When you’re applying for your first ECT teaching job it can be quite a challenging task. Your ECT personal statement could be described as the most important part of your application. This is where you can shine through as a candidate and it’s an opportunity to sell yourself, highlight your personality and explain why you would be an asset to a particular school.  It is likely to be the first impression that you will make with this new school and an ideal opportunity to show your unique qualities that make you the best person for the position on offer.

Preparing your statement may feel a little daunting but we’re here to help you with some useful tips which demonstrate how to write the perfect personal statement to include in your applications.

Firstly, what is the ECT personal statement?

The ECT personal statement is an important document which schools use to understand why you want to become a teacher and whether you are suitable to teach at their school.

Of course, your application form will lay out all your qualifications, your skills, your strengths and weaknesses and also any relevant work experience. But your NQT personal statement is where you allow your unique personality to shine.

Your personal statement should be tailored to every position you apply for

As an ECT, you’re probably applying to a large number of schools at once. It might feel like a waste of time to adapt your personal statement for every job application but it’s the most important thing you can do. Every school is different, and so every application you send should be different. Take the time to read the job advertisement carefully, have a look through their website, and their latest Ofsted report. Make a list of the exact requirements of the position, plus what is most important in the school’s ethos, and connect all these to your own passions and experience.

Never use the same NQT personal statement for multiple applications. Generic personal statements are super easy for employers to spot. And after all, you want to shine, right? Plus, you don’t want to copy someone else’s statement. Remember, your personal statement is your chance to show your personality and enthusiasm, relevant to the school and prove you understand what they are looking for.

Do your research

Before your start your statement you need to ensure that you fully understand your audience.  Think about what’s important to them in the individual they’re looking for, what can you bring to the school?  Write a list of things that you think are important to that individual school and use this to form the bones of your statement

Do your research! This is a really important step. Find out exactly what is required for this specific application. Different schools or LEA’s will have different requirements for the personal statement and should have guidelines somewhere in their application advert or portal.  Clearly your first task is to make sure that the personal statement you prepare is tailored to the requirements that have been set out for that job.

 

Make your opening sentence stand out

Your opening sentence should be strong to get the reader interested straight away.  A good place to start could be what inspired you to become a teacher in the first place? Was it your own experience of learning? Was it a good or bad teacher you had previously? Remember, the individual you’re talking to has been where you are so this is a great opportunity to show some passion. Use some emotional language and create a story. Help them feel what it was like in the situation that drove your desire in becoming a teacher.

Who do you want to teach?

Be ready to explain why a certain age group appeals to you. Mention specific examples of your experience with this age group.

For example, for infants, lessons are always full of energy which means you are likely to need with active, high-energy games to keep them engage.  Similarly, primary students are at a stage where they are slowly beginning to think for themselves and many of them think they already know it all. At this age role-playing is effective, as the students like to see themselves as tiny adults. For secondary, teenagers come with their own challenges.  Demonstrate who you relate to the age group and show how you keep your lessons relevant and exciting

What experience do you have?

Whilst a list of work experience is going to help when applying for your new position, this is also an opportunity to put that experience into context and explain how it has supported and developed the skills you will bring to the school.  Examples of where you’ve had classroom time, worked with children in a voluntary capacity or coached a team etc. will all help the school understand where you could add value to them.  Use specific examples and a description of what you took from them.

Blow your own trumpet!

Explain what you can bring to the school. Show how you differ from the other candidates. You could mention past experience and achievements, your unique talents, as well as your professional goals. You could also add specific classroom strategies you have developed and how they helped your students.

The application guidelines will tell you what you need to cover for example qualifications, achievements, professional short term and long terms goals and how these can be applied to the education of your students.  All of this will help you stand out and highlight why you’re the right choice for the school

Make a lasting impression

Finish your statement strongly by reinforcing your enthusiasm for your teaching career as well as the school you’re applying to. Ensure you check and double check your statement before submitting it.  It would also be a good idea to read it out loud to friends and family to get their feedback.  Don’t pad it out with unnecessary words, keep it relevant and engaging and make sure you check for typos and grammatical errors!

Supreme Recruitment are an award winning education agency based in West London with a history of providing excellent support to Early Career Teachers looking to start their teaching careers. Our highly experienced team understands the importance of starting your teaching career in a position that allows you to complete your ECT year within a supportive school environment in a convenient location.

Please get in touch with our specialist education team to discuss your next role or recruiting requirements

Contact details:

Tel: 02085772442

Email: education@supremerecruitment.co.uk

Web: https://education.supremerecruitment.co.uk

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