Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software tools schools and districts use to screen resumes. They scan for keywords and simple structure. If your resume lacks key terms, the ATS may filter it out before a human reads it.

For a Primary Teacher, ATS looks for terms like "lesson planning", "classroom management", "differentiated instruction", "phonics", "literacy", "formative assessment", "IEP support", "behavior management", "curriculum mapping", and any required certifications like "Teaching License" or "Early Childhood Certification".

• Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Certifications".
• Include grade levels and subjects taught, such as "Grade 2 - literacy and math".
• Naturally weave keywords from job ads into bullets and skills.

Avoid complex layout elements. Don’t use tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, or graphs. Those often break parsing and remove important text.

Pick standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save as .docx or simple PDF. Fancy templates often confuse ATS and hide text.

Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms. Don’t title "Classroom Leadership" when the ad asks for "classroom management". Also avoid putting critical info in headers or footers. ATS may ignore them. Finally, don’t leave out key skills like phonics or IEP experience. Those omissions can stop you from moving forward.

Pick a simple template that highlights your classroom impact and teaching skills. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent teaching roles appear first and so hiring managers scan quickly.

Keep the length to one page if you have under 10 years of full-time teaching. Use two pages only if you have long relevant experience, published curriculum, or leadership roles.

Choose clear, ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri or Georgia. Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for section headers.

Give each section breathing room. Aim for 0.4-0.6 inch margins and consistent spacing between headings and bullets.

Use standard headings like "Contact," "Summary," "Teaching Experience," "Education," "Certifications," and "Skills." Put classroom metrics and age ranges in bullets.

List achievements with short bullets that start with action verbs. Quantify where you can, for example class size, assessment gains, or parent engagement numbers.

Avoid heavy graphics, complex columns, or tables that confuse ATS. Keep color minimal and use black or dark navy for text.

Don’t overstuff your resume with unrelated roles. Leave out old jobs that don’t show teaching skills unless they add value.

Common mistakes include inconsistent dates, tiny fonts to fit more text, and unclear section order. Check the file type before sending; PDF usually preserves layout.

Purpose: A tailored cover letter matters for a Primary Teacher. It adds personality to your application and shows why you want this school. It complements your resume and shows how you will support young learners.

Key sections:

• Header: Put your contact details, the school's name, and the date at the top.
• Opening paragraph: Name the Primary Teacher role you want. Show real enthusiasm for the school. Say one strong qualification or where you found the vacancy.
• Body paragraphs: Link your classroom experience to the job needs. Highlight lesson planning, classroom management, differentiated instruction, and assessment skills. Mention specific projects, a measurable result, and soft skills like communication and teamwork. Use keywords from the job description and match them to examples.
• Closing paragraph: Reiterate your interest in the Primary Teacher role and the school. State your confidence in contributing to pupils' progress. Request an interview or meeting and thank the reader.

Tone & tailoring: Keep your tone professional, confident, and friendly. Write like you speak to a colleague. Use short sentences and avoid generic templates. Tailor details to each school and role.

Start with a clear hook. Show one quick achievement in the first body paragraph. Use the second paragraph to show how your daily classroom work fits the school's needs. Finish with a direct call to action.

Keep sentences short and active. Cut extra words. Read the letter aloud to check tone and flow. Make one specific change for each school you apply to.

When you apply for a Primary Teacher role, small resume errors can cost you an interview. You want your skills, classroom impact, and child-centred approach to show clearly. Take a few extra minutes to polish content, fix grammar, and highlight measurable results.

Below are common mistakes primary teacher candidates make. Each item shows a quick example and a simple fix you can apply right away.

If you're building a Primary Teacher resume, this page answers common questions and gives practical tips. You'll find clear advice on skills, layout, length, and showing classroom impact. Use these pointers to make your application easier to read and stronger.