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Your NQT Personal Statement – 13 Tips to Make it Stand Out

When you’re applying for your first NQT teaching job it can be quite challenging. You might feel like you’re all alone, with no one to help and advise you. We don’t want you to struggle and perhaps lose the opportunity to get that teaching position you have set your eyes on. Therefore, we’ve created this post just for you.

Once you’re ready to start looking for a teaching position, one of the first things you will need to prepare is your application. There are usually three main components to an effective application, and these elements are:

• The application form
• A supporting statement or letter of application
• An executive summary to show how you comply with the criteria, and that you are the person the school is looking for.

In this article we will be focusing on your NQT Personal Statement. 

Your NQT personal statement is likely to be the first impression that you will make with this new school or NQT pool and an ideal opportunity to show your unique qualities that make you the best person for the position on offer. 

Therefore, you will want this opportunity to promote yourself to the school in the best way possible. So it’s important that your writing is coherent, focused and clearly explains your reasoning behind wanting to be a teacher. In addition, a strong NQT personal statement will set you apart from other candidates in the competitive marketplace. 

Just like a resume and cover letter for a regular job, your personal statement should be rewritten for every position you apply for.

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. Your employer might screen all personal statements using a similarity detection service like Copycatch. This could really hurt your application right out of the gate. And quite possibly end up in the bin. 

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.

Your personal statement also shows your communication skills. That’s why you want to grab their attention, just like you want to with your students at the start of every lesson.

What is the NQT personal statement?

The NQT 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.

It is important to put your heart into writing your statement. And be prepared to write multiple drafts.

How do you write an effective NQT personal statement?

Your application and your NQT statement are going to be the first steps in securing the position you are looking for. Therefore, you obviously want to make a great first impression. Be ready to go through multiple drafts. Take your time, and get feedback from friends and family members.

I’m sure you have a ton of questions, such as:

• How do I write a killer, successful NQT statement?
• Where do I start?
• What should I include in my NQT statement?

These are all important questions. And I’m sure you have many more. So, let’s dive in and show you how to write an NQT statement which will stand out and give you the best chance of getting hired in your chosen teaching position.

Are you ready to write your killer NQT personal statement?

Great. Here are some important tips to help you.

1. The first rule when writing a successful NQT statement is to know your audience.

Before you start, it’s a great idea to step back for a minute and put yourself in your hiring manager’s shoes.

Think about what's important to them. What are they passionate about? What are they looking for? How can you improve their life?

When you think about what your hiring manager is looking for, you’ll have a much better chance of writing a concise and effective personal statement.

It’s a good idea to write a list of 10 things you think will be important to them.

However, the most critical step at this stage is to do your research and 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.

2. What is your objective?

• What is the purpose of your personal statement?
• Why should they hire you?
• What action are you trying to get the reader to take?

You need to be clear on this before you start writing your personal statement. If the answer isn't clear to you, it certainly won't be clear to your potential employer.

3. Why do you want to be a teacher?

Seems a simple question on the surface. But this is a great opportunity to show you’ve thought through this question. You could mention a past teacher who inspired you. Or the challenges and rewards of teaching. You could also talk about any lessons you have observed or taught previously which impacted you. You could also discuss particular teaching styles and your interests in using technology in the classroom.

Key tip: Think about creating a story for this question. Remember, the hiring manager is first and foremost a human being. Many new teachers make the mistake of forgetting this vital point. You are equal to them in this respect. Use emotional language to touch your reader. Help them imagine themselves in the situation you are describing. Help them feel what it was like in the situation that drove your desire in becoming a teacher. This is a major key in rousing your reader’s emotions.

4. Make sure you start your personal statement strongly.

Just like a great book or movie, your opening sentence should stand out. Make it memorable, without being overly dramatic. Effective personal statements often start with what inspired you to enter teaching in the first place.

• Did a high school teacher inspire you?
• Was it your own experience of learning?
• Was it a good or bad teacher you had previously?

This is a great opportunity to show some passion. Like point no.3 above, use some emotional language.

5. Why do you want to teach a particular age group?

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

For example, anyone who has taught kindergarten knows how much energy the students have. Lessons are always full on. And as cute as the kids are, if your lessons are not jam-packed with active, high-energy games, you’re going to lose them. 

Similarly, elementary 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. 

If your chosen age group is teenagers, you’ll be aware that this age group has its own challenges. Being a teenager has never been an easy task, and with so many changes going on in their lives and their bodies, their confidence is up and down. 

So, when you answer this question, you’ll need to show that you can relate to what is going on in your chosen group’s world. Show you are able to look back to when you were their age, relate to the age group and show how you keep your lessons relevant and exciting.

6. What experience do you have?

Relevant teaching experience is always going to help you when applying for any position. But it is also important to reflect on how that experience has helped you develop as a teacher. If you haven’t had much classroom time:

• Do you have any experience in voluntary teaching?
• Have you coached a sports team or been involved with a summer camp?

Obviously, as a new teacher, you can’t recite years of experience. Help your hiring manager imagine you in action. For example, you could describe a particular lesson which was either a success or failure. Think about retelling a memorable or challenging experience with a student, or a description of what your classroom looks and sounds like on a typical day. This will be much more valuable to enable them to envision your teaching experience than to cite pedagogical terms or talk vaguely about your teaching experience.

Always use specific examples of how your experiences have developed your teaching skills.

7. You should highlight your achievements, strengths and skills

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.

Many applications will make it clear that they want you to cover your specific qualifications, skills and understanding of elements of the National Curriculum, your classroom and educational skills plu your short and long term goals for making a difference to the education of your pupils.

The exact requirements should be set out in the application guidelines which should also tell you what you need to focus on.

8. How long should your NQT personal statement be?

This is not an essay. It’s simply a summary of you, your skills and your experience, and how they relate to the position you are applying for. Therefore, you should be specific and keep your personal statement short and informative.

This will help you keep your personal statement under a widely recommended  500-word limit. The school will not be impressed by minor childhood achievements, so keep your statement pertinent and focused.

That said, again, check the specific requirements in each case. Some applications will welcome a longer NQT personal statement, as is the case with Lambeth where we are happy to read up to three pages of A4, but no more.

If there is no guidance then the 500 word range is a very solid guide.

9. Make every word count

It’s a good idea to take a leaf out of a professional copywriter’s book here. Don’t waffle. Make every word count. Use powerful words where possible, without being overly dramatic. Avoid weak words like may, maybe, hope, wish, try, and perhaps. Instead, use words like will and can to help your personal statement command attention.

10. Take your time

Edit and then re-edit your personal statement. Besides being difficult to read, misspelled words and grammatical errors will destroy your credibility. Once you think you’ve written a great personal statement, it’s a good idea to leave it for a day or two. Then come back and see if you can improve it.

11. Read your statement out loud

This next tip is super-effective, and one many people fail to do. Read your statement out loud. If you do this, you’ll spot areas that don’t flow properly. And if you stumble when reading your statement out loud, you can be sure your potential employer will have the same trouble.

Key tip: Why don’t you record yourself as you read out your statement? This is simple to do with your phone. Then play it back and see if you can spot areas you can improve.

12. Let friends and relatives read your personal statement

Make sure whoever you ask to read your personal statement knows you want them to be critical. The whole purpose of this exercise is to improve your statement, not to make you happy that they love it. Choose your feedback team carefully. 

13. Finish strongly

The way you finish your personal statement should reinforce your enthusiasm for your career in teaching. Acknowledge that hard work is necessary, but also make your excitement stand out.

Your personal statement for PGCE primary

You should explain the experience you’ve gained with primary-age children.

The PGCE primary personal statements usually demonstrate your personality and the various skills you have which would benefit primary schools such as being artistic, your musical talents or your sporting prowess. 

All these types of skills would be very useful during primary schools’ extracurricular activities.  

Your personal statement for PGCE secondary

In this type of personal statement, you will want to make it clear you understand the challenges of teaching older students.

You could mention specific examples of situations and challenges you have faced teaching this age of students, and how you overcame them.  

You’ll also want to document how your degree ties in with the position you are applying for.

Final thoughts on your NQT Personal Statement

So, that is the nuts and bolts of what your NQT personal statement should include. The basic foundation for an effective personal statement is that it’s all about the pupils. What the school wants for the pupils, what you can provide for the pupils.  

You should always write your personal statement, and indeed your whole application from the angle of what will benefit the pupils, not what’s best for you.  The school is not interested at this stage in what’s good for you, it’s more interested in what’s good for its pupils, and if you can provide that. 

Now you know the structure of a strong NQT personal statement, we hope you will be in a perfect position to write an effective statement to get that dream job you’ve had your eyes on.

There’s more on the specific requirements of what Lambeth are looking for in the NQT personal statement for the Lambeth NQT pool on pages 10 and 11 of the NQT Information Pack which you can download here .

Remember that, as we said at the start of this article, each job you apply for should come with clear requirements for the application and hopefully some guidance. In the case of Lambeth we have a requirement for your NQT personal statement to clearly cover how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of being an NQT, and we outline a set structure that helps you do that.

Download our NQT Information Pack now to learn more.

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Climbing the teaching ladder: a guide to promotion for ects, stay, switch, or shift an ect’s guide to post-induction decisions, new teacher toolkit: navigating your first week as an ect, from trainee to teacher: 5 critical ect questions answered.

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• mrsstrickey
• Jan 16, 2021

Writing a Personal Statement

Going for your first NQT post can be a daunting prospect... especially when in teaching, you need to write a personal statement to support your application form.

Schools use your personal statement to help short list candidates for a position by checking off the criteria of the person specification that they can see in your statement. It is always a good idea to write your personal statement alongside the person specification, ensuring that you have included all the "essential" criteria and as much of the "desirable" criteria you can that are assessed through the application.

Where possible, you should also use the language of the school you are applying to - their vision, values, mission and ethos statements will help you here and should be available on the school's website. You will also sometimes find these in the application pack. Read this carefully and then read it again, reading between the lines of what they might be looking for.

Here is an example of the structure of a personal statement for a trainee teacher applying for their first NQT job:

Begin with an impact statement that summarises your philosophy on teaching or that refers to the mission/vision/values/ethos of the school you are applying to:

I believe that it is, as Einstein said, the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. As a passionate teacher, dedicated to ensuring the very best outcomes for all students I teach, this statement resonates with me as I endeavour to awaken joy in all of the learners within my classroom. It was your belief all young people have the right to a transformational educational experience, that will enable them, no matter what their starting point, to fulfil their potential and realise their ambitions that first attracted me to your school as it aligns with my own personal and professional philosophy on education.

Throughout my practice, I constantly encourage pupils to participate and contribute in an atmosphere highly conducive to learning. I have consistently set high expectations of pupils in different training contexts. There are high levels of mutual respect between me and pupils. I am very effective in promoting learners’ resilience, confidence and independence when tackling challenging activities. In my lesson, I generate high levels of enthusiasm, participation and commitment to learning.

Back this up with an example from your training.

I have also assumed a high level of responsibility for the attainment progress and outcomes of the pupils I have taught. I have demonstrated confident judgement in planning for pupil progression both within individual lessons and over time and I am able to articulate a clear and well-justified rationale as to how I am building on prior achievement. Within my lessons, I seek to actively promote engaging and effective methods that support pupils in reflecting on their learning. I have demonstrated that I am able to set appropriately challenging tasks, drawing on a sound knowledge of the pupils’ prior attainment, which has been obtained through systematic and accurate assessment. I regularly create opportunities for independent and autonomous learning. As a result the majority of pupils make very good progress.

In order to plan effective lessons, I draw on my in-depth subject and curriculum knowledge of [your subject or phase] to plan confidently for progression and to stimulate and capture pupils’ interest. Throughout my training, I have demonstrated very well-developed pedagogical subject knowledge, by anticipating common errors and misconceptions in my planning. I am astutely aware of my own development needs in relation to extending and updating my subject, curriculum and pedagogical knowledge in my early career and have been proactive in developing these effectively during my training. I always model very high standards of written and spoken communication in all professional activities. I also successfully identify and exploit opportunities to develop learners’ skills, in communication, reading and writing.

I plan lessons that often use well-chosen, imaginative and creative strategies, and that match individuals’ needs and interests. I am highly reflective in critically evaluating my practice. I am able to accurately judge the impact of my practice on individual and groups of learners and can use my evaluation to inform future planning, teaching and learning. During my training, I have shown initiative in contributing to curriculum planning and developing and producing effective learning resources in my placement settings.

I have been able to quickly and accurately discern my learners’ strengths and needs and I have been proactive in differentiating and employing a range of effective intervention strategies to secure progression for individuals and groups. I have an astute understanding of how effective different teaching approaches are in relation to impact on learning and engagement of learners

I can confidently and accurately assess pupils’ attainment against national benchmarks. I use a range of assessment strategies very effectively in my day-to-day practice to monitor progress and to inform future planning. In my practice, I systematically and effectively check learners’ understanding throughout lessons, anticipating where intervention may be needed and do so with notable impact on the quality of learning. I have shown that I am able to assess learners’ progress regularly and work with them to accurately target further improvement and secure rapid progress.

I have been able to rapidly adapt to the different circumstances in which I have trained, working confidently within the frameworks established in different settings and applying rules and routines consistently and fairly. I have also demonstrated an ability to adapt to remote working and remote delivery in response to the Global Pandemic. I consistently have high expectations and understand a range of strategies that experienced teachers use to promote positive behaviour and apply these very effectively, including use of school sanctions and rewards, and use of praise, in order to create an environment highly supportive of learning. I am able to manage pupil behaviour with ease so that learners display very high levels of engagement, courtesy, collaboration and co-operation. Where it is needed, I actively seek additional support in addressing the needs of pupils where significantly challenging behaviour is demonstrated.

During my training, I have been proactive in seeking out opportunities to contribute in a significant way to the wider life and ethos of the school. I have built strong professional relationships and have demonstrated that I am able to work collaboratively with colleagues on a regular basis. I have taken responsibility for deploying support staff in my lessons and for seeking advice from relevant professionals in relation to pupils with individual needs. I deliberately seek out opportunities to develop my own professional learning and respond positively to all the feedback I receive. I have also demonstrated that I can communicate very effectively, both verbally and in writing, with parents and carers in relation to pupils’ achievements and well-being when required to do so formally, but I am also proactive in communicating in relation to individual pupils’ emergent needs.

I always treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher's professional position. I realise the need to safeguard pupils' well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions. I show tolerance of and respect for the rights of others. I do not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. I always ensure that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils' vulnerability or might lead them to break the law. I am always punctual and have good attendance. I have attended numerous CPD sessions and will continue to do so. I have also completed a weekly duty (before school and at break} and attends daily briefings (whole school, subject or pastoral). I have taken on board the policies of the school and maintain a high standard in all my practices. I have a good understanding of the framework within which I work and my professional duties

End with a statement that implies/assumes you will be invited for interview:

I would relish the opportunity to work at your school and look forward to discussing this further with you at interview.

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How To Write an ECT Personal Statement and Land Your First Job as a Newly Qualified Teacher

About over 2 years ago By Scott Owen

If you’re an early career teacher (ECT; still known in Wales as an NQT), then a well-written ECT personal statement is the bridge between you and an interview for the school of your choice. But how to write a personal statement?

While Googling examples of ECT personal statements can sometimes prove helpful, it can also just lead to more confusion. There’s a reason for that. Whilst it’s helpful to get some guidance on what people are looking for, at the end of the day, the personal touches on your statement are what make you stand out. Sticking rigidly to someone else’s template is a risky road to take.

Most people will admit to finding personal statements tedious things to write, particularly when tailoring them to multiple different applications. Protocol Education can help you find an ECT job for September without the need to handcraft dozens of personal statements.

Our ECT Pool consists of a single application form, a few chats with your consultant and interviews in schools where you want to work.  Find out more about the ECT Pool here .

However, if you’re dead set on a particular job which expects you to write a personal statement as part of the application process, here’s how you do it.

So, let’s think about the actual purpose of the statement, show the school you are the right person for their job, the right fit for their school, and how you will benefit their students.

Did you notice how many times I used 'their' in that sentence?

This is because a one-size-fits-all ECT Personal Statement is not going to cut it. Any school hiring manager can see straight through a generic, templated statement.

Where do I begin, though, you ask? These tips for writing your personal statement should help you get started.

Read, read, read

The very first thing you need to do is read all the documentation included in the application pack. The letter, the job description, the person specification, the application guidance, everything!

Get out your highlighter pen and start reading and colouring in anything that stands out as important. Focus on important things to the school, unique to the school’s ethos, approach, values, and anything that is particularly aligned to your skills and work experience.

Get personal with the Person Specification

Next up, you need to look at what they have specified the essential criteria for the role. Put each point on a sheet of paper and start jotting down notes underneath each showing how you meet that criteria – it could be a qualification, teaching experience, depth of subject knowledge, your extra-curricular interests, your approach to teaching or your particular specialisms.

Get your skeleton structure in place

Good supporting statements share a fairly consistent anatomy. Here’s a handy NQT personal statement example structure:

Your area(s) of interest/expertise: Subjects, age ranges, SEN, all the details relevant to your desired career route and the needs of their role.

Your teaching experience – Include a general overview and a specific example that lets them visualise you in the classroom, how you work, how you support their pupils with their teaching and learning.

Address the Person Spec - This is where you demonstrate how you meet any additional criteria in the Person Specification that haven’t been covered yet. Have they said that experience in a particular area would be beneficial? Are they looking for knowledge of a specific learning style? Do they want some technical expertise to help with blended learning? This is the part to include all that extra detail.

Your USP - Your unique selling point goes in your NQT personal statement here. This is where you make yourself stand out from the crowd – try to answer the question ‘why would you hire you? It may be a specific skill, achievement or experience, your approach to teaching or work, or your alignment to their mission and ethos.

Let’s say you're applying for an SEN primary school that has a sensory garden, and you are an experienced gardener who has been involved in community gardening? Tell them. Do they run a chess club, and you played chess for the county? Let them know. Perhaps they have a dedicated SEN department, and you have volunteered in this area for the past couple of years. Whatever value you can add, it’s on you to make them aware of it.

Sum up what you have learnt in your teacher training and experience so far and how you are looking to develop your skills. Talk about why teaching is so important to you, and explain clearly why you want to work for that particular school.

Finally, the ‘SO-WHAT’ test

Once you’ve written everything up, apply the so-what test to each point.

For every point you have included, ask yourself – so what?

How does this point show I can benefit the students – and if it doesn’t, re-write or remove it. This document is not about what you want for yourself; it’s about what you can give to the individuals you are teaching, and highlighting this throughout is what will make your NQT Personal Statement shine!

Oh, and one last thing – proofread your statement, and proofread it again!

​Alternatively, you could just join our ECT Pool to bypass it altogether and start teaching in your first role as an early career teacher. The choice is yours.

Join the ECT Pool

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Top Tips for Writing Your NQT Personal Statement

While there are many moving parts when applying for a job as an  Early Career Teacher  (formerly known as an NQT), the most important of them all is your personal statement. The application form is for you to lay out your qualifications and skills. But your personal statement is where you can shine through as a candidate. It’s an opportunity to sell yourself, highlight your personality and explain why you would be an asset to their school.  

It’s not an easy thing to write. But as many successful ECTs can attest each year, it’s certainly not impossible.   

To give you the best chance to succeed, we’ve put together six top tips that will help you create a personal statement that lands you an ECT interview at your dream school. 

1. Tailor your statement to each school 

As an Early Career Teacher, you’re probably applying to a large number of schools at once. When you’re in the middle of your busy PGCE year, it might feel like a waste of valuable time to edit your personal statement for every job application. In fact, 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.  

2. Craft a killer opening line

Just like a great novel, your opening sentence should stand out (for the right reasons). Effective personal statements often start with a brief explanation of what inspired them to become a teacher in the first place, or why they’re excited to be applying for this particular position.  

3. Focus on the age group you will be teaching 

Rather than saying you enjoy teaching a particular age group, show that you understand the challenges (and how to overcome them) that come with those particular students.  

For example, if you’re applying for a job within a secondary school that has a sixth form, you might want to show how you have helped students with UCAS applications. Or if you’re applying for a primary position, you could demonstrate why it’s important to keep an element of play within your lesson plans.  

4. Highlight how your experience has develop

A list of your working experience is a necessary part of your CV, but it’s not what schools are looking for in your ECT personal statement. Instead, you should use this as a space to give your own perspective on how all this experience has shaped your outlook as a new teacher.  

Whether you want to talk about classroom time, a school trip, or coaching a youth sports team, specific examples of how your experiences have improved your skills will give the school’s hiring team a fuller picture of what you’d look like in the role.  

5. Show off your strengths and skills

Use your personal statement to demonstrate what you, as an NQT, can bring to the school that no other applicants can. Achievements, professional goals, strategies you’ve developed; all of these will highlight what makes you unique and how you (and only you) can specifically help that school.  

6. End on a strong note

Just like your pupils’ best essays, your conclusion should mirror your introduction. Reinforce your enthusiasm for teaching and the school your applying to. 

Finally, before you click send, take the time to triple check your statement for any errors!  

How to skip the ECT personal statement 

If you’d prefer to avoid writing a personal statement altogether, then Teaching Personnel is here to help.  

Our  ECT Pool  is the most efficient way for newly qualified teachers to start their careers. We will actively promote you to schools in your local area and help you prepare to nail the interview.  

As soon as you register, our educational recruitment specialists will create a detailed profile of your skills, abilities, personality, and professional goals. We use all that information to match you to jobs at local schools. This saves you precious time writing out many detailed applications. 

Find your first job as an Early Career Teacher  –  register for the ECT Pool today .    

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12 December 2020

...personal statements.

Applying for an NQT Post  Writing a Personal Statement

A personal statement is usually requested to support an application for a teaching position. The statement serves to help potential employers shortlist candidates for interview.   It should summarise key skills and interests, set out strengths and experience, and demonstrate sound writing in standard English.

This brief article sets out some tips and principles to guide you to write a good statement, which is accurate, clear and economical. It includes a suggested structure - in the form of a writing frame - to support you with the process.

• There is no need to write at length about wanting to be a teacher if you are already on a teacher training programme.
• Write economically; two A4 pages max, as a guide. But do note and include specific expectations from the employer.
• Give concrete examples of what you do in the classroom which has made a difference to pupils and their learning.
• Avoid cliché, quoting too much of the Teachers’ Standards or appearing arrogant (by bragging, for instance).
• Write in error-free English. Your application is likely to be rejected if there are any spelling or punctuation mistakes, or if your grammar is flawed.

Before sending off your statement make sure it's checked and edited carefully. If there are obvious errors or the opening is unnecessarily convoluted then your hard work may be wasted. Ask someone you trust to read through your statement for you, for their honest opinion on its clarity, economy and accuracy. 

Then, hit send. Good luck!

DJA For more support with the application and interview process, see the following posts:

Demo Lessons... http://danieljayres.blogspot.com/2013/12/demo-lessons.html

Interview Day... http://danieljayres.blogspot.com/2014/02/interview-day.html

2 comments:

This is brilliant!! I was looking for some guidance to write my personal statement, and came to your page to see if there was anything for guidance! This is perfect!

Hi Suchana, I'm glad to hear that you found this article useful. Daniel

Please add your comments & views. No tricky verification required... Regards, DJA

NQT teaching job application

Make spelling and grammar mistakes.

Use phrases like 'Good teachers should..' .. you don't know it all, no one does!

Talk about things that are already on your application form e.g. safeguarding training - I can see that on the form I don't want to hear it again on your statement.

Talk about random things like: 'I grew up in a blah blah and went to university'

Your university course - I can google that - UNLESS there are specific modules you'd like to mention e.g. SEN or specialisms.

Use loads of professional jargon - school governors will be reading these too, they may not know what you mean!

Biggest for me (this is a personal one) - don't be boring, if it is sending you to sleep then it's a no from me.

Be too descriptive

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So you’re an NQT...what next?

So you have finally completed your initial teacher training, been given Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and now you are a fully-fledged teacher...right? Oh apart from that small challenge that is passing your NQT year. Once you have gained Qualified Teacher Status you become a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and will be expected to continue your training for a year before being given the green light and joining the fully qualified teacher club. 

Before embarking on the NQT journey, there’s plenty to get your head around and understand. So before we dive into the fun stuff, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. 

NQT Personal Statement 

First and foremost, when applying for teaching jobs, your personal statement will be one of the first impressions you make and will give the school an indication of who you are and why you might be suitable for the role. 

Before writing your personal statement…

• Look for jobs on education recruitment sites such as eteach.com or tes.com - some regions have specific sites for school job advertisements so make sure to look out for these. 
• Top tip - make a list of all the schools you are interested in and look at their websites under vacancies/jobs to see if they are advertising. Cutting out the middleman and applying directly to the school can help give a good impression.
• Take time to research the school you are applying to. Visit if possible (or in the current climate organise a telephone call or zoom meeting!) and become familiar with their school values and mission statement/ethos. It is just as important that you find the right school for you, and not just you fitting into the school's requirements.
• Read the job specification carefully and take note of key requirements. 

What should it include?

Knowing what to include in your personal statement can be tricky, so we have compiled a handy list to get you started. 

• We recommend that your personal statement is no longer than two pages of A4.

(If you imagine how many applications schools will receive, reading pages and pages of information about each applicant takes time! )

• Start by describing why you would like to teach and the reasons leading up to this decision. 
• Explain your understanding of what makes a good teacher and say a little about your own ethos and values. It might be a good idea to link these to the school’s values and draw comparisons.
• Describe your key traits and why these make you a great teacher, make sure to link these to the person specification. 
• Give examples of successful teaching moments, what went well, and why and the impact this had on children and their learning. Equally, you could give an example of a time where something hasn’t worked, how you dealt with it, and what you changed going forward. 
• Refer back to the job specification and explain why you would make a good addition to their team. Make sure to mention your commitment to safeguarding children and your understanding of this.
• Tell them a little more about you, what hobbies you enjoy, and how you spend your spare time. 

Buzz Words to include : safeguarding, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability), relationships, teamwork, CPD (continued professional development), organised, honest, open, efficient. 

Finally, and most importantly proofread! Proofread yourself and, if possible, ask someone else to proofread too. Spelling and grammar mistakes do not reflect well on the teacher applying!

NQT Interview Questions/Tips

We all know that feeling in the pit of your stomach before an interview, but try to remember that you are just as much interviewing them as they are you. 

Here’s what you might expect from the interview process:

• You may be asked to prepare and teach a lesson or a presentation. These can be anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour - you might be observed by members of the SLT (senior leadership team) and school governors. 

“Always stick to the brief you are given and if you have 20 minutes, keep it to 20 minutes. You can always talk at the interview about how the lesson might have developed further with more time, or how it fits into a bigger picture of learning…”  Mr T’s NQT Support. 

(for more from Mr T’s NQT Support, check out his twitter page!)

As the saying goes ‘ fail to prepare and prepare to fail ’. They seem like harsh words but oh so true. Take time over your lesson plan, thinking of what problems might occur and how you could solve them. If you can, practise your lesson out loud, making sure to pronounce any technical vocabulary linked to the lesson correctly. Have your resources ready and make sure to give a copy of your lesson plan to whoever is observing you. This shows organisation and forward thinking.

• After the lesson, you will most probably have a sit down interview. This is where they might ask you how you thought the lesson went, what you learned from it, and what you could have done differently.
• Schools may require you to do a small group task instead or in addition to teaching a lesson. These could be an unseen task, so be prepared to think on your feet!

A top tip from us at PBHQ is to take in examples/pictures of work from your placements.

“I always found it much easier talking from a photo...I wasn't reciting a textbook theory to the interviewers but discussing my experience in a more natural way”  Catherine Lynch, PlanBee 

Questions you may be asked…

• How do you think that went? 
• What makes a good teacher? 
• Why do you want to be a teacher?
• Why do you want to work at this school?
• Can you give an example of a time you have been in a tricky situation with a child and/or parent? How did you solve the problem?
• Can you give an example of when you have had a run in with a colleague?
• What does it mean to be professional?
• What could you bring to this school?
• How would you describe yourself?
• If we were to go into your classroom, what would we see/hear?
• How have you approached a safeguarding issue in school? 
• In what ways can you keep children safe?
• How would you plan to organise your time before and after school?
• What makes a good lesson?
• How would you make sure a lesson is accessible for all children?
• In what ways could you use a teaching assistant to support you and the children?
• What behaviour management strategies have you tried in the past? 
• What are the current issues in Education?

  Remember, it’s ok to take a breath and have a moment to think before answering a question. You could even ask to come back to that particular question at the end to give you more time to think of an answer. So don’t panic if nothing comes to you straight away! 

Towards the end of the interview you might be asked, “Do you have any questions?” so make sure you have a few questions up your sleeve to ask. 

So good luck! Be prepared and have confidence. Should you not get the job for any reason, (but we hope you do!) it may be an idea to ask for some constructive feedback. This could help when going through the interview process again. 

NQT Support

So you got the job! Congratulations! After the excitement has died down and thoughts move to the year ahead, what can you expect in the way of support from your school? 

On your first day, you should be given a school induction whereby a member of staff will take you through safety regulations and policies, making sure you know who to go to should you need help. You should also be told who your NQT mentor is. This person will be your first port of call should you need any support throughout the year. You will also be assigned a tutor from the education body you are completing your training with. You will probably see less of this person than your school mentor, however, they will make appointments to come and see you, observe your teaching, and discuss your progress with both you and your mentor.   

You will be expected to collect evidence to support your meeting of the teacher standards , these are the minimum requirements for teachers’ practice and conduct, so get organised! You may be provided with a folder from your tutor or you may be expected to make one yourself. 

How many hours should an NQT teach?

  To support your development during your induction period, schools are expected to ensure you have a reduced timetable of no more than 90% of the school’s existing timetable of those teachers on the main pay scale. This is in addition to the standard PPA time given to all teachers. 

PPA or planning, preparation and assessment time is scheduled based on 10% of a teacher's timetable. For most, this equates to around 2.5 hours a week if working full time. NQTs should have a reduced timetable of 20% when including PPA. Click here to read more about government guidelines for NQTs.

Should you need to take sick days, your induction period may be extended to ensure you have met teacher standards. The government has recently changed guidance and currently advises that the induction period will not be extended where an NQT is impacted by Covid-19. 

What happens if you fail your NQT year?

According to the government statutory induction guidance, should an NQT reach the end of their induction period and not meet the teaching standards, they have failed their induction period and cannot be lawfully employed as a teacher.

  Occasionally, an NQT may wish to leave their school during their induction period. Should this occur, an interim assessment will be written by the headteacher giving an overview of your progress so far. You can choose to finish your induction period elsewhere, especially if you feel that you may need a different level of support. 

Don’t panic!

Don’t let this information scare you; the likelihood is that with the right support and encouragement you will pass your NQT year no problem. Make sure to keep in regular contact with your mentor and tutor to make sure any problems that occur are dealt with efficiently. 

  According to a study published by tes.com, the NQT failure rate over the past ten years was just 0.05%!

What will I get paid as an NQT?

The teacher's pay scale is revised annually and gives guidance on pay for all teaching roles, including that of an NQT. From July 2020, pay for an NQT range between £24,373 - £25,543 depending on where in England and Wales you live.

Life as an NQT

During your NQT year, it is more important than ever to look after yourself. Entering your NQT year at a time where people across the world are living a new version of normal can be daunting. Take each day as it comes and breathe, you can do this!  

For more on how to survive your NQT year, head on over to our blog, ‘How to achieve an NQT work-life balance’ . For tips and ideas why not look at our NQT tips Pinterest board!

In the words of Bear Grylls…

“Survival can be summed up in three words. That’s the heart of it really. Just keep trying.”

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NQT Personal statement

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8 February 2021

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A personal statement for an NQT applying for their first position. It is for a nursery teaching post but is easily adapted to fit KS1 and KS2 teacher applications.

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