How to Write a Standout SEND Teacher CV
03 Jan, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How to write a standout SEND Teacher CV.
- 9 tips to create a standout SEND Teacher CV.
- How to find and apply for the best SEND Teacher jobs.
The competition for SEND Teacher jobs is high and a standout CV can make a difference when it comes to beating the competition and being noticed by the school of your dreams.
Many SEND Teachers don’t realise how effective a good CV can be to give them the best possible chance of success.
Even though Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Teachers are in high demand, it’s still important to create an impressive CV if you hope to secure an interview.
Preparing a CV for a teaching job includes having a standout CV that is specific to the role of a SEND Teacher, setting you apart from other teaching positions or roles in education.
Looking for tips and expert advice on how to write a standout CV for a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Teacher position? Our latest blog delves into actionable insights to help your CV reach the top of the ‘yes’ pile.
How to write a standout SEND Teacher CV
9 tips to create an impressive SEND Teacher CV include:
- Consider the structure.
- Up-to-date contact information.
- Briefly introduce yourself.
- Education and qualifications.
- Employment history and experience.
- Showcase your skills.
- Tailor your CV.
- Demonstrate safeguarding knowledge.
- References.
Consider the structure
When it comes to thinking about how to write a standout SEND Teacher CV, it is important to make sure the document is clear, concise and full of useful content that will help beat the competition.
In today’s competitive job market, recruiters and employers are often short of time, which is why it is crucial that candidates CVs are clear, concise and easy to read. A potential employer needs to be able to find all the information about qualifications, experience and contact details on the CV quickly without being overwhelmed by too much information.
According to StandOutCV, on average, recruiters spend 6-8 seconds looking at a CV, so it is important that the structure and format of your CV allows them to identify your skills even when they’re pressed for time. If they can’t locate the information they’re searching for within a few seconds, it could result in your application being overlooked.
Ensure your CV is two pages of A4 maximum, but that it fills at least one page of A4. Include bullet points to avoid writing too much or putting off potential employers, and ensure that your CV is clear, aligned and easy to read.
Up-to-date contact information
It might seem obvious, but remember to include your contact information at the top of your CV. Include your full name, phone number, email address and location at the top of your CV. Ensure that your contact details are accurate and up to date to give the hiring manager the chance to contact you with any relevant information.
As specialist recruiters, we see hundreds of CVs on a daily basis and you’d be amazed at how many CVs miss off crucial contact information.
According to the Undercover Recruiter, 59% of recruiters will reject a candidate because of typos or misinformation. These small mistakes indicate that the candidate hasn’t taken the time to proofread their CV and doesn’t give the best impression for a SEND Teacher to neglect grammar and spelling.
Briefly introduce yourself
Start your CV with a brief but compelling personal statement to present yourself in the best possible way and make your CV stand out. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and highlight your passion for working with students with SEND and your commitment to helping them reach their potential.
A personal statement is the first opportunity to show the school you're a good fit for the job, and gets you closer to being shortlisted for an interview. The more you sell yourself and show that your skills and interests match the school's values, the better it will inform the hiring manager of whether you have the potential to be a great employee.
Demonstrate your potential by briefly mentioning your relevant qualifications, experience and skills before you explain them in further detail later on. Highlight your strengths and what it is you’re looking for in terms of career progression or opportunities to expand your skills and gain experience.
Education and qualifications
In order to become a SEND Teacher, it is important to be able to obtain a relevant degree in education, special education, or a related field. In this section, list your career education and qualifications including any relevant degrees, diplomas, or certifications related to education or special needs to set you apart from other candidates.
Schools will set their own educational requirements for applicants, but generally most schools require a grade 9-4 (A*-C) in GCSE Maths, English and Science. In your CV include the name of the institution, graduation date, and any relevant details.
Qualifications can vary depending on the school you apply for and there are different routes to becoming a SEND Teacher e.g. an undergraduate degree or a degree level teaching apprenticeship.
Employment history and experience
Follow on from your education and qualifications with your employment history and experience. It is crucial that SEND Teachers have previous experience working with children.
List your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your current position. If you have done any volunteering, include it in this section to highlight your experience of working with students with SEND.
Don’t just list or bullet point your career and experience. Highlight key moments and the results achieved during each experience and the level of success you accomplished. This allows you to showcase your skills, the results you achieved for each of your previous employers and demonstrates how your experience prepares you for the position you are applying for.
Showcase your skills
In this section, highlight some of your most valuable skills and provide examples of how you have applied them in the past. This will reiterate to the hiring manager that you have the right abilities to navigate a special needs environment and that you know how to overcome challenges.
The skills section goes a long way towards convincing the hiring manager that you have the right abilities to navigate a special learning environment. A great CV will highlight a good and balanced mixture of hard and soft skills.
Schools are looking for great communicators, team players and relationship builders. Make sure you include how you create a positive learning environment, and consider skills like time management, organisation, and flexibility.
Tailor your CV
Tailoring your CV for specific schools is crucial to show potential employers that you have done your research prior to the application and taken the time to incorporate the job application to your CV.
This can also demonstrate your shared values and benefit candidates more as they are more likely to be a good fit with the organisation if they have taken the time and initiative to research and utilise the language and skills required.
Make sure your CV can be adjusted in order to tailor the job description and meet the school’s values.
Demonstrate safeguarding knowledge
SEND Teachers must be able to demonstrate their awareness and knowledge of safeguarding and statutory guidance to keep children safe in education. All schools expect staff to fulfil responsibilities to children’s safety and create a culture that safeguards and promotes the welfare of all.
In your CV, demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
To be a SEND Teacher in the UK, candidates must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure they are suitable to work with children and young people. Therefore it is important to include your DBS in this section. If your DBS is out of date or you have not acquired one yet, you should be clear about this as to not misrepresent yourself.
References
The purpose of seeking references is to allow employers to obtain factual information to support the evidence in your CV.
Obtain references where possible from employers or colleagues you have worked with or through volunteering. This will give you an advantage over other candidates as your skills, work ethic and experience will be mentioned in context and by another professional in the industry, not just listed in your CV.
Make sure to obtain their permission before including their contact information, or simply put references available on request.
SEND Teacher jobs
Searching for your dream SEND Teacher job? Look no further! We work with a number of SEND schools, predominantly in the North West area, who are seeking exceptional talent to join their schools.
Check out what roles we have available now or upload your CV and one of our expert consultants will be in touch when a relevant opportunity becomes available.
Love this content? You might also like:
- Common Safeguarding Interview Questions and Answers
- What Hobbies Should I Mention on My CV?
- What Makes a Good SEN Teacher?
SEND Teacher recruitment services
As a leading SEND recruitment agency, we support countless SEND schools with their recruitment needs. If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not give our Managing Consultant, Jamie Heath, a call on 01772 954200 to discover how we can assist the needs of your SEND school.
Meet Jamie Heath
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
As an innovative, energetic and award winning recruitment industry, we’re constantly evolving the industry beyond its traditional mechanics. From the culture in our office to the way we conduct business across the UK, we believe in the importance of making a positive impact.
We are determined to perfectly match candidates and clients and find candidates a job that has the ability to elevate their mental health and standard of living and enhance their standard of living as well as boost their salary.
Our organisation believes that by continuing to evolve, challenge conventions and defy expectations, we can drive positive change and create a better future for all.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
