The definitive guide to writing a great application for a job as a teacher or headteacher
This book provides clear guidance to writing a successful application for a job as a teacher or leader in a school or college.
It is written by me, Theo Griff. For nearly twelve years I was the forum host for Jobseekers on a popular online advice forum for teachers, answering thousands of queries for posters and helping them get jobs – and promotions – teaching in schools and colleges in the UK and in British schools abroad.
I have several decades of experience as a middle and senior leader in a range of education establishments: state schools, independent schools, tertiary college, sixth-form college and university, and have worked as a consultant on staff appointments to schools and teacher and leadership recruitment agencies, both in the UK and abroad. This gives me very relevant experience for advising you on job applications.
During this period of education leadership, I read thousands of applications for both classroom teaching and leadership posts, and was forced to reject most of them based on the application weaknesses that you can learn how to avoid. I am now sharing with you, in this book, the secrets to success when applying for a teaching job at every level, in a school or college.
Whether you are a supply teacher hoping to move to a more permanent post, a NQT about to apply for the job to start your career, an experienced teacher looking to move into middle leadership, or aiming for the top as a member of a senior leadership team, this book will support you throughout the application process.
Full of brand-new up-to-date tips and suggestions, this essential guide is comprehensive and thorough; it gives specific advice that makes you take a fresh look at how to write an application.
Applying for a teaching job* is the practical guide that will show you step-by-step how to draft an application that effectively presents who you are, what you stand for, what you have to offer a school, and why they should appoint you. You will see the exact techniques used by successful candidates to persuade the shortlisting committee to invite them for interview. You will get the key to making sure your application stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons.
It’s a Kindle book; if you don’t have a Kindle (why ever not!), you can download the Kindle App from Amazon to a phone, tablet or computer, and begin reading the book immediately. Fast and very cheap!
In Applying for a teaching job*, you will learn, among others:
•Where not to look for applications advice
•The professional approach to an application
•How to tell your headteacher that you are looking elsewhere
•The level of post that you should aim for
•How to apply to a faith school or an independent school
•When to apply for a job
•How to research a school before applying and whether to visit
•The 4 main errors to avoid in an application
•What to do as an internal candidate, or if returning from teaching abroad
•The 3 main parts of an effective application
•What reason to give for leaving
•The structure and content of the statement or letter
•The executive summary, how to draft it and why you should include one
•How to apply for a senior leadership post and write an effective SLT application
•How to return to a permanent post from supply, or after time out of the classroom
•How to apply for a teaching job with an ill-health record, settlement agreement, agreed reference or criminal record
There are also examples of what to write – and what not to write – if you wish your application to lead on to an interview.
Check out the reviews* – and write one yourself after reading the book!
*This article contains affiliate links.
Where next? There's a great quick read here on supply teaching as a route to returning to the classroom.
Check out our resources area here too.