It’s not easy to distil your experience, personality and teaching philosophy into a few hundred words, and it might feel unfair to be judged for a job on such minimal evidence of the “true you”. But when applying for a teaching position, many schools request a covering letter of about that length and it is this that will convince those shortlisting to place your application firmly in the “yes” or “maybe” pile - or to banish it with the “nos”. Though it is tempting to cram as much as you can into this document, in reality you need to be selective. Here’s how to choose your words wisely. 

Prepare to impress

Explore the school’s website and relevant documentation before you start. Make a note of things that you like about the school. Before committing yourself to the application process, you need to be satisfied that it is the kind of school that you would like to work at and are well-suited to. This conviction will underpin your letter and make it more genuine and personal. 

Read the application information in detail and use the specification to identify relevant skills and experiences to include in your letter. Don’t be tempted to rehash letters from previous applications. While they may include useful information that can be adapted, try to start afresh, focusing on the specific context that you are applying to. 

Consider whether you would benefit from visiting the school, if possible. Observing the setting first hand can be a fruitful way of gauging the culture and gleaning details. It is not essential, however: consider the logistics and investment of time - yours and theirs - especially if it is far away or you are already familiar with the school.  

Decide what to include

Avoid providing a potted professional biography. Your accompanying application form will include your career resumé, so don’t repeat yourself. Also, make sure that you adhere to the prescribed length. Giving in to the temptation to make margins narrower or fonts smaller will make your letter feel bloated. On the flip side, a submission of less than one side of A4 looks like you haven’t got much to say for yourself. 

Select your content carefully. Cross-reference the job description to decide which of your skills and achievements to mention briefly and which ones to explain in greater depth. It should be a given that you are a good teacher but your letter should highlight the special qualities, talents and added value that you can offer the school. Hopefully, you will be able to elaborate in greater detail at the interview. 

Make your application specific not generic. Ensure that you thread references to the school throughout your letter, rather than merely shoehorning its name in as a cynical bolt-on. In essence, you need to demonstrate why you want to work at that particular school and why you would be a great addition to its staff. 

Structure and style are key

Format your letter using a formal letter template. It can be tempting just to submit accompanying paragraphs, but do include proper salutations and addresses. While you will want to make your tone engaging, be professional and use standard English throughout. Also, you should address the headteacher by their full name and avoid abbreviations. 

Construct your letter in clear, concise paragraphs. Use strong topic sentences to signpost your paragraphs and make your letter as easy to read as possible. Subheadings can help you to organise content. You can always remove them from your final draft but they will help your letter to flow. Make sure that you top and tail your letter with short paragraphs that are punchy and powerful. Avoid waffle, deviation and overly long sentences.

Minimise educational jargon. Acronyms that may be commonplace in your current setting may not be as widely used elsewhere. Your readership may include governors, so avoid alienating them with technical language. References to exam results and inspection outcomes may help to demonstrate a successful track record but they should be used in moderation and not at the expense of your focus on children, teaching and learning.

Check…and check again

Include accurate and complete information. If using a previous letter as a template, it’s easy to inadvertently include mentions of other schools. Making time to check names is a must. Also, you don’t want to be remembered as the applicant who addressed their letter to the principal’s PA or just wrote “Dear Sir/Madam”. Basic omissions indicate laziness, as does missing out necessary details.

Ensure that your grammar is faultless. Entrust someone to proof-read your application to spot inaccuracies or typographical errors. You don’t want the most noticeable thing about your application to be your unnecessary capitalisation of the “s” in “sincerely”, a rogue apostrophe, or your misspelling of the headteacher’s or school’s name. Poor written English could lead to you to fall at the first hurdle. Accurate writing will demonstrate that you have taken care with your application.

Pay attention to detail. The quality of paper chosen, the font style and whether you’ve signed your letter by hand are all worthy of attention. Also, there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance - get a second opinion to check your tone.

Create a positive first impression

Consider the timing of your submission. Sending your application way in advance of the deadline might look as though you haven’t given the process much thought or consideration. Also, avoid emailing your application minutes before the cut-off time; this makes you look disorganised or indecisive. 

You should avoid handing in your application at the end of a school tour. It is a wasted opportunity to personalise your letter on the basis of your visit and may look as though you are trying to curry favour by submitting in person. 

Finally, remember to conduct yourself in a polite and courteous manner during all interactions. A cold, grumpy or demanding conversation or email with the school receptionist is likely to be passed on to decision-makers and may influence the process.

Helena Marsh is executive principal of the Chilford Hundred Education Trust and principal of Linton Village College, an 11-16 comprehensive school in Cambridgeshire. She is a founding member of #WomenEd and a member of the Headteachers’ Roundtable. She blogs at staffrm.io/@helenamarsh. You can follow her on Twitter @helenamarsh81