A senior-level PE teacher CV should show your classroom leadership, programme development, and measurable student outcomes within the UK education system. This guide explains how to structure each section so your experience reads clearly and aligns with UK school hiring priorities.
Use the examples and phrasing tips to present your background with confidence and relevance.
Building a Pe Teacher 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.
Header and contact information for a senior-level PE teacher CV
Your header should include your full name, current job title, telephone number, professional email, and a LinkedIn URL. Add your town or city and country so recruiters know your location, and include a brief credential line for quick context, such as Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), National Professional Qualification (NPQ), or a higher qualification like an EdD when applicable.
Consider adding a link to a short portfolio or coaching page if you maintain one, and keep formatting simple so applicant tracking systems can parse the fields easily.
- •Full name and preferred title, include professional suffixes like EdD when applicable.
- •Phone number and professional email, avoid casual addresses.
- •Location and LinkedIn URL, include portfolio or coaching page if relevant.
- •Certification line, list QTS/NPQ and DBS status with expiry dates, and indicate right-to-work in the UK if applicable.
Professional summary for a senior-level PE teacher CV
Start with a concise 2 to 3 sentence summary that highlights your years of teaching, leadership roles, and signature strengths in physical education within the UK context. Focus on curriculum design, student assessment, safeguarding, and any departmental leadership you have held.
Mention Key Stages you most often taught (KS3-KS5) and the GCSE PE or BTEC sport contexts you have managed. Keep the summary specific to the role you want and avoid generic phrases so hiring teams can immediately see your fit.
Core qualifications and skills for a senior-level PE teacher CV
List 6 to 10 targeted skills that match the job description and reflect senior-level responsibilities such as curriculum leadership, assessment design, safeguarding, and coaching experience. Use a dedicated Skills section so ATS and hiring managers can scan quickly.
Prioritise qualifications, programme management skills, and measurable coaching outcomes.
Consider including: curriculum planning across KS3-KS5, data-informed assessment design and progression tracking, safeguarding and child protection training, inclusive teaching and SEND/sport for all, multi-sport coaching and fixtures management, resources and budget oversight for a PE department, staff development and lesson-observation programmes, health and safety risk assessment and injury management, partnerships with local clubs and external providers, and technology-enabled PE (video analysis, digital assessment). List professional qualifications such as QTS (or equivalent UK qualification), NPQ, safeguarding certification, First Aid at Work, and relevant coaching certificates (UK Coaching, FA coaching badges).
Additional Tips
- 1Ask a trusted colleague to read your CV for clarity and to confirm your achievement statements read as intended. A second pair of eyes can spot jargon, repetition, or unclear phrasing that you miss after repeated edits.
- 2Prepare two CV versions: one focused on classroom and programme leadership for senior leadership roles within a UK school or trust, and one highlighting coaching and extracurricular success for athletics-focused posts. Tailored CVs save time when applying to different school types (state, academy, independent, MATs).
- 3When possible, include a concise one-page portfolio or appendix with sample unit plans, assessment rubrics, and student outcome summaries to back up claims on your CV. Portfolios provide interviewers with concrete examples of your planning approach and impact.