How to Write a Teacher Assistant CV That Gets You an Interview?

A well-structured Teacher Assistant CV is the critical first step to securing an interview. By clearly showcasing your relevant experience, skills, and achievements, you demonstrate your readiness to support classroom management and student learning. This guide provides a step-by-step framework, complete with an example, to help you create a compelling CV that stands out to recruiters and school hiring managers.

What is the Best Structure for a Teacher Assistant CV?

Following a clear, logical structure is essential for ensuring recruiters can quickly identify your qualifications. This is particularly important as many schools use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), software that scans CVs for keywords and relevant experience before they reach a human. A well-organized CV passes through these systems effectively.

The optimal structure is:

1. Contact Information
2. Professional Summary
3. Work Experience
4. Education and Certifications
5. Relevant Skills
6. Achievements (Optional but recommended)

How Do You Write a Compelling Professional Summary?

Your professional summary is a 2-3 sentence elevator pitch at the top of your CV. It should immediately hook the reader by summarizing your most valuable assets.

• Ineffective: "A teacher assistant looking for a new job."
• Effective: "Dedicated and compassionate Teacher Assistant with 4+ years of experience in Key Stage 1 and 2 classrooms. Proven ability in supporting individualized learning plans, managing classroom behavior, and creating engaging educational materials. Seeking to bring strong organizational and communication skills to Oakwood Elementary."

The effective example states the candidate's experience level, specific skills, and career objective, providing a powerful overview.

What Should You Include in the Work Experience Section?

This section is the core of your CV. Instead of just listing duties, focus on accomplishments and quantify your impact wherever possible. Use action verbs to start each bullet point.

For each relevant position, include:

• Job Title, School Name, Location, and Dates of Employment.
• 3-5 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements.

Duty vs. Achievement Example:

• Duty: Helped students with reading.
• Achievement: "Provided one-on-one and small group reading support to 15+ Year 3 students, resulting in an average reading level improvement of one full grade over a single term."

The achievement statement is specific, uses a number to quantify success, and shows a clear positive outcome.

Which Skills are Most Important for a Teacher Assistant CV?

You should include a mix of hard skills (teachable abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal traits). Tailor this list to the specific job description you are applying for.

Can a CV Example Help You Write Your Own?

Reviewing a well-crafted example can provide a practical template. Below is an optimized CV based on the principles outlined above.

Neville McCain London | 07345 111111 | neville.mccain@email.com | [Link to LinkedIn Profile]

Professional Summary Enthusiastic Teacher Assistant with over four years of experience in primary school settings, specializing in classroom management and special educational needs (SEN) support. Successfully assisted in the instruction of over 800 students and implemented creative lesson plans that improved student engagement. Eager to apply my skills to support the mission of a progressive educational institution.

Work Experience Senior Teacher Assistant | Wavewood Academy, London | May 2019 – Present

• Supported teachers in Years 3-5 by leading small group instruction sessions, improving student comprehension scores by 15% on termly assessments.
• Developed and implemented individualized education plan (IEP) activities for 10+ students with diverse learning needs.
• Managed classroom resources and supplies, streamlining setup and cleanup processes to save approximately 30 minutes of instructional time per day.

Teacher's Assistant | Bishop Educational Centre, Hampshire | Jan 2018 – May 2019

• Assisted in daily activities for Year 1 and 2 classes, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Supervised students during lunch breaks and outdoor activities, ensuring a safe and secure setting for 60+ children.
• Helped maintain student records and prepared weekly progress reports for lead teachers.

Education & Certifications

• Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools | City & Guilds | 2017
• GCSEs: Grade A in Mathematics and English

Skills

• Lesson Planning | SEN Support | Behavior Management | Classroom Technology | First Aid Certified
• Communication | Patience | Organization | Creativity | Team Collaboration

Achievements

• Awarded ‘Best Teacher Assistant’ in 2020 for excellence in adapting to and conducting engaging online classes.
• Organized and directed a 30-minute student skit for 100+ attendees, enhancing student confidence and community spirit.

To maximize your chances, remember these key points:

• Tailor your CV for each application, incorporating keywords from the job description.
• Quantify your achievements with numbers to demonstrate impact.
• Proofread meticulously to avoid spelling and grammatical errors, which are critical in an educational CV.
• Keep the design clean and professional with clear headings and plenty of white space.