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Are you a qualified special educational needs (SEN) teacher looking for your next rewarding teaching position? To help you land an interview, the first step is to create an impressive CV that summarises your qualifications, experience, skills and your commitment to inclusive education.

 

If CV writing isn’t your strong point, there’s no need to worry. In this guide, we’ll explore valuable tips and strategies tailored specifically for SEN teachers to help you create a standout CV. We outline how to write a CV that effectively communicates your passion for making a difference in the lives of students with special educational needs. 

How to Structure Your CV

 

When crafting a CV, SEN teachers should consider including the following sections to effectively highlight their qualifications, experience, and skills:

 

  • Contact information: Name, professional title (e.g., SEN Teacher), address, phone number, and email address. 
  • Personal statement or profile: A brief introductory paragraph summarising your experience, skills, and career goals as an SEN teacher. 
  • Employment history: Detail your professional experience as an SEN teacher, including the names of schools or institutions where you’ve worked, your roles and responsibilities, and the duration of your employment. 
  • Education and qualifications: List your relevant educational qualifications, including degrees and certifications related to special education or SEN teaching. 
  • Specialist skills and expertise: Highlight any specialised skills, knowledge, or expertise relevant to SEN teaching, such as experience with specific disabilities, training in behavioural interventions, or proficiency in using assistive technologies. 
  • Extra CV sections: If you want to distinguish yourself from the rest, it’s good practise to add some extra CV sections. You could include things like any additional training, workshops, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, languages, awards and certifications that demonstrate your passion for SEN education and your suitability for the role of an SEN teacher. 

 

View SEN teacher CV examples

Format Your CV Properly

 

Selecting the right CV format or template is critical for SEN teachers aiming to make a strong impression. A clear and well-organised format not only enhances the visual appeal of your CV but also ensures that essential information is easily accessible to recruiters.

 

To make your SEN teacher CV clear and organised, use these tips: 

 

  • Use bullet points where possible to list items like responsibilities, achievements and skills. This helps break up the text and makes it easier to read at a glance. 
  • For each of the CV sections, use clear headings to separate them from the rest of the text. Make it 2–4 pts larger and bold. This helps the reader navigate the CV more easily. 
  • To ensure your CV has enough white space, set 1 inch margins. 
  • Use a professional and easy to read font like Times New Roman or Arial. 
  • Keep the font size consistent throughout the CV, generally between 10 to 12 pts for the body text, with headings in a larger size for emphasis. 
  • Present your education and work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. 
  • Avoid using colours or graphic elements. 
  • Try to keep the length of your CV to one or two pages.
  • Choose a modern and professional CV template. Click here for some examples. 

Write an Effective Summary Statement

 

Writing an effective CV summary statement at the top of your CV is crucial as it serves as the first impression you make on potential employers. This brief summary provides a snapshot of your talents, skills, and professional objectives, helping recruiters quickly assess your suitability for the role of an SEN teacher.

 

You should include the following:

  • An adjective to describe yourself (e.g., dedicated, outgoing, motivated, empathetic)
  • Job title (Special education needs teacher, SEN teacher)
  • Years of experience (2+, 3+, 4+)
  • Accomplishments (e.g., managed classrooms of 10–20 students…)

 

 

SEN Teacher Summary Statement – Example

 

“As a dedicated and compassionate SEN teacher with over two years of experience, I am committed to creating inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive. Skilled in managing classrooms of 15-25 students with diverse learning needs, I strive to create engaging and supportive educational experiences that promote academic and social-emotional growth. I am experienced at adapting teaching strategies to meet individualised learning goals.”

Tailor Your Skills to the Job Description

 

Crafting a job-appropriate skill section for an SEN teacher CV is crucial as it provides an opportunity to showcase both soft and hard skills that are directly relevant to the role.

 

Relevant soft skills for an SEN teacher could include interpersonal skills, time management, communication, stress management and organisation. On the other hand, hard skills could include working with different disabilities, creating lesson plans, IT/computer skills, first aid and student progress monitoring.

 

These skills should be tailored to the specific requirements outlined in the job description, ensuring that your CV aligns closely with the needs of the employer.

 

How to write a targeted skills section:

  • Find keywords in the job description. Skills outlined in the job posting are ones that employers want to see in your CV.
  • In bullet points, provide evidence when you’ve used those skills in your career. This could include successful classroom interventions, positive outcomes for students or specific training you have completed.
  • Include a few metrics to impress the hiring team.

List “Other” Items in Your SEN Teacher CV

 

At the bottom of your CV, outline additional items such as associations (NASET, NEA), certifications (certificate in special educational needs, certificate in learning disabilities), training (Makaton, autism awareness), awards, publications, volunteering work, languages, and extracurricular activities. This provides an overview of your qualifications, experiences, and interests beyond your formal education and professional experience.

 

Including these additional items can set you apart from other candidates in several ways. Associations, certifications, and training programs related to special education or SEN teaching demonstrate your ongoing commitment to professional development and staying up-to-date with best practices in the field. This highlights your dedication to continuous learning and improvement as an SEN teacher.

 

Volunteering and extracurricular activities showcase your involvement in the community and your commitment to making a positive impact beyond the classroom. This demonstrates qualities such as empathy, compassion, and social responsibility, which are valued in the field of special education.

Crafting a standout CV as an SEN teacher requires careful attention to detail and a strategic approach to showcasing your qualifications, skills, and experiences. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a compelling document that sets you apart from other candidates. 

 

From writing a captivating personal statement to highlighting your key skills and accomplishments, each section of your CV plays a crucial role in presenting you as a qualified and dedicated professional in the field of special education. 

 

Remember to review your CV carefully for errors, customise it for each job application, and ensure that it accurately represents your qualifications and experiences. With a well-written and tailored CV, you’ll be able to make a positive impression on potential employers and land an interview.

 

Are you looking for a job as an SEN teacher? We have a range of SEN teaching roles in London and surrounding areas. Click the button below to explore our latest SEN roles. 

 

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