These guides explain how to prepare an application. The original vacancy and its recruitment authority decide eligibility, required documents, selection stages and deadlines. Role suggestions use published job titles and simple matching rules; choose another guide when a title is ambiguous.
Your application, step by step
Identify the school role and route
Read whether the vacancy is for a qualified teacher, early-years professional, teaching assistant or other school support role. Check the subject, age range and whether selection is through a school, authority, competition or placement list.
Verify qualification recognition
For teaching roles, check the destination authority’s qualification and registration requirements and any teaching-language evidence. A teacher trained abroad may need a specific assessment; support roles may have different entry requirements.
Build a focused teaching record
State the subjects and stages you taught, dates, responsibilities and relevant development. Choose examples of planning learning, adapting for different needs, evaluating progress and working with colleagues or families.
Submit the school’s required material
Complete the stated form and provide the certificates, statement, references or portfolio requested. If the process includes a lesson, presentation or interview task, confirm the class, time limit, resources and assessment criteria.
Prepare for selection
- Prepare a short lesson or learning activity with a clear objective, an adaptation and a way to check understanding.
- Be ready to explain a pupil-support or classroom-management example without identifying a child.
- Review the school’s published curriculum, priorities and support arrangements.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming university teaching and school teaching use the same qualification route.
- Submitting pupil records, photographs or unredacted assessment work in a portfolio.
Official guidance
Check the current instructions from the recruiting organisation before submitting.