Teaching in the UK is a qualified profession regulated by the Department for Education (DfE). The UK has over 450,000 teachers in state-funded schools in England alone (DfE School Workforce Census, 2025), with persistent vacancies in secondary STEM subjects, special educational needs (SEN), and leadership roles. The government's Teacher Vacancy Service (teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk) is the primary portal for state school vacancies in England.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) — the essential requirement
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is mandatory for teaching in state-maintained schools in England. Without QTS, you cannot be employed as a qualified teacher in state schools. Include your QTS award date prominently on your CV. Free schools and academies technically have flexibility on QTS, but most require it in practice.
For teachers from other UK nations: Scotland uses the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) registration; Wales uses the Education Workforce Council (EWC). These are separate from English QTS but can be transferred — note your registration body and number.
DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is mandatory for all teaching roles. State on your CV whether you hold a current Enhanced DBS check and whether you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service (which allows portable checks). Include the issue date.
UK teacher pay scales (England, September 2025)
| Pay range | Annual salary (England, outer London) |
|---|---|
| Main Pay Range (MPS 1–6, newly qualified through experienced) | £31,650 – £47,185 |
| Upper Pay Range (UPR 1–3, threshold teachers) | £49,084 – £53,994 |
| Leading Practitioner | £49,084 – £74,255 |
| Head of Department / Subject Leader | TLR allowance £3,000–£16,000 added to base |
| Deputy Headteacher | £55,360 – £96,405 |
| Headteacher | £64,975 – £133,445 |
UK teaching CV format
| Element | Standard |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 pages for most teachers. 3 pages for headteachers and deputy heads with extensive leadership experience. |
| Photo | Never on a UK teaching CV |
| Application route | State school vacancies in England: Teaching Vacancies service. Independent schools: direct to school, often via The Independent Schools Portal or ISC schools' own websites. |
Essential sections
Header
Full name, QTS award date, DBS status (Enhanced DBS — Update Service subscriber, or date of issue), city/region, mobile, professional email.
Professional summary
"QTS-qualified secondary English teacher with 9 years of experience in Ofsted Outstanding and Good schools in Greater Manchester. A-level English Literature specialist with a track record of above-national-average progress — most recently 84% A*–B at A-level vs 67% national average. Committed to inclusive practice and literacy across the curriculum."
Teaching subjects and key stages
List clearly: subject(s), key stages (KS3, KS4, KS5/A-level, GCSE), examination boards you have taught (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC).
Work experience
For each school: name, type (academy, LA maintained, independent, faith school), Ofsted rating at time of employment, dates, subjects and year groups, and 3–5 achievement bullets with exam outcomes, progress data, or leadership contributions.
The personal statement / supporting letter
Most UK school applications require a covering letter or personal statement of 1–2 pages. Address: why this school specifically (refer to their Ofsted report, ethos, or specialism), what you bring to the role, your teaching philosophy evidenced by outcomes, and your contribution to school life beyond the classroom. Do not use a generic covering letter — UK school leaders spot them immediately and bin them.
Sources: DfE School Workforce Census (England, 2025); DfE Teacher pay scales England 2025; Teaching Vacancies service guidance (gov.uk, 2026); Ofsted inspection framework (ofsted.gov.uk, 2026); DBS Update Service (gov.uk, 2026)
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