Sample Application Letters for Teaching: 6 UK Examples

By CVBooster Team · Published 2026-11-02 · Updated 2026-11-02

7 min read

A teaching application letter is one page that names the post, shows two or three things you have taught or led, and says why this school. Below are six sample application letters for teaching jobs in UK schools, from an early career teacher to a head of department, written to British conventions, plus the structure behind them. Pick the closest one, keep its order, and replace the school, the year group and the evidence with yours.

Headteachers read a lot of letters that begin with a lifelong passion for education. The passion is not in doubt. What they cannot tell from that sentence is whether you can manage Year 9 on a Friday afternoon, so the letter has to show it.

Example 1: an early career teacher applying for a primary post

Start here if you have just qualified. The letter draws on teaching practice, because that is the evidence you have, and ties it to what the school says about itself.

Complete Entry level: Early career teacher, Year 3 post example, 173 words, laid out as it would sit in the application form

Entry level: Early career teacher, Year 3 post (173 words)

Dear Mrs Okafor,

Re: Class Teacher, Year 3, Hillcrest Primary School

I am writing to apply for the Year 3 class teacher post advertised on your website. I qualified through a PGCE at the University of Leeds in June and hold Qualified Teacher Status.

On my final placement in a Year 3 class of 29 pupils, I planned and taught full days for six weeks. Using small-group guided reading, I moved four pupils working below the expected standard to the expected standard in reading by the end of the placement, as assessed by my mentor. I also ran a weekly maths intervention for five pupils who had missed key number work.

Your website describes a reading-for-pleasure programme in every classroom. I have run reading corners and book-talk sessions in both of my placements, and I would be keen to contribute to the programme.

I have an enhanced DBS check on the update service. I would be glad to teach a lesson or meet your staff.

Yours sincerely, Hannah Pearce hannah.pearce@example.com | 07700 900118

Create my CV
Or start from one of our free resume templates

What the sources agree on

The National Careers Service sets out the baseline: "You need QTS to teach in most primary and secondary schools in England but you do not need a PGCE to teach." Say in the first paragraph how you hold or are gaining qualified teacher status, so the reader does not have to look for it. The service's secondary school teacher profile lists the routes.

For anyone moving up from classroom support, its teaching assistant profile says: "Volunteering is an excellent way to get experience of working with children and young people." Volunteering in a school is real evidence and belongs in the letter.

Prospects, the UK graduate careers service, gives the structure in its cover letter guide: "Typically, three to five concise paragraphs, cover letters should not exceed one A4 page." It adds that cover letters "should complement your CV but not duplicate it" and that you should "Tailor to the organisation" each time you apply.

Five more sample application letters for teaching

Entry level: Early career teacher, secondary science, complete example, 146 words

Entry level: Early career teacher, secondary science (146 words)

Dear Mr Hussain,

Re: Teacher of Science, Ashfield Academy

I am applying for the post of Teacher of Science. I am completing my first year as an early career teacher at a comprehensive school in Sheffield, teaching biology and chemistry to Key Stage 3 and 4, with physics at Key Stage 3.

This year I redesigned the Year 8 unit on cells to include six short practicals. End of unit assessments in my two classes averaged 68 per cent, up from 59 per cent for the same unit the previous year, according to our department data. I also lead the Year 10 science club, which has 16 regular members.

Ashfield's focus on practical science and its link with the local university are the reasons I am applying. I am a safeguarding trained form tutor and ready to take on a tutor group.

Yours sincerely, Daniel Brooks

Entry level: PGCE trainee, placement or first post, complete example, 131 words

Entry level: PGCE trainee, placement or first post (131 words)

Dear Ms Rahman,

Re: Teacher of Mathematics, Westbrook High School

I am a PGCE student at the University of Manchester, due to qualify in July, and I am applying for the Teacher of Mathematics post.

My second placement was at a school with a high proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. I adapted my Year 7 fractions lessons with visual models and a short glossary of terms, and my mentor's observation noted that every pupil attempted the main task. I have also taught Year 11 revision sessions for GCSE foundation and higher tier.

I read that Westbrook runs a maths mentoring scheme for Year 7. I volunteered as a maths mentor at university for two years and would like to join the scheme.

Yours sincerely, Sunil Mehta

Complete Mid level: Experienced teacher moving school example, 136 words, laid out as it would sit in the application form

Mid level: Experienced teacher moving school (136 words)

Dear Mrs Walker,

Re: Year 5 Class Teacher, St Michael's Church of England Primary

I am writing to apply for the Year 5 class teacher post. I have taught in Years 4 to 6 for eight years, the last four at a two-form entry primary in Bristol, where I lead maths across Key Stage 2.

As maths lead, I introduced a mastery approach with weekly staff training. In the Key Stage 2 results for 2025, 81 per cent of our pupils reached the expected standard in maths, compared with 73 per cent two years earlier. I also lead a small team of three teaching assistants and mentor our early career teacher.

St Michael's values are central to my decision to apply. I regularly lead collective worship and enjoy working closely with families.

Yours sincerely, Rachel Evans

Complete Mid level: Career changer into teaching example, 138 words, laid out as it would sit in the application form

Mid level: Career changer into teaching (138 words)

Dear Mr Thompson,

Re: Teacher of Computer Science, Riverside School (school-based training route)

I am applying for the Computer Science teacher post. After seven years as a software engineer, I am retraining through a school-based route, and I have completed two terms of teaching practice.

In my current placement I teach Key Stage 3 and GCSE computer science to 120 pupils. I built a bank of unplugged activities that explain algorithms with cards and rope, and 85 per cent of my Year 9 class completed the unit project on time. Before teaching, I mentored four junior engineers and ran training for new staff, so planning and explaining are not new to me.

I hope to bring a working knowledge of the industry to your GCSE classes and to help you start a coding club.

Yours sincerely, Alexandra Reid

Complete Senior: Head of department example, 150 words, laid out as it would sit in the application form

Senior: Head of department (150 words)

Dear Dr Singh,

Re: Head of English, Greenwood School

I am writing to apply for the post of Head of English. I have taught English for eleven years and am currently second in department at a school of 1,100 pupils in Nottingham.

Over the last three years I led the Key Stage 4 curriculum redesign for a team of eight. The proportion of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in GCSE English language rose from 62 per cent to 71 per cent, and we moved to a shared planning model that reduced individual marking load by about one lesson a week. I also lead our English literacy programme for Year 7 and 8 with the school librarian.

I would like to lead a team in a school with Greenwood's commitment to reading. I am happy to provide a sample scheme of work and to meet staff.

Yours sincerely, Michael Dawson

Create my CV

The structure under every letter

The post. Title, school and where you saw it, in one line under the greeting.
Your qualification. QTS status or route, and the phase and subjects you teach.
Two pieces of evidence. A pupil outcome, a programme you led or a placement result, with a number if you have one.
Why this school. Something specific from their website or last inspection, not the postcode.
Safeguarding and close. Mention your DBS and an offer to teach a lesson or meet staff.

Keep it to one side of A4. If the school asks for a supporting statement, read our teaching supporting statement guide for the longer format. Teaching assistants moving up can use the teaching assistant supporting statement example, and the teacher resume guide covers the CV that goes with the letter. For US-style letters, see the teacher position cover letter. Preparing for the interview afterwards? See the UK teacher interview questions.

What to leave out

A lifelong passion. Replace it with the thing you did because of it.
A list of duties. The CV has them. The letter has one story.
Another school's name. Check every paragraph for it before you send.
Criticism of your current school. Say what you are moving towards.
Dear Sir or Madam. Find the headteacher's name on the school website or in the pack.

Frequently asked questions

How do I write an application letter for a teaching job in the UK?

Name the post, state your QTS status, give two pieces of evidence from your teaching, say why this school and offer to meet. One side of A4.

How long should a teaching application letter be?

One page. Prospects advises three to five concise paragraphs and no more than one A4 page.

Do I need a separate supporting statement?

Many schools and local authority forms ask for a longer supporting statement as well. In that case, the letter is shorter and points to it.

How do I write an application letter as an early career teacher?

Use your training placements as evidence: classes taught, results and anything you led. Add your subjects and phases, and mention the support you would like from the school.

Can a career changer apply with a letter?

Yes. Say your route, name the teaching you have done so far and show how your first career helps in the classroom.

Looking for a worked example for your job title? Browse the resume examples by job title.

Get your free ATS score · All articles