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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Primary Education Personal Statement
Submitted by Lily
Do you want to inspire young people and help change lives?
Choose to study Education at Roehampton, one of the UK's leading providers of teacher education.
Primary Education Personal Statement
“Let’s play teachers, I’ll be Miss Lily”: the words that led me to realise I wanted to be a primary school teacher . It was ‘Miss Lily’ as somehow Miss ‘surname’ seemed too formal as well as being a little too complicated for 4 year olds to call you on work experience. During this period, I worked with children from reception through to year 6 and met many different children. I mainly worked with children one on one, helping those who found the work more challenging as well as listening to KS1 children read, helping to prepare class materials and helping with sports day. Some children I worked with were very challenging and I was asked to take some them out of the class and work with them one on one in the library, I soon realised how difficult it must be for teacher’s to help children who are particularly struggling (or troublesome!) as well as teaching and supporting the whole class. I did find it challenging myself trying to get unwilling children to do their work but I loved the sense of achievement when I finally got through to them, helping them to learn and understand things and realised that perhaps I was in fact cut out to teach. On a separate occasion I also helped out at an after school photography club at a primary school, I loved how I could combine something I enjoyed doing whilst working in a school environment with the children.
As I have interest in a wide range of subject areas and activities such as religious studies, history and geography I believe this would benefit me, and the students, as I will be passionate and enthusiastic when I teach them. I believe I possess many of the skills required to be a good teacher, many that were developed further during my work experience; my organisation, patience and positive energy being just a few examples. I love the idea that I will somehow be able to shape the future of young children and play an important role in their development. I also understand just how challenging and demanding the role of a primary school teacher is but I think it is a very rewarding career that I would be very suited to.
I am a very caring person making me well-suited to working with children and I believe I have a positive personality and cheerful disposition that can engage children effectively as well as being able to maintain a good rapport with the students. At college I study classical civilisation, modern history and BTEC law. As well as this I decided to do an EPQ which further demonstrates my diligent attitude.
I am confident that all the transferable skills I have acquired during my EPQ such as time management and research skills will be incredibly beneficial to me and will prepare me for my time at university. I also work part-time at The Card Factory which has really developed my confidence in recent months.
My communication skills have also improved and I have gained a sense of responsibility I didn’t have before, knowing people rely on me and depend on my hard work and commitment to providing good customer service. I believe I am incredibly well suited to being a primary school teacher possessing many important qualities and I am sure that it will certainly prove to be a rewarding and fulfilling, albeit certainly challenging career.
I hope that studying primary education at university will equip me with the skills that will allow me to be a successful teacher and that my enthusiasm stands out allowing me to proceed on the pathway to becoming a qualified teacher.
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Postgraduate teacher training personal statement tips
--> /news/2022/07/postgraduate-teacher-training-personal-statement-tips/
Making a strong application is a crucial element in achieving a place on a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) or other postgraduate teacher training programme.
Making a strong application is a crucial element in achieving a place on a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) or other postgraduate teacher training programme .
Your personal statement can often be the deciding factor when tutors are considering who to call for a formal interview. As admissions tutors may read through hundreds of applications, the presentation and content of your information are critical.
Before you begin, make a few notes to focus your thoughts and allow yourself a couple of weeks to fine tune your statement before finally submitting it. Show it to your friends and family, be prepared for constructive criticism and use a spell check facility to ensure your spelling and grammar are accurate.
You are applying for highly competitive programmes of study so don’t be afraid to sell yourself and outline your relevant achievements.
Things to include in your postgraduate teacher training personal statement
You have only limited space for your personal statement. You can write up to 1000 words and it is recommended that you write at least 500 words, to give yourself a good chance of being successful. So it is important that you mention all the key information necessary to make a good first impression. Be concise and do not repeat information that you may have included elsewhere in the application.
You may want to include the following in your personal statement:
- Your motivation to become a teacher and what makes you passionate about this career choice
- Why you have chosen to teach a particular age range and if relevant, a specific subject
- The skills, personal qualities and values you possess which will make you a strong teacher
- Any relevant experience. Be sure to reflect on what you have gained from any school experience you have. You can also discuss what you have learnt from other experience working with young people, or mention relevant courses or achievements e.g. first aid courses
- Your understanding of teaching and of the education sector for your chosen age phase e.g. current developments or challenges
- Your understanding of the role of a teacher and what you hope to contribute, both in and beyond the classroom
It’s completely up to you how you choose to structure your personal statement. You may like to start by outlining your motivations and passion for a career in teaching and it can be a good idea to finish with a brief summary. Many applicants choose to discuss their skills and experience in the same paragraph. This will allow you to provide evidence for the skills you are discussing, by backing them up with specific examples from the experiences which have allowed you to develop each skill.
The application process can seem daunting at times but effective planning and preparation, including dedicating sufficient time to writing your personal statement, is the key to a submitting a strong application. Remember to stay relevant and ensure that any information you include highlights your suitability for the course.
Consider Edge Hill for your postgraduate teacher training studies .
Common mistakes to avoid in your postgraduate teacher training personal statement
When applying, you’ll want to avoid these common mistakes to make your personal statement truly stand out.
Neglecting classroom experience
Many applicants focus solely on their academic achievements and ignore or underplay classroom experiences. These experiences can really help your application stand out. Make sure you highlight any school-based observations or interactions with pupils, and reflect on what these experiences have taught you about teaching and the school environment. If you don’t yet have experience in a school setting, don’t worry. We are looking for a commitment to, and understanding of, education in your chosen age phase. This can be demonstrated in other ways, for example through wider reading to keep up-to-date with policy and developments in the education sector. You could also draw upon relevant experience with young people from outside the classroom and the skills this has enabled you to develop.
Lack of curriculum knowledge
Admissions tutors want to see that you have a strong grasp of the subject you wish to teach. Merely stating that you have a passion for the subject won’t cut it. Elaborate on the specific modules or topics in the subject that interest you and how you’d approach teaching them. If you feel that you need to brush up on your subject knowledge, find out more about the free Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses we offer in a range of subjects.
Ignoring professional skills
Teachers need a broad skill set that goes beyond subject knowledge. Skills like communication, leadership, and organisation are crucial in a classroom setting. Make sure you discuss these skills in your personal statement. Many applicants fall into the trap of listing but not evidencing their skills. Be sure to provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated your skills in the past, or of the experiences which have allowed you to develop these skills.
Omitting long-term goals
Failing to mention your long-term career goals can make it seem like you haven’t thought through your path in education. Whether you aim to specialise in a particular type of teaching or wish to progress into educational leadership, share these aspirations in your personal statement.
Overlooking diverse learning environments
Teaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all profession. There are different learning environments, student needs, and educational philosophies. Make sure to mention any experience or interest you have in diverse educational settings, such as special education, rural schools, or teaching students who speak English as a second language.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Your personal statement should be between 500 and 1000 words so make sure you have everything covered within this limit. Check that all the grammar and punctuation is correct, and be sure to read through your statement plenty of times to check it flows well.
Once you’ve considered why you want to be a teacher, why you’re a good candidate and what inspires you, it’s time to start your personal statement.
When writing your introduction, get straight to the point: explain why you have chosen to pursue teaching as a career and avoid clichés and quotations.
You may find it easier to write an introductory paragraph last, after you’ve made your argument as to why you deserve a place on the course. However you choose to work, make sure your introduction covers the key points mentioned above.
You may choose to use the same personal statement for all courses. If so, make sure you don’t include anything which is specific only to one of your choices e.g. a particular module on a course.
There is scope to edit your personal statement to apply to different courses or different providers. This may be something you would like to do if for example, you are applying to a Secondary Physical Education PGCE and a Primary Physical Education Specialist PGCE. Or for example, if you are applying to secondary PGCEs in different subject areas, such as physics and maths. This can allow you to really demonstrate your subject knowledge, or your motivation to teach a specific subject or age phase.
Further advice on applying to a postgraduate teacher training course
If you are applying to Edge Hill University and would like any additional advice about writing a personal statement as part of your application please contact Course Enquiries on 01695 657000 or email [email protected] .
Further tips and advice are also available on the Get into Teaching website .
July 11, 2022
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Writing a pgce personal statement.
If you’re applying to train as a teacher you’ll be required to write a personal statement as part of your application.
Take your time writing your personal statement. It’s your first chance to make a good impression so it's well worth investing time to develop a clear structure and style of writing.
It’s a good idea to proofread your statement thoroughly and get others to read through and check for typos, grammatical errors, style, and tone.
What's the personal statement for?
The personal statement is crucial to your PGCE application; it is used primarily to decide whether to invite you for an interview. A poorly written personal statement could end your teaching career before it has started!
This is your chance to demonstrate what you have to offer as a teacher. You should also explain why you want to teach a particular subject or age range, and how your skills and experience will help you become a great teacher. It’s your chance to show your motivation, commitment and teaching potential and an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for teaching a particular subject or age group.
Remember, you only get one opportunity to write a personal statement for both cycles of applications, so it’s important to keep in mind that you should avoid creating tailored personal statements for each university.
How to write and structure your personal statement
The personal statement is split into two sections totalling a maximum of 1,000 words. It’s important to make sure you do not repeat yourself and to take time to ensure that each section is organised coherently. Divide your writing into paragraphs, each dealing with a particular aspect of the question.
Section 1: Why do you want to teach?
(Up to 600 words).
This is the place to talk about why you think you would make a great teacher. You can include:
- what has led you to choose teacher training
- your understanding of the demands and rewards of the PGCE course and of the teaching profession
- the personal qualities that will make you a valuable asset to a school
- details of any paid or unpaid experience you have of working with young people and what you learnt
- details of any other experiences which you can bring to the teaching profession. Think about any ‘transferable skills’ or qualities which you have developed which may be relevant to teaching.
- If you are a career-changer, what have you been doing and what are your reasons for the switch to teaching?
- your thoughts on children’s wellbeing and the education system
Your personal statement should tell us why you want to teach, your skills and about any experience you might have of working with young people or in the education sector. If you are taking any exams or additional study before starting the course, particularly if this relates to your eligibility to join the course, we want to hear about it.
It should also show that you understand the education system, what challenges teachers face and that you’re engaged with issues around education.
If you’ve not taught before, think about any other things you’ve done that might demonstrate the skills you’ll need to be a teacher (your transferable skills).
Although it’s a good place to expand on your skills and experience, this shouldn’t be the main focus of your personal statement as the rest of the application will showcase this.
Section 2: Why are you suited to teach your subjects or age group?
Up to 400 words.
Remember to not repeat anything you have already said in section 1!
If you’re writing a personal statement for secondary teacher training, use this section to describe your knowledge and experience of the subjects you’ve chosen. Any work experience in the field will be of interest.
What universities are looking for
Universities want to see your passion for teaching and understand why you think teaching this subject or age group is the right career for you.
Your personal statement should be original and honest. Try and avoid clichés or writing what you think we want to hear. All we really want to hear are the real reasons you’re applying to study a PGCE and become a teacher.
If you’re writing a personal statement for primary teacher training, say why you’d like to teach this age group. If you are particularly interested in certain primary subjects or have relevant experience in them, you can talk about that here too.
You could talk about:
- any relevant work or unpaid experience
- your degree and degree modules
- your other relevant qualifications, such as A levels
- any relevant skills, interests or achievements
- your understanding of the national curriculum
Questions your personal statement should answer
- Why do you want to be a teacher?
- Why do you want to teach a particular subject, Key Stage or age group?
- What are your strengths?
- What experience do you have and how has this influenced your desire to teach?
- What skills do you have that would be useful for teaching
The finer details
Your personal statement should be:
- no more than 1000 words
- written in the first-person
- grammatically correct - we suggest writing in a document before adding to your application
- your own work, don’t copy from anywhere online
- structured correctly with a clear introduction, evidenced paragraphs and a conclusion
- proof-read before being submitted
And finally, be prepared to answer questions about what you’ve written in your personal statement at the interview stage!
Find out more about how to get into teaching .
Find out more about how to get into teaching .
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Checking your eligibility to study a pgce, how to prepare for your teacher training application, how to write a good personal statement for pgce application, what to expect at your pgce interview.
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Your teacher training personal statement
Your personal statement is your chance to make yourself memorable with teacher training providers and show them why you’ll make a great teacher.
You do not have to write it all at once – you can start it and come back to it. Successful candidates often take a few weeks to write their personal statements.
How long should my teacher training personal statement be?
Your personal statement can be up to 1000 words. 90% of successful candidates write 500 words or more.
You could include:
- skills you have that are relevant to teaching
- any experience of working with young people
- your understanding of why teaching is important
- your reasons for wanting to train to be a teacher
- any activities you’ve done that could be relevant to teaching (such as first aid courses, sports coaching or volunteering)
Teacher training providers want to see your passion and that you understand the bigger picture of teaching.
How to write your personal statement
When writing your personal statement you should make sure you check your spelling and grammar in your application. You want to make the best possible impression.
You can use ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help you write your personal statement. You should not rely on it to write your entire statement because:
AI tools use bland language and will not be able to give details about you as a person. Using them may result in your application being unsuccessful
your account to apply for teacher training may be blocked if you consistently submit personal statements that look like they have been written with AI tools
Do I use the same personal statement for each application?
You can use the same personal statement for every course you apply to.
However, there may be some instances where you’d like to tailor it to different courses.
For example, if you want to apply to train to teach maths and also to train to teach physics. In this case, you might want to change your personal statement to talk more specifically about the subject you’re applying to train to teach.
Should my personal statement be different if I’m training to teach primary or secondary?
You should use your personal statement to explain why you feel passionate about teaching a specific age range or subject.
If you’re applying for a primary course with a subject specialism, or you’re particularly interested in certain primary subjects, you can talk about that, too.
If you’re not sure if you want to teach primary or secondary, you can find out more about teaching different age groups .
Do I need school experience?
You do not need school experience to apply for teacher training, but it can help strengthen your personal statement.
Teacher training providers like to see that you have a good understanding of teaching, how the school system works and what your transferable skills are. You need more than just good subject knowledge and school experience can be a great way to get this.
Getting some school experience can also be a good way to make sure teaching is right for you before you apply for a course.
Find out how you could get school experience .
Get help with your personal statement
You can get help with your personal statement from our teacher training advisers . They have years of teaching experience and can give you free, one-to-one support by phone, text, or email.
Advisers can also help you understand more about what teaching is really like, which can help improve your application.
Having a teacher training adviser was really beneficial when editing my personal statement and preparing for interviews. My top tips for the application process would be to get an adviser, and to think about what transferrable skills you have when writing your personal statement and answering interview questions. Felix, former teacher trainee
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What to Include in Your PGCE Personal Statement
How your pgce personal statement should be structured, example personal statement, final thoughts, pgce personal statement.
Updated November 24, 2021
A PGCE personal statement is written as part of the application process for teacher training and gives candidates an opportunity to showcase their skills and attributes.
PGCE candidates will only write one personal statement, which is used to apply for all of their preferred choices. Students upload their personal statement to the UCAS Teacher Training system, and it is submitted for all choices in both phases of the application process (‘Apply 1’ and ‘Apply 2’). No changes can be made once it is submitted.
The personal statement is often used as the deciding factor for choosing whom to invite to interview . This piece of writing should explain the experience you have and how this translates into your abilities in the classroom.
It should also present what you might be like as a teacher – how will your personality and interests help engage students and get them enthused about the subject?
A lot is riding on your personal statement and writing it can be a daunting task. This guide will outline what your PGCE personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.
The admissions team will want to know about the skills, experience and personal qualities you have that would make you perfect for a teaching career. They need to see you have the dedication and passion to complete your PGCE and have a successful future.
Simply saying, “I would be good at this role and am well suited to it” isn’t enough. The PGCE provider needs to read real examples that demonstrate your skills and abilities and meet their requirements.
Here are some details you may want to include in your personal statement:
1. About You
A teacher’s personality and personal experience will be highly influential, therefore your own experiences are relevant to your application.
Before you start writing, it’s a good idea to spend a few minutes jotting down some key facts that are relevant to teaching. These might include:
- Your interests
- Qualifications/achievements
- What motivates you
- Your upbringing
- Relevant skills
Remember to include examples in your list. Coaching a sports team in your spare time suggests you are experienced in motivating young people and getting the best out of them. Maybe you play an instrument and use music in class. Including qualities like these will make your application stand out.
2. Why You Want to Teach
A key element of your application is explaining why you have chosen teaching as your future career. Show an awareness of how teachers can inspire individuals and also the benefits you might see in yourself.
Try to broaden your answer further than simply saying you are passionate about teaching or children. Every applicant will say they are passionate.
Give details of experiences that moved you towards this career or, perhaps, even the moment you realised this was what you were born to do. By using genuine examples, your passion and excitement will shine through.
3. Why You Are the Best Candidate
Try not to pull out a cliché like “I am passionate, dedicated and reliable” – make your application stand out by using a paragraph that the provider won’t see in any other application that day.
Think about what makes you different from any other candidate. Other applicants may say they can take charge of a class and have experience dealing with challenging children, but will they sing an entire lesson just to get the pupils to engage with them, like you did in your work experience? Or will they bring in a structure made out of Lego to demonstrate osmosis, like you did on your degree placement? Think of what makes you, you.
4. Why a PGCE?
Include details of why you have chosen to go down the route of a PGCE rather than doing a full teaching degree. Perhaps you dipped your toe into teaching while travelling after your degree and realised how much you love it, or maybe you are passionate about biology and wanted to decide at a later date whether to go into teaching or industry.
Show that you have done your research and understand the structure of the PGCE and what will be required.
5. Teaching-Related Experience
Include details of any experience you have gained working in schools or with children in another environment. This might include:
- Work experience
- Visits to schools
- Teaching assistant roles
- Voluntary teaching/supervision roles (like helping out at a scout hut, etc.)
- Experience via the Get School Experience service
- Classroom observations
With every experience you discuss, note the skills you gained and how they will benefit you as a teacher and how they have improved your understanding of the education system.
6. Other Professional Experience
Teaching demands a range of different skills – it’s not simply a case of delivering information.
Talk about past positions you have held:
- Did you manage people?
- Did you work within a team?
- Did you negotiate?
- Have you trained or coached others?
- When have you communicated information to different audiences?
The skills you have gained throughout your education, work and personal life can be highly relevant to your application. Be sure to include details of why these skills will make you excel as a teacher.
7. What You Learnt During Your Degree
Whether your degree was in the subject you intend to teach or not, it’s important to talk about the skills you developed throughout your learning and how they will benefit you as a teacher.
If you’re struggling to find transferable skills , here are some ideas:
- Think about how you communicated (presentations, critiquing the work of your peers, etc.)
- Give examples of how you organised yourself
- Describe times you helped others with their learning
Remember to talk about the benefits your initial degree will bring when studying for your PGCE and how your interest in it has inspired your desire to teach.
8. Your Knowledge of What Training to Be/Being a Teacher Entails
It’s important to stress your commitment to your training. To do this, you should demonstrate that you have done your research and are fully aware of what is to come.
Although teaching is a highly rewarding career, no one applying for teacher training will do so without being aware of the challenging nature of the profession.
There is no need to ignore these challenges in your application; actually, it will work in your favour if you show that you have thought about these challenges and are sufficiently prepared.
Talk about the positives and negatives that you expect to experience in your training and within your career, and how your core strengths will help you deal with them.
9. Your Future Plans
Discuss your plans beyond the PGCE:
- Do you have the ambition to be a headteacher?
- Do you plan to take on pastoral responsibilities?
Show a keenness to immerse yourself in the school system and be open to opportunities that come your way.
10. Extenuating Circumstances
Your personal statement is the place to openly discuss any extenuating circumstances, such as low grades or large gaps in employment/education. Make sure you show how you have overcome these challenges and what you learnt from them.
Write your personal statement in Word (or equivalent) and make sure you are happy with it before copying and pasting it into your application on the UCAS system.
You need to keep your personal statement to no more than 4,000 characters across a maximum of 47 lines of text . The UCAS Teacher Training system may differ slightly to your word processor, so be prepared to amend slightly once you have copied it into the UCAS page.
To keep to the character limit and cover all the suggested material above, you will need to be succinct. Make sure you only talk about topics that are relevant and delete any waffle.
Your opening statement should be strong and memorable – a good idea is to state why you have decided to get into teaching. Back up all details with examples and be sure to say what you learned from the experience or how you can bring the skills you developed into the classroom.
Split your statement into three sections:
- Introduction – Introduce yourself and talk about why you want to do a PGCE
- Middle – Use the notes above to cover the key details
- Conclusion – Tell the reader why you are the best person for the place they are offering
Avoid using bold, underlining or italics, and write in English (or Welsh if applying for Welsh PGCEs). The UCAS system will strip all special formatting out of the personal statement (except paragraph breaks) so ensure you keep it simple.
When you are happy with the content, make sure you ask someone to check your work . Spelling and grammar in personal statements should be accurate. Make sure you have not copied anyone else’s work at all – UCAS screens all applications for plagiarism.
Below is an example personal statement which covers all of the key points you should include in this piece of writing:
A teacher at my secondary school single-handedly transformed my passion and ability for maths; I was predicted an ‘F’ at GCSE and in a matter of months, she helped me achieve a ‘B’ and start to enjoy the subject. I can’t think of a more satisfying job than one in which you can inspire young people in the way my teacher inspired me. After achieving a ‘B’ in maths at A-Level, I went on to study the subject at University College London and graduated in 2018 with a 2.1. It was in the final year of my degree that I had my first taste of teaching the subject, as several of the modules involved presenting topics to large groups of first-year students. I was thrilled when students asked to see me afterwards to share their observations of what I had been discussing – it was clear my enthusiasm had rubbed off on them and they were excited by maths, which is exactly why I want to teach. I currently work as a teaching assistant at St Andrew’s School, where I have been for six months. This position has given me a great insight into the skills needed to be a fantastic teacher; the school has several SEN pupils and I have been exposed to the more challenging side of the profession. Being trusted to run activities with the entire class has helped me build confidence and learn how important it is to adapt lesson plans to engage students who have different abilities. I have gained valuable skills in implementing strategies such as gentle competitiveness between pupils, and tactical seating plans to get the best out of each student. Before working at St Andrew’s, I completed a work experience placement at Bell Lane Academy where I shadowed teachers working across the five different year groups. This experience helped hone my skills in addressing different age groups in different ways. My ability to get the best out of students is further strengthened by the experience I am currently gaining in the position of assistant coach at my local netball team. Having worked with the girls for the last 18 months, I have developed different ways of motivating individuals, helping push them outside of their comfort zones and encouraging them to take on new challenges. In my spare time, I enjoy playing netball and rugby and would be keen to take on extra responsibilities at a school in the form of after school clubs or teams. I also have a keen interest in management styles and personality types. The knowledge I gain from books on these topics helps me understand pupils and their differing learning styles – what works for them and what doesn’t. It also helps me look inwardly, analysing my own leadership style and methods of teaching. I have chosen to do a PGCE because I am passionate about maths, and I wanted to spend three years of a degree course exploring the subject further, rather than embarking on teacher training straight from school. My degree course has helped me with my confidence and my ability to speak in front of large groups of people. Teaching first-year students during my degree course helped me think about how to deliver the subject in an exciting and creative way. The experience I have had so far has clearly shown that teaching is an extremely challenging profession, but one which I believe is undeniably my calling in life. I adore maths and I want to bring the subject alive, helping children learn in an exciting, rewarding environment. A few weeks ago, I took it upon myself to ask the headteacher for permission to get the whole year group involved in a human percentages exercise – the children loved it. I believe I should be offered a place on your PGCE programme because I can commit to dedicating myself to a role in which I will strive to inspire and excite every pupil I teach.
The personal statement is your one opportunity to capture the attention of the PGCE provider and set yourself apart from other candidates. Teaching is about bringing your personality into the classroom and inspiring students, so avoid a formulaic application and speak from the heart, giving a full picture of who you are.
Your answers should convey enthusiasm for inspiring young people, a passion for teaching, creativity, excellent organisational skills and energy.
Demonstrate an awareness of this challenging profession but conclude with excitement and enthusiasm for your chosen career path.
You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:
Or explore the Postgraduate / Further Study sections.
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How to write a teacher personal statement
Your personal statement is your first opportunity to show the school you’re a great fit for the job, and gets you closer to being shortlisted for an interview. The more you show how your skills and interests match the school’s ethos and values, the better. We’ve spoken to a range of teachers to get their top tips for success.
What experience do you have?
Schools want to hear about your trainee experience with different subjects, key stages, types of school, and working with a range of pupils.
Think about your approach to teaching, how you keep pupils engaged, and how you communicate with different kinds of people (children, staff, parents and carers). Ensure you provide evidence for how you have improved student engagement and built positive relationships with pupils.
Schools will be interested in your approach to behaviour management, so think about your go-to strategies.
Are you engaged in teaching theory and research?
Think about any research that has affected your teaching practice. Explain what has worked well and if it didn’t, what you learnt.
Are you up to date on safeguarding statutory guidance?
You need to demonstrate your awareness of the importance of safeguarding and the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education . Include any examples of how you worked with a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
What are your skills and qualities?
Are you a well-organised, confident, and motivated teacher? Say it, and provide examples! Schools are looking for great communicators, team players and relationship builders. Make sure you say how you create a positive learning environment, and consider skills like time management, organisation, and flexibility. Schools will also want to know how you overcome challenges.
How can you contribute to wider school life?
Set yourself apart by showing how your hobbies and achievements could contribute to the wider school community. Could you run an after school club or organise school trips?
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- 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.
You can download the word version of this
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Teacher training personal statement example (primary pgce) 8.
I am hard-working, confident and conscientious and have a keen desire to be a primary school teacher. Working every day at an after school club for primary age students has given me excellent experience in this field and confidence in my ability in it. I am organised, reliable and enthusiastic and I work well in a team. At the club I have developed my behaviour management skills; I have gained the confidence and trust of the children and we have a mutual respect.
My first formal experience of working in a primary school was during work experience, two years ago. This was a most rewarding experience for me; I quickly learnt valuable skills and the ability to be patient, self-assured and understanding when dealing with young people in a learning environment. Last year I returned to the same school to mentor a child with social and learning difficulties. This was an invaluable experience; I felt that I was able to build up Thomas's interpersonal skills and self-confidence.
Since September of this year I have worked every day as an assistant play worker at the same primary school's after school club. My role involves organising activities for a large number of younger children. Working at the club has given me the experience to deal with awkward situations, the ability to be flexible when working as part of a team and the skill of performing well under pressure.
I recognise the importance of having a good sense of humour to establish a rapport with the children and to take a positive approach in establishing good behaviour. I will be working at this school until the end of this year; for the past week I have been building on my experience with children by working full time with pupils in Years 3-6. Later in the year I will be working at a different school to widen my experience of the classroom environment.
At St Ivo School I have contributed to a wide range of student support groups. I have assisted on school field trips and in lessons; in recent years I have worked in the school's listening service helping younger students with social and academic problems to develop ability and confidence in themselves. Outside of school I was a member of the Scouting Organisation for nine years.
During the latter part of this time I volunteered in organising Beaver groups (for younger children) in evening activities, organised games and other events. I also learnt a wide number of outdoor pursuits whilst scouting such as kayaking, sailing and camping. I have similarly taken part in school productions such as, 'Oh What a Lovely War', which has given me a good deal of confidence in public speaking.
I have a real passion for English; I take a deeply analytical approach to textual study in lessons and enjoy reading for pleasure. Psychology has taught me how children think and has been of considerable benefit in developing my teaching skills. Similarly drama/ theatre studies have given me a good deal of confidence in public speaking and the ability to work in a team.
Teaching is a career that I have been working towards for many years; I have gained considerable experience in working with young people which has given me plenty of qualities and skills to draw on in a teaching course at university.
Profile info
This personal statement was written by mrtomhill for application in 2011.
mrtomhill's Comments
Okay so it's gone now so too late for changes but I need a bit of confidence about it, I am begging for unconditional offers. (I realise that's unlikley but pressure overload atm)
This personal statement is unrated
Related Personal Statements
i think it´s good
Thu, 30/12/2010 - 18:03
Mon, 13/02/2012 - 16:31
Can be also this issue because the truth can be achieved only in a dispute :DD
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Personal statement for PGCE secondary
If you want to teach children aged 11 and over you'll need to apply through the Department for Education's (DfE) Apply for teacher training service
This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.
Example personal statement for PGCE secondary
I became interested in teaching after realising how much I had benefited from excellent and passionate teachers. They exuded a real sense of enthusiasm for learning, which inspires me to pass on that passion.
My love for computing developed during my A-levels after discovering an aptitude for programming and networking. This drove me to study more, going on to gain a 2:1 in BSc Computer Systems and Network Engineering from the University of England. Studying at university developed my passion for computer sciences and taught me a range of transferable skills that I believe are fundamentally important to teach young people. This is demonstrated in my dissertation, which was awarded a first, investigating The Internet of Things (IoT) and how it can help shape educational establishments of the future.
While at university I decided to volunteer as a teaching assistant in a mainstream school. By my final year I was able to take responsibility for running activities in the classroom, balancing the needs of each child and managing behaviour issues. In addition, I regularly helped run the lunchtime computer club. In working with more vulnerable students such as SEN learners I saw the role played by support staff in maintaining control of the classroom, particularly with those who can be disruptive when under stimulated. I learned the importance of differentiating lesson plans to educate and engage students with special needs and the power of strategies such as a well thought out seating plan and friendly competitiveness in learners. I saw students develop within the classroom as a result of my determined support and these good working relationships are beginning to result in higher grades. I have liaised well across several departments to communicate information about students in an organised and diplomatic way.
One highlight was when I supported a young person with ADHD who attended computer club. They had been struggling to remain focussed and on task in class but were able to focus well when completing tasks on a computer. As a result, they suffered from poor behaviour, disengagement and low self-esteem. I negotiated with some class teachers to allow this pupil to use a tablet during their lessons. The pupil could then access any PowerPoint presentations being delivered to enable them to go back and reread specific slides. They could also access links to visual resources to enhance their understanding of the subject being taught. Homework was posted online for them to complete and submit electronically. This was such a success that the school invested in more tablets to be used by a range of students across the school. This further inspired me to want to become a teacher to enable me to support others who may be facing barriers to learning that could be tackled through the introduction of technology.
To support my professional development further I undertook short work placements in two other schools. Volunteering in Key Stages 1 and 2 confirmed my desire to teach Key Stages 3 and 4. I became aware of the many demands placed upon teachers and their time and I believe that the project management, communication and problem-solving skills gained during my degree will be invaluable assets within the classroom and beyond. I was exposed to a range of pedagogical models and teaching methods, which is something I look forward to learning more about on a PGCE.
One of my hobbies is to make short films about how to use different forms of technology and software packages. I post these on YouTube as instructional videos. These have proved to be very popular and I am considering how I can use this type of activity to benefit the students I teach. One option is to support students to create their own videos to help deepen their understanding of a subject, which they can then choose to upload to the school's virtual learning environment to aid their peers if they wish.
During school placements I witnessed the challenges and rewards present in a school environment. Teachers need to be resilient particularly when working with students who find school difficult, do not want to engage and do not want to accept support. However, I look forward to working in the education system and believe I could help and inspire students to develop their future aspirations.
While researching for my dissertation I spoke with secondary school teachers about the challenges their students faced and one that came up often was digital poverty. In many inner-city schools, pupils do not always have access to up to date and reliable computer technology to allow them to keep up with the advances in technology that they’ll face when seeking employment. One of my aims would be to investigate how the use of integrated technologies, as well as fostering links with local companies and the community, could result in a cost-effective solution allowing all students equal access to computer technology.
Technology has become its own form of literacy due to its prevalence in everyday life. Numerous careers use at least one aspect of Microsoft Office or Google Drive daily; balancing budgets on spreadsheets, creating slides to be presented, or attaching documents to emails to communicate important information. Allowing students to learn and refine these skills prepares them for life beyond the classroom.
With technology being present in many classrooms, and not just to teach computing skills, the introduction of the IoT could enhance learning activities even more. It could provide improved connectivity, introduce artificial intelligence and virtual reality to the learning environment as well as cloud computing platforms. I am excited about the future of education and how I can be an active part of it.
When writing your personal statement, you need to include:
- What inspired you to choose teaching.
- Why you wish to teach at secondary level.
- Your knowledge of the pressures and rewards of teaching.
- The personal qualities and skills that will make you a good teacher.
- How you might contribute to the wider school environment such as running extra-curricular activities and clubs.
- Any experience of working with children and what you learnt through doing this.
- Evidence of your knowledge related to the subject you hope to teach.
- Any relevant work or unpaid experience.
- Your degree, degree modules and dissertation topic where relevant.
- Any relevant skills, hobbies and achievements.
Find out more
- Read all about applying for teacher training .
- Get prepared with our teaching interview questions .
- See more examples of teaching personal statements .
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Take your time to carefully plan out and practise your statement. It is a good idea to draft your statement in a word document and get some feedback on it before committing to the final version.. Don't waste space with irrelevant or repetitive information. Be succinct and avoid complicated language and overly long sentences.
use examples based on your recent teaching experience. tailor your personal statement according to the school/age group. use good, clear, written English, using first person terms such as 'my' and 'I'. be original and honest. avoid clichés and general statements, such as 'I've always wanted to teach'. demonstrate a passion for teaching.
Example personal statement for PGCE primary. In my early education, reading and writing were a challenge. At age nine I received a diagnosis of dyslexia bringing with it extra support from the school. This gave me a real determination to overcome my disability. It drove me to study hard, achieve high GCSE and A-level grades and go on to achieve ...
Teacher Training Personal Statement Example (Primary PGCE) 1. I have chosen to apply for a primary teaching degree because I enjoy working with children. I have a strong interest in teaching and the learning process of children. This is been confirmed by my work experience report...
Inspire your Primary Education personal statement with our UCAS examples and learn from previous students who have already applied to university. Order Prospectus; ... Personal Statement Advice on your statement. Postgraduate Info on postgraduate study. Student Finance Advice on managing finance.
How to write it. You can use up to 47 lines of text (4,000 characters) in your personal statement. Some word processing packages calculate line counts differently from the UCAS Teacher Training system, so you might need to redraft your statement if there's a discrepancy between the counts. Write in English (or Welsh if you're applying to ...
Example 1: Entry-level teacher. I recently graduated from Little Valley University with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. I'm seeking the role of preschool teacher at your school. For the last three years, I've worked as a substitute teacher at Willow Park Elementary.
Teacher Training Personal Statement Example (Primary PGCE) 6. My ultimate goal is to become a primary school teacher. I have a fondness for children and believe that they can be taught valuable life lessons during their time in primary school in addition to the content of the National Curriculum. This will help them to grow emotionally and ...
I ask you to give me the opportunity to further my education as I know I have the commitment, the patience and the persistence to succeed. This personal statement was written by esther for application in 2007. esther's Comments. constructive criticism please =] and thankyou very much for your comments and thankyou in advance =] =]
Further advice on applying to a postgraduate teacher training course. If you are applying to Edge Hill University and would like any additional advice about writing a personal statement as part of your application please contact Course Enquiries on 01695 657000 or email [email protected]. Further tips and advice are also available on the Get ...
Your personal statement should be: no more than 1000 words. written in the first-person. grammatically correct - we suggest writing in a document before adding to your application. your own work, don't copy from anywhere online. structured correctly with a clear introduction, evidenced paragraphs and a conclusion.
Postgraduate Teacher Education Personal Statements What is the personal statement? The personal statement is a short piece of writing (47 lines/4000 characters) which you are asked to submit in support of your application to study a PGDE/CE made through UCAS. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation for teaching.
Your personal statement can be up to 1000 words. 90% of successful candidates write 500 words or more. You could include: skills you have that are relevant to teaching. any experience of working with young people. your understanding of why teaching is important. your reasons for wanting to train to be a teacher.
If you want to write a personal statement for a primary school teacher job application, consider the steps below: 1. Check the instructions. In the job advertisement, you may find instructions or guidelines for writing your personal statement. A good first step is to look for these instructions to determine what the hiring organisation expects ...
A PGCE personal statement is written as part of the application process for teacher training and gives candidates an opportunity to showcase their skills and attributes.. PGCE candidates will only write one personal statement, which is used to apply for all of their preferred choices. Students upload their personal statement to the UCAS Teacher Training system, and it is submitted for all ...
Teacher Training Personal Statement Example (Primary PGCE) 4. I am currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies at Birmingham University. It is my ambition to go on to study for a Primary PGCE. I became interested in teaching whilst raising my own children. I have experienced first hand a child's apprehension and delight on ...
The personal statement is a major part of your application and this guidance gives an indication of the information you should include in it. We look for evidence of commitment, motivation and suitability for your chosen Teacher Education programme and we consider your personal statement alongside all other information supplied in your UCAS ...
Your personal statement is your first opportunity to show the school you're a great fit for the job, and gets you closer to being shortlisted for an interview. The more you show how your skills and interests match the school's ethos and values, the better. We've spoken to a range of teachers to get their top tips for success.
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 ...
Teacher Training Personal Statement Example (Primary PGCE) 5. I am a hard-working, responsible, friendly girl with a strong passion to pursue a career in primary school teaching. I believe that to become an excellent teacher you must have a desire to assist children in the learning process and this is one quality which I feel I definitely possess.
This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Education. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement. Recent developments in the social and political landscapes have strongly highlighted the importance of education for children in schools. Studying an undergraduate degree in History ...
This personal statement is unrated. I am hard-working, confident and conscientious and have a keen desire to be a primary school teacher. Working every day at an after school club for primary age students has given me excellent experience in this field and confidence in my ability in it. I am organised, reliable and enthusiastic and I work well ...
Example personal statement for PGCE secondary. I became interested in teaching after realising how much I had benefited from excellent and passionate teachers. They exuded a real sense of enthusiasm for learning, which inspires me to pass on that passion. My love for computing developed during my A-levels after discovering an aptitude for ...