teacher application letter example uk

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Teacher Cover Letter Example

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• Cover Letter Example for a Teaching Job
• Teaching Assistant Cover Letter
• English Teacher Cover Letter
• Primary Teacher Cover Letter
• Physical Education Teacher Cover Letter

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Stepping into the world of education and wishing to mould young minds? Your initial approach to this goal starts with drafting a compelling application letter for teacher positions. This letter is your first impression, your introduction, and your pitch all rolled into one. Crafting the perfect application letter for teacher roles might seem like a daunting task, especially if you're new to the job application process, but fret not! This guide is here to walk you through, with examples, insights, and helpful hints to make you shine.

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Cover Letter for a Teaching Job

The teaching job is more than just imparting knowledge; it's about inspiring the next generation, and your application letter should reflect this. What you need to keep in mind is that your cover letter will come together with your teacher's CV . Creating a nice-looking CV will add more value to your teacher's cover letter and boost your job application.

Have a look at our basic cover letter for a teaching job to get an idea of what yours should look like. Remember: personalising your cover letter is a must! Don’t use copy-paste text from other examples.

If you're diving into the world of education, starting as a teaching assistant is a commendable step. In your teaching assistant cover letter:

Showcase Collaborative Skills: Emphasise your ability to work with teachers, understanding their lesson plans and aiding in its delivery.

Highlight Patience & Support: Illustrate your knack for supporting students who may need extra help, showcasing your patience and understanding.

Mention Relevant Coursework: If you've undergone any training or courses relevant to education, even if they were brief, ensure they find a spot in your letter.

Are you a teacher-to-be and your work experience doesn’t include teaching jobs? That shouldn’t worry you! You can browse a teaching assistant CV with no experience , and match it with your no-experience teaching assistant cover letter!

Application Letter For An English Teacher

When crafting a cover letter for an English teacher role, there's an added pressure. After all, English teachers are expected to be proficient in the language and its intricacies.

Spotlight on Language Mastery: Highlight your mastery of English, not just in terms of grammar, but in literary appreciation, composition skills, and more.

Include Literary Passion: Share your favourite authors, genres, or literary periods, showing your depth and breadth in the subject.

Teaching Methods: Detail your unique approach to teaching English. Perhaps you use innovative tools or engaging classroom activities. Make sure to mention them.

Cover Letter For a Primary Teacher

A cover letter for a primary teacher has its unique elements. Primary teaching isn’t just about subjects; it's about laying foundational stones.

Emphasise Holistic Development: Talk about your understanding of the comprehensive growth of a child—cognitive, emotional, and social.

Engaging Teaching Methods: Whether it's using props, storytelling, or art, primary students learn best when engaged. Share your innovative methods.

Classroom Management: With young children, classroom management is key. Offer insights into how you ensure a structured yet fun environment.

After sending your teacher's cover letter, consider preparing for possible teacher interview questions . You never know when the employer will react to your job application, and you don’t want to be caught off guard!

Cover Letter For a Physical Education Teacher

Physical education is about physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline. Your cover letter for a physical education teacher role should encompass:

Sports & Fitness Passion: Share your personal journey in sports or fitness. You may have played a sport or have a fitness regimen you're passionate about.

Teamwork Over Winning: Emphasise the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship over mere winning.

Safety & Wellbeing: Detail how you ensure student safety during physical activities while pushing their limits.

To round it off, always remember that teaching is both an art and a science. And while guides like these offer a structured approach, your unique voice and passion are what will truly make your application stand out. So, as you embark on this fulfilling journey, know that every cover letter for a teaching job you draft is a step closer to making a difference in countless lives.

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Teacher cover letter example

Teachers motivate and inspire, and this should come across in your teacher cover letter. A great teacher can turn someone with little interest in learning to become a major success in life. Such is the power they hold. A teacher is someone who carries a wealth of knowledge, sometimes on one specific subject or they may have expertise in a range of topics. 

If you want to find out what makes a great teacher, you may want to take a leaf out of the book of Peter Tabichi, who recently won the Global Teacher Prize 2019 . Peter dedicates his life to help others and even gives away 80% of his salary to projects in his local community. Peter has changed many lives for the better, throughout his career. A great teacher can make a huge impact and is an asset to any school.

As a teacher looking for your next career move, you must put your passion across for teaching, as well as your ability to motivate and inspire others. Unlike the CV, you have a bit more freedom with your cover letter, and although it should be brief, it is important to get the key points across. What can you say that will make an impact in a very brief 300 words?

In the guide, together with our teacher cover letter examples that follow, you can expect to learn the following:

• The best cover letter format to use, and the key paragraphs to put in your cover letter (header, greeting, introduction, body of the cover letter, and the conclusion)
• How to make sure each paragraph of your cover letter is effective and correctly portrays your expertise, skills, and abilities.
• How to plan the writing of your cover letter.
• How to ensure you don’t make any mistakes on your cover letter

Teacher applications are on the rise over 2019, but down from unprecedented numbers in 2020 when there were 58,000 more than in the previous year due to unemployment concerns during Covid, so if you are applying for a teaching job, you want to ensure you stand out from the other applications. Have a read through our guide, and if you need further information, we have a library of cover letter examples you can utilise at your leisure.

Best format for a teacher cover letter

Before you get down to business and start writing your cover letter, it is important to decide on your structure and format. If you have a clear format to follow, it will make it so much easier to write your teaching cover letter and to ensure that you cover all the key points.

These are the main elements you should have in your cover letter:

• The header (including contact details)
• The greeting (how you address the recipient)
• The introduction (leading the recipient into your story
• The main part of the cover letter (body of the letter)
• The conclusion with a call to action

You can take a look at the comprehensive cover letter guide which will provide you with more help and advice on writing your cover letter and ensuring you get the most out of each paragraph.

The teacher cover letter example is a useful springboard to start with to help you build your application.

Dear Principal Wilson,

In a subject where forces and momentum are key to some of the greatest scientific discoveries, I hope to bring a new sense of wonder to the scientific minds of tomorrow. Two decades of seeing 500+ science students graduate from Ivy League universities informs the teaching force that I would bring to Jepperson High School.

As the subject lead, I facilitated the creation of learning materials and improved graduation rates by 15% across the district over a four-year period. In my school, graduation rates averaged 99%. Innovation in the classroom leads to curious minds wondering what might come next.

I have been active in creating online lessons for my students and believe that blended learning is the future of education. When someone is still curious when they get home, they need the option of further study materials. In such a way, we can still be there as virtual educators for them. Brains click into gear when they have the opportunity to process information in the comfort and peace of home.

The Jepperson HS values are close to my heart. It was actually one of your current faculty who suggested that I apply for the role. I look forward to the chance to meet your staff and students and hope that I might be able to contribute to success. In the school experiment, every curious mind matters.

Yours sincerely,

Sophie Wright

Cover letter header

Every cover letter should have a cover letter header. Take a look at our cover letter examples to find out how to write this. Your header will contain key information on how the hiring manager should reach you, including phone and email. Make sure you use the contact details that you check daily so that you don’t miss a call or email. If you never look at your emails, don’t list this as they will expect you to be checking – and may think you’re not interested when you don’t reply!

The header should contain your town of residence, but not your full home address. That can come at the offer stage. Also, don't waste space by including the inside address of the employer. This is an outdated convention - make the most of the page for your career story.

Recheck your header details before submitting

We all know our details off the top of our heads, right? It can be extremely easy to make a mistake with something you’re so used to writing. When you proofread your cover letter after completion, don’t forget to check your details. Make sure the digits are correct on your telephone number and that there are no spelling errors in your email address. The last thing you want is to miss out on a great opportunity because of a silly mistake on your cover letter. If your email bounces, for instance, the hiring manager is not going to spend time trying to figure out what went wrong. They will move onto the next candidate if they can’t reach you elsewhere.

The goal of your cover letter header: There is nothing complicated to be achieved with your cover letter header. You simply want to inform the reader of your contact details and how best to reach you.

Cover letter greeting

Teachers are very familiar with the formal greeting of ‘Good morning Miss/Sir’, especially primary school teachers. There is one reason for using this greeting, and that is to show respect to the teacher, something which is vital for learning. The same applies when you write your cover letter. You should never write an informal greeting, such as ‘hi or hello’, like you would on a less formal means of communication, such as an email. If the job is advertised with someone’s contact details, you should address the cover letter to them. For example, ‘Dear Mr. Jenkins.’ Make sure the spelling is correct too.

If you are unable to find the specific details of the recipient, you can just put ‘Dear Recruitment Team’ or ‘Dear Hiring Manager.’ As you are working in a professional institution, it is even more important to be formal in your greeting.

The goal of the cover letter greeting: Start on the right foot with a good strong greeting that is personable to the person who will be reading it.

For more inspiration, check out our related cover letter examples:

• PhD cover letter example
• Internship cover letter sample
• Short cover letter sample
• Graduate cover letter example
• Research assistant cover letter sample
• Speculative cover letter example

Cover letter introduction

Start the cover letter strong with an introduction to what makes you a great candidate for the job. You only have a few sentences to grab the reader’s attention, so make them count. Think about it from the hiring manager’s perspective. What would they expect from candidates and how can you show that you are going to be worth taking to interview? Inspire them as quickly as possible with your introduction. See how to do this in our teacher cover letter sample below.

The goal of the cover letter intro: Quickly tell the hiring manager why you are the right person for the job, base it on the job description and what is important to them.

As you can see, this makes a strong impact in just two sentences. It tells the reader that this person can turn results around and that they are an individual who likes to challenge themselves.

Cover letter middle part (body)

You can finally transition to the main part of the teacher cover letter, which is the body of it. We always suggest using quantifiable data when talking about your experience and achievements, as it makes it seem much more valuable. You can use bullet points to illustrate these, or you may wish to write in sentences; it is completely up to you. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in the body of your cover letter. It is your story, and you should tell it in your own words.

The goal of the body of your cover letter: If someone walked into your class, what would it be like? How engaged would the class be and what would the atmosphere be like?

The reader of this cover letter can instantly get a vision of what it would be like to be in this classroom. They experience the energy of the classroom and envisage a classroom with engaged students. The fact that it is also supported with quantifiable data makes it stand out even more.

How to close a teacher cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

After the main body of the cover letter, you are now ready to wrap it up with a conclusion and final sign-off. As this is where the lasting impression will be, it is a good idea to reiterate your interest in the role, and perhaps, why you are interested. If you have any golden nuggets that make you particularly unique, you may want to share them here.

Candidates sometimes go a little too far in their conclusion by saying that they ‘can’t wait for their interview’ or similar, and although this is an enthusiastic response, it makes assumptions that might not sit too well with the reader. Don’t assume that you will be invited for an interview, but by all means, let the interviewer know you are excited by the prospect, as seen in our teacher cover letter sample.

This conclusion finishes with a compliment reiterating the candidate's expertise and their excitement about the role. It is polite, while being short and to the point. 

The goal of the conclusion: Sign off by reiterating your interest and give them a thirst for hearing more about you. A final thought that is to the point but makes the reader excited to learn more.

Teacher cover letter with no experience

Writing a cover letter when you have no teaching experience is not as hard as it might seem. It is likely that you have had significant experience of classroom education during your own studies, so you already know what is involved. Show that you have the transferable skills to communicate with students, enthuse them about the subject and get the class working together. Teaching is not only about conveying information - to make the most of the class you need to be s first-class motivator.

There are plenty of jobs where such transferable skills can be learned - make sure that you make the link with what you will be doing in the classroom. Most importantly of all, share your passion for teaching. It is a vocation for life for many people, so use the cover letter to tell the hiring manager why you are making this move. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Writing psychology: how to show that you have a good work ethic in your cover letter

You must convey your work ethic in your teacher cover letter sample, which can be challenging as this is something you usually show, not something you tell people about. 

The goals you should be looking to achieve through your teacher cover letter are:

• Share your level of expertise with the reader and the types of students you are familiar with.
• Give the reader a bit of a glimpse of ‘a day in the life’ of your classroom and what they would expect if they paid you a visit
• Make sure your passion for teaching and your love for helping students to thrive are apparent.
• Share anything unique about yourself that might make you stand out from the crowd.

Teaching is as much about other tasks as it is about teaching, so the reader should be left with no doubt that you can spin a few plates at the same time, and not only that but that you thrive on the variable responsibilities.

Short is sweet

One of the worst things you can do in a cover letter is go on and on for pages. Quite honestly, the hiring manager will not bother to read it, and they will probably be so put off that they won’t bother with your CV. Short is always sweet with a teacher cover letter, and it is worth bearing in mind that the average British person only has an attention span of 14 minutes! Keep it short and to the point.

Basic mistakes in a teacher application letter (and how to avoid them)

As a teacher, you are expected to get your cover letter spot on, so make sure you don’t make any silly mistakes. These are some of the most common.

• Spelling and grammar. Of course, a teacher should not be making any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Proofread, and proofread again!
• Too lengthy. As discussed above, it is better to keep your cover letter short and to the point.
• Overly formal. Let your personality shine, don’t be too formal, but follow the structure from our CV examples.

Key takeaways

• Give the reader an insight into how you operate as a teacher and what your classes are like.
• Show that you can help a range of students to achieve good results.
• Let your personality shine through and leave the hiring manager with an urge to learn more.
• Use quantifiable examples where possible.

With Resume.io, we take the stress out of writing your cover letter. Take a look at our ready-made and researched cover letter templates and start getting to work. There are plenty of ideas here to help you make the most of your teacher cover letter.

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25 Teacher Cover Letters Examples To Help You Get Hired

Your guide to a killer cover letter that will get you that interview.

Whether you are sending out resumes hoping to land your first teaching job or looking to shift to a new school or district, one fact remains the same: All the best credentials, experience, and passion will go unnoticed without a strong cover letter. The main rule? Sell yourself the way a publicist would. Cover letters aren’t a time for modesty. They’re a time to highlight your accomplishments and make your passion for teaching known. Below you’ll find our tips for creating the best cover letter possible and our top teacher cover letter and CV examples.

3 top tips for crafting a teacher CV or cover letter:

Keep it short and sweet..

You’ve only got about 30 seconds to capture a hiring director’s attention, so start with what we call “the elevator pitch.” Imagine you have the time between the elevators closing on one floor and opening again on another floor to sell yourself. Instead of rehashing everything on your resume, use the space to craft a paragraph or two that will convince them you are a standout candidate and are worth moving on to the next step.

Emphasize why you’re a great match.

Read the job description and find the overlap between the skills you bring to the table and the skills they need. If the job description calls for certain qualities or uses specific language, repeat them in your cover letter! The ultimate goal for your cover letter is to say, “You’ve got a problem? I’m the ideal person to solve it.” Be professional and use concrete examples.

Individualize!

Tailor each and every cover letter to fit the specific school, district, and job for which you’re applying. Research the school and its culture. That way, you can address their expectations and also use specific examples of achievements in your history to show why you’re the right candidate for the position.

Top teacher cover letter examples:

1. first-time teacher.

This letter is friendly and enthusiastic. It uses concrete examples and experiences related to student teaching while showcasing exactly why the applicant wants to become a teacher.

Learn more: First-time teacher at LiveAbout

2. Another first-time teacher example

This version of a cover letter calls out the specific skills the applicant has and hopes to bring to the table.

Learn more: Another first-time teacher example at OLAS

3. Experienced elementary teacher

Not every teacher stays in their job until retirement. If you’re looking for a new position, your cover letter should clearly state your experience. This example also makes it obvious that the candidate researched the new district and discusses why she would be excited to join. The candidate also includes references at the bottom of the cover letter.

Learn more: Experienced elementary teacher at Monster

4. Another experienced elementary teacher example

It doesn’t hurt to have additional examples! This teacher cover letter clearly showcases the school’s goals and addresses how this teacher specifically can help. She did her research!

Learn more: Another experienced elementary teacher at LiveAbout

5. Summer school teacher

As school lets out for summer, many teachers still need to earn an income. With competition tight, this cover letter stands out as the candidate states her qualifications as well as her ability to train other staff members.

Learn more: Summer school teacher at Cover Letters and Resume

6. Assistant teacher

With this letter, the applicant took a slightly different approach. The letter breaks down the most relevant accomplishments into bullet points. Those will jump out at the hiring manager, who will likely scan through a ton of applications.

Learn more: Assistant teacher at LiveCareer

7. Special education teacher

This letter is similar to a standard teacher cover letter, yet it also stresses the specific qualifications and experiences of a special ed teacher. For example, this candidate included how they modified the curriculum to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. In this particular cover letter example, the teacher was looking to move into a leadership role, so this serves as a template for someone looking to transition into management as well.

Learn more: Special education teacher at JobHero

8. School guidance counselor

This cover letter emphasizes the applicant’s academic achievements, especially with regard to the psychology education required for many counselor positions. It also talks about the characteristics that make this person the ideal candidate for this position.

Learn more: School guidance counselor at Great Sample Resume

9. Another school guidance counselor example

We liked this cover letter because it pulls specific metrics that are not in the resume—including the number of students the candidate worked with and the funding obtained for special needs programs.

Learn more: School guidance counselor at Zety

10. Library media specialist

This cover letter oozes confidence! As with any specialist position, the candidate hones in on how her specific skills and background make her qualified for this role.

Learn more: Library media specialist at LiveCareer

11. High school English teacher

This cover letter covers a lot of ground. It points out the candidate’s strengths for teaching and assessing knowledge in the specific subject. It also presents the special techniques the candidate uses to teach students at the high school level.

Learn more: High school English teacher at Great Sample Resume

12. Technology teacher

Taking a very professional approach to writing a cover letter shows that the contender is serious. This letter points out the specific skills that best prove why this candidate is a great fit for the position.

Learn more: Technology teacher at LiveCareer

13. Music teacher

A music teacher requires knowledge of multiple instruments and a love of music and music theory. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s background and why they feel music is an important part of the education experience.

Learn more: Music teacher at Best Sample Resume

14. Drama teacher

Drama teachers often go above and beyond just teaching a class. They host auditions and rehearsals for after-school productions. This cover letter shows the candidate’s knowledge of curriculum, directing a show, and even marketing efforts.

Learn more: Drama teacher at Great Sample Resume

15. Foreign language teacher

Foreign language teachers need to display their knowledge of the particular language as well as showcase how well they can immerse students in the culture. This cover letter discusses the teacher’s plans to incorporate curriculum as well as help facilitate the induction of students into the German Honor Society.

Learn more: Foreign language teacher at JobHero

16. Sports coach

This cover letter has a terrific opening line that sets the candidate apart from the get-go. It also clearly covers the candidate’s qualifications, from knowledge and experience to attitude and philosophy. This cover letter example also works well for PE teachers.

Learn more: Sports coach at JobHero

17. ESL teacher

Teaching English as a second language obviously requires a distinct skill set. This cover letter showcases key communication skills and lets the hiring director know the specific language fluency.

Learn more: ESL teacher at LiveCareer

18. Math teacher

Touching on the highlights of their resume without rehashing it completely (who wants to read something twice?), this candidate points out their qualifications and certifications as well as their versatility in teaching different types of students.

Learn more: Math teacher at A+ Resumes for Teachers

19. Pre-K teacher

Teaching pre-K takes patience, creativity, and flexibility. This cover letter effectively highlights the candidate’s communication and problem-solving skills as well as the personal qualities that make them great at their job.

Learn more: Pre-K teacher at LiveCareer

20. Business teacher

This cover letter provides excellent background about the teacher in a way that’s appropriate for business. It shares the necessary information clearly and concisely.

Learn more: Business teacher at LiveCareer

21. International school teacher

Working at an international school requires a certain skill set, and this letter highlights the teacher’s language skills as well as their ability to create effective lessons on relevant topics while providing students with the support they need to succeed.

Learn more: International school teacher at LiveCareer

22. Head teacher cover letter

Serving as a head teacher involves a unique blend of leadership and innovation. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s exceptional communication and leadership skills, essential for coordinating with staff, students, and stakeholders to cultivate a thriving educational environment.

Learn more: Head teacher cover letter example at QwikResume

23. Kindergarten teacher

A kindergarten teacher plays a foundational role in a child’s educational journey, blending creativity with core educational principles. This cover letter highlights the candidate’s proficiency in developing engaging lesson plans and materials tailored to young learners, ensuring the fundamentals of various subjects are delivered in a manner that is both enjoyable and educational.

Learn more: Kindergarten teacher at Kickresume

24. Secondary teacher

Secondary teachers help shape the young minds of students as they transition into adulthood. This cover letter exemplifies the candidate’s adeptness in crafting comprehensive lesson plans and teaching materials that cater to the diverse needs of teens, ensuring that the curriculum resonates with their evolving interests and capabilities.

Learn more: Secondary teacher at Resumaker

25. Art teacher

An art teacher embodies the intersection of creativity and education, nurturing students’ artistic talents and encouraging their expressive capabilities. This cover letter highlights the candidate’s proficiency in designing stimulating lesson plans that explore a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, from traditional painting and drawing to digital art forms.

Learn more: Art teacher at Resume Genius

Do you have more great teacher cover letter examples? Share them in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most common teacher interview questions and suggestions for how to answer them., you might also like.

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Your ECT Cover Letter: Why it Matters and What to Say

If you weren’t aware, there have been a lot of changes recently to the process of becoming a teacher.

Perhaps you’ve been doing some research on the Internet and come across some older articles which used the NQT - ‘Newly Qualified Teacher’ - terminology.

Well, the Department of Education has been hard at work and revamped the whole process. 

The new Early Careers Framework (‘ECF’) has now taken over from the NQT, and the main difference is that the induction period as a trainee teacher will now be two years instead of one, and there is a defined training requirement.

Click HERE to read our full article explaining the differences between NQT and ECT

Are you ready to apply for some teaching positions?

One of the benefits of joining the Lambeth ECT pool is that you will not be required to create a cover letter with your application. 

The application to join Lambeth ECT Induction Pool is a simple two-step process.

Click HERE To Apply To Join Lambeth ECT Induction Pool

If you would like to teach in another area, you will most likely need to include a cover letter with your application. However, there is no need to worry as this post will explain exactly what is required.

What is the purpose of the ECT Cover Letter?

The ECT cover letter, sometimes called the ECT letter of application, is a short letter you will write to give more details regarding your skills and experience.

You will then attach this letter along with your resume when you apply for any teaching position.

How to create your ECT Cover Letter?

Let’s start with the length of your ECT cover letter. It should be no longer than two pages of A4 paper.

When you think about it, that’s not much to explain how wonderful you are, so you must be very clear and precise.

It goes without saying that the words you use will ultimately decide whether your application will go straight in the waste basket or the ‘interview’ pile.

Therefore, give yourself plenty of time to write your cover letter, and be prepared to write multiple drafts.

Before you get started, a word of caution, with a simple Google search, you will come across templates to create your ECT cover letter.

However, be very careful going down this route.

The last thing you want to do when applying for your dream teaching position is to create a mechanical, generic letter that looks and feels like hundreds of others.

Writing a strong ECT cover letter is not easy, which is why Lambeth came up with the idea not to require the cover letter with your application.

However, there are many positions that you might have had your eyes on for a while which will require a cover letter.

Therefore, it’s worth putting in extra effort to give you the best opportunity in the hiring process.

A one-size-fits-all cover letter won’t cut the mustard

A common mistake many recent graduates make when applying for their first few teaching positions is creating a one-size-fits-all cover letter.

Unfortunately, this will not work. Hiring managers have dealt with hundreds of applications in their careers and are therefore very familiar with reading cover letters.

Besides, templated cover letters are easy to spot, so don’t trip yourself up at the first hurdle.

You’ll need to write a specific cover letter for every school you send an application.

How to get started with your ECT cover letter

First of all, you need to do the groundwork. And that means carefully reading everything you have been given regarding the teaching position.

If possible, take photocopies of everything. This way, you’ll have a master copy and one copy you can dissect.

Get a highlighter out and highlight anything in the application pack you feel is crucial.

Focus on anything that gives you an inclination about the school’s values and approach to teaching.

In addition, highlight any parts which match your skills and experience.

Brainstorming a structure using a mind map

The next step is to brainstorm the particular parts you will include in your cover letter. And the best place to start is by analysing the essential criteria mentioned in the teaching vacancy.

This could be your teaching experience, your specific teaching style or qualifications. Write down each main point on your mind map, and then add notes to each area. 

As with anything complicated, don’t expect to finish in one sitting. It is always useful to have a go.

Then leave it for a period of time, even coming back the next day. Rereading what you have, and then editing it with a fresh pair of eyes always improves the quality of the finished article.

The structure of a high-quality ECT cover letter

The structure of a high-quality cover letter is relatively standard, and will usually include these four main points: 

1. Explain your interest in the vacancy 

As clearly as possible, and in an enthusiastic and precise manner, explain the details of your interest in the position. You can include your reasons for liking the subject, the age range of students and how this all ties in with your intended career path. 

2. Explain your qualifications and teaching experience

Here you should include your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and when you achieved it, your university qualifications and all your teaching training experience. Highlight areas of your experience which will help you stand out against most other applicants. Include a general overview and a specific example that lets them visualise you in the classroom, how you work, and how you support your pupils with teaching and learning.

3. Mention your most relevant skills 

In this part, you can include any skills especially relevant to the particular vacancy. These skills could consist of things like your ability to deal with students with special needs, your presentation skills or even your special ability to use technology in the classroom.

4. Now sell yourself

This section is where you demonstrate why you are the most suitable candidate for the position. Often, this is where most young teachers falter because they might not be confident blowing their own trumpet. Try your best to get past this nervousness if that sounds like you. Instead, use your research about the school to do your best to align your values with the school’s mission and beliefs.  Summarise how you have developed as a teacher through all your training so far, explain why teaching is important to you and why you are most suited to this vacancy and school.

A word on teaching experience or lack thereof

Many new graduates stumble when it comes to giving details about their experience. Even if this is the very first job you are applying for, you still have experience.

All you have to do is describe situations you went through in the main teaching practices you completed during your training. 

You can talk about how you approached the learning environment and how this reflected on the students’ learning opportunities, and how you may have changed your approach based on the experience you had during your training.

Another area you already have experience in is specific age groups. During your training, you taught specific ages of children.

You can mention these age groups under experience and also go into more detail if the age groups you covered match the age group of the vacancy.

Related: Teach in Lambeth

The final draft of your ECT cover letter

It goes without saying that your final draft should be flawless. Spelling and grammatical mistakes are the obvious things to check for, but also check for long, rambling sentences. It is an excellent idea to print your final draft and read it aloud.

This will help you find sentences that are unclear and unnecessarily wordy. Sometimes your sentences aren't grammatically incorrect, but they sound awkward, convoluted, or repetitive.

When you ‘hear’ your final draft, it is easier to spot problem sentences like these. It is also a good idea to record your final draft for the same reasons.

You can easily read it aloud while recording it on your phone, then play it back and try to spot other areas where you could improve the clarity.

The ‘so what' test is a final check borrowed from the world of copywriting.

Using your printed copy, go through every point where you have made a claim or written a key point and highlight them.

Then come back again, and ask yourself, ‘so what’ about each point.

Here, it’s best if you try your best to put the hiring manager’s cap on. Think about how they would feel reading each of the main points you’ve highlighted. 

Do you need to rewrite any of these points to make them more straightforward? Do any sentences now seem odd to you and should be scrapped altogether?

Once you’ve completed this exercise, edit your draft, print again, and go through the proofreading steps above once again.

Final thoughts on your ECT cover letter

When nailing your dream teaching position, you will have to jump through several hoops. Just like any career of any value, there is an application process you need to go through.

Yes, applying for the perfect teaching position can mean a heap of work. However, remember you only have to go through this process once to get the job you are now looking for. 

Hopefully, this post has given you the confidence and the motivation to hit your cover letter head-on and relieve a large amount of stress in the process.

Teaching is a fantastic career choice with a ton of job satisfaction heading your way that is impossible to find in many jobs. 

Remember, having a well-written ECT cover letter will help you stand out from the majority of the other applicants.

Therefore, it’s worth spending the extra time to craft a high-quality cover letter to give you the best chance of being offered an interview.

Are You Now Ready To Start Teaching?

Join our ECT pool today for the chance of starting a career in education right in the heart of London.

We have more helpful articles right here!

Ect onboarding: a school’s guide to supporting new teachers, navigating ect induction: your appropriate body’s practical role, the appropriate body: your ect induction’s guardian angel, unleashing ai in teaching: a comprehensive guide for ects to harness ai power for good.

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Cover Letter / Letter of Application Example and Advice

Subject: New teachers

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Other

Last updated

30 May 2018

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A full example of a covering letter for a teaching role.

This has been tried and tested and never failed to get an interview.

All you will need to do is amend various sections and change the skills and experience’s to suit you. It will need tailoring to the job you are applying for but that is always the case.

The will save you a lot of time and almost guarantee you an interview.

There are also guidance notes at the end providing further advice when applying for a job and writing a covering letter to help you out and to represent better value.

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Teaching job application letter examples (+ PDF and MS Word samples)

This article will show how to write write teacher jobs application letter so you increase your chances of landing the job. We'll provide samples of teacher job application letter here and also in PDF and MS Word that you can use as a template.

• Tips for writing teacher job application letter

Sample application letter for teacher

• Download sample application letters for the post of teacher

Before getting start writing the application letter for teaching job, here are some tips that will help you do it best:

Tips for writing teacher job application cover letter

• Know about the school you're applying for and the specific requirements for the job position
• Emphasise on your academic and extracurricular experience, especially as it applies to the job you're applying for
• Highlight your experiences and accomplishments but as much as possible keep those relevant to the job you're applying for
• As much as possible, know the name of the person you should address the letter to. It is better to use a name in the recipient's address than to use some generic "Dear Sir/Madam"
• Proofread and do proper spelling checks before submitting the letter
• Use a suitable font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri

Jumoke Lawson 123 Yaba Ugo Street Yaba Lagos [email protected]

September 24, 2021

Mr. Umar Kabiru Green Peak School 123 Main Street Victoria Island Lagos

Dear Mr. Umar,

I am interested in applying for a secondary teaching position in your school. As a graduate of Yaba College of Education, I have required teaching experience on the JSS 1, 2 and 3 level, in both Physics and Mathematics. I believe my years of teaching experience, coupled with my passion for community engagement make me an ideal candidate for this teaching position.

I am currently teaching JSS 2 students at Bright Stars Secondary School and I have experience teaching secondary school students in a variety of settings. Having held the position of education coordinator at my previous roles, I also have experience in management in the school system. Based on my understanding that this position requires a teacher with varied experiences in the school system, I think my varied experiences would make me a valuable asset for your school.

Part of your school's mission is to engage students from diverse cultures. I have extensive experience incorporating teaching styles that promote cultural diversity and inclusion into my classrooms. For example, as a teacher at Bright Stars Secondary School, I helped the management incorporate Culture Times in the extracurricular activities for the students, which helps students learn about the different cultures of fellow students in a fun way.

My goal is to combine my wide experience and quality of being a compassionate and intelligent teacher to make positive contributions that will benefit your students, school district and community at large.

I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely, [signature hard copy letter] Jumoke Lawson

Don't forget to download Teachers Registration Council Of Nigeria (TRCN) Past Questions and Answers .

Download application letters for the post of teacher in PDF and MS Word

Grab a free sample of Teacher Job Application Letter (MS Word) OR Teacher Job Application Letter (PDF) .

Wishing you all the best in your interview and that you ultimately land the job!

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Nice letter

It is quite interesting

Doctor is more important than a teacher

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