A senior leader CV should show your leadership, student outcomes, safeguarding, and the systems you have improved. This guide explains how to present relevant experience, measurable impact, and leadership skills so you stand out for senior leadership roles in UK schools and academy trusts.
Building a Assistant Principal resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
Senior Leader CV: What to Lead With
Start with a concise CV profile that states your current role, years of experience, and core leadership strengths. In two to three lines, mention the year groups or key stages you oversaw, the main programme areas you managed, and one or two measurable outcomes you influenced.
CV Profile Example for a Senior Leader CV
Craft a targeted profile that links your experience to the job description. Mention the school context (e.g. secondary academy, multi‑academy trust), scale of responsibility, and a clear achievement such as improved attendance, reduced referrals, improved attainment, or successful curriculum reform.
Work Experience: Structure and Priorities
List roles in reverse chronological order with clear job titles, school/organisation, dates (DD/MM/YYYY), and location for each position. For every role include 4 to 6 bullet points that start with a strong verb, specify your contribution to the initiative, and quantify results where possible so decision-makers can see impact.
Sample Experience Bullets for a Senior Leader CV
Use concise statements that combine action, scope, and result. Example bullets include leading instructional coaching cycles across faculties, driving school-wide initiatives that improved attainment, or managing budgets and staffing to optimise programme delivery.
Include safeguarding, behaviour management, and inclusion as appropriate to the role.
Highlight Leadership, Instructional, and Operational Skills
Create a Core Competencies or Areas of Expertise section with 8 to 12 short phrases that match the job posting. Include leadership capacities such as instructional coaching, data-informed decision making, multi‑academy trust governance, safeguarding and child protection, curriculum design, scheduling, and school safety planning.
Certification, Education, and Professional Learning
List degrees, leadership qualifications (e.g. NPQ in Leadership, NPQ in Headship), and relevant endorsements with dates and issuing institutions.
Include initial teacher training (PGCE or QTS) or equivalent. Add recent professional learning related to UK school leadership such as safeguarding, restorative practices, SEND inclusion, or leadership development within an academy trust.
Additional Tips
- 1Keep formatting simple and readable to help both readers and CV scanning systems
- 2Bring a concise leadership narrative to interviews outlining your top three strategic initiatives and outcomes
- 3When possible, verify and use exact figures from your records, such as attendance or assessment improvements, budget changes, and progress measures
- 4Request permission from referees (line managers or senior leaders) to act as referees and brief them on recent achievements