The role of an Assistant Head Teacher is both prestigious and demanding, offering an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of students while supporting the Head Teacher in leading a school. Typically, an Assistant Head Teacher in the UK commands a salary ranging from £50,000 to £65,000 depending on the size of the school and region. The position involves a combination of teaching, strategic planning, staff management, and liaising with governors and parents to ensure a high standard of education. It requires leadership skills, excellent communication, and a deep understanding of curriculum development and school operations.
Creating a standout Assistant Head Teacher CV template is crucial to securing interviews and progressing in this competitive field. Your CV is often the first impression a hiring panel will have of you, and it must clearly demonstrate your expertise, leadership qualities, and proven ability to improve educational outcomes.
Understanding the Role of an Assistant Head Teacher
Before we dive into how to structure your CV, it’s important to clearly understand the job description. An Assistant Head Teacher typically:
Supports the Head Teacher in managing the school and implementing the vision.
Leads on curriculum development, teacher training, and staff evaluations.
Ensures compliance with national standards and safeguarding policies.
Drives improvement initiatives, monitors academic performance, and reports to governors.
Handles parent communication and resolves conflicts within the school community.
The combination of these responsibilities makes the role highly strategic yet operationally hands-on. Your CV must reflect both your leadership achievements and practical teaching experience.
Crafting a Compelling Assistant Head Teacher CV Template
When creating your Assistant Head Teacher CV, aim for clarity, professionalism, and strong evidence of your leadership impact. A high-ranking CV will include specific examples, measurable outcomes, and keywords relevant to the educational sector.
1. Contact Information and Professional Summary
Start with your full name, professional title, and contact details. Follow this with a concise professional summary that positions you as an ambitious, results-oriented leader. For example:
“Experienced Assistant Head Teacher with over 10 years of educational leadership and classroom expertise. Proven track record in improving student outcomes, implementing curriculum strategies, and fostering staff development in line with Ofsted standards.”
Ensure your summary is tailored to the Assistant Head Teacher role and includes keywords like leadership, curriculum development, Ofsted, and school improvement.
2. Key Skills
Highlight your most relevant skills using bullet points. These should include both hard and soft skills:
Strategic leadership and staff management
Curriculum design and implementation
Performance monitoring and evaluation
Staff training and professional development
Behaviour management and safeguarding
Parent engagement and stakeholder communication
Data-driven decision-making
Integrate keywords such as “leadership in education,” “school improvement,” and “student performance” naturally throughout this section to boost your CV’s SEO relevance for online applications.
3. Professional Experience
This is the heart of your CV. Use reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role. For each position, include:
Job title
School name and location
Dates of employment
Key achievements and responsibilities
Focus on measurable results to make your experience compelling. For example:
“Led a team of 25 teachers to improve GCSE results by 12% over two years through curriculum redesign and targeted interventions.”
Use strong action verbs like “led,” “implemented,” “improved,” and “developed.” Also, make sure your descriptions align with the competencies expected from an Assistant Head Teacher.
4. Education and Professional Qualifications
Include your degrees, teaching qualifications, and any leadership or management certifications. For example:
BA (Hons) in Education – University of Manchester
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership)
Mention any additional professional development courses relevant to school leadership, as this demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.
5. Achievements and Awards
Highlight specific recognitions such as Ofsted commendations, leadership awards, or innovative program successes. This section reinforces your credibility and positions you as an accomplished professional.
6. Additional Sections (Optional)
Depending on your experience, you may wish to include:
Publications or contributions to educational journals
Speaking engagements at educational conferences
Volunteer work related to education
IT skills or digital learning expertise
Tips for Graduates Applying to Assistant Head Teacher Roles
For early-career applicants or graduates aiming for leadership roles:
Emphasise teaching experience, classroom leadership, and any student outcomes you’ve improved.
Highlight internships, mentoring, or leadership programs undertaken during your degree.
Focus on transferable skills such as communication, project management, and team collaboration.
Advice for Middle and Senior Management
For professionals moving into higher leadership roles:
Showcase strategic impact with measurable results across multiple teams or departments.
Demonstrate experience in policy implementation, budgeting, and resource management.
Include leadership philosophy and evidence of influencing school culture positively.
CV Structure Advice
A well-structured CV should be clean, concise, and easy to read:
One to two pages for early-career applicants
Two to three pages for middle and senior management
Use consistent fonts and formatting
Include headings, bullet points, and white space for readability
Keep your language professional and action-oriented
Do’s and Don’ts on a CV
Do:
Tailor your CV to the specific role
Include measurable achievements
Use keywords relevant to educational leadership
Keep formatting clean and professional
Highlight continuous professional development
Don’t:
Include irrelevant personal information
Use generic phrases like “hardworking” without evidence
Lie or exaggerate responsibilities
Overload with excessive detail or jargon
Submit without proofreading for grammar and spelling
Why a CV Template or Example Helps
Using a cv template or referencing a cv example can streamline the writing process and ensure you cover all critical sections. Templates help maintain a professional layout while ensuring your accomplishments and skills stand out. You can find excellent examples for the Assistant Head Teacher role here.
Final Words: Invest in Your Career
Securing an interview as an Assistant Head Teacher is all about demonstrating both your passion for education and your leadership capabilities. With a strong, tailored Assistant Head Teacher CV template, you position yourself for success and significantly increase your chances of landing that coveted role. Remember, your CV is not just a list of jobs; it’s your professional story, your evidence of impact, and your ticket to the next stage of your career.
If you’re serious about advancing your career, consider booking a professional consultation. Our team can help improve your CV and LinkedIn profile to attract the right opportunities. Book your appointment today here. Don’t leave your dream role to chance – let’s make your Assistant Head Teacher CV truly interview-winning.
