The most effective teaching CVs go beyond simply listing responsibilities. They demonstrate impact, quantify achievements, and speak the language of the modern education sector. As we've seen, this means integrating key pedagogical terms, showcasing a deep understanding of curriculum standards, and highlighting expertise in areas like differentiation, assessment for learning, and positive behaviour management.

Key Takeaways for Crafting Your Teaching CV

Remember these critical strategies as you begin to write or refine your own document:

• Tailoring is Non-Negotiable: A generic CV will not stand out. Use the job description as your blueprint, mirroring its language and prioritising the skills and experiences the school has explicitly asked for.
• Quantify Your Impact: Don't just say you "improved student engagement." State that you "boosted student engagement by 20% through the implementation of project-based learning initiatives." Numbers provide concrete evidence of your success.
• ATS and Human Readability: Your CV must first pass through Applicant Tracking Systems. Ensure your formatting is clean and uses standard section headings. Then, ensure the content is compelling and easy for a headteacher or recruiter to scan quickly.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of listing "strong communication skills," provide a bullet point that demonstrates it, such as: "Fostered strong parent-teacher relationships through regular, proactive communication, leading to a 95% attendance rate at parent-teacher evenings."

Your Next Steps to Success

Your journey from browsing CV examples for teaching roles to accepting a job offer begins with a single, powerful document. The examples provided in this article serve as a launchpad. Your task now is to synthesise these insights and apply them to your unique professional story. Start by identifying the three most compelling achievements from your career and build your CV around that evidence.

Ultimately, a strong teaching CV is your professional ambassador. It opens the door to the interview where you can truly shine. By investing the time to create a focused, evidence-based, and highly tailored CV, you are making a crucial investment in your career progression and demonstrating your commitment to excellence from the very first interaction.

Feeling overwhelmed by the tailoring process? Let technology do the heavy lifting. The powerful tools at CV Anywhere can help you analyse job descriptions, optimise your content with the right keywords, and build a professional, ATS-friendly teaching CV in minutes. Visit CV Anywhere to see how you can create a standout application today.