School management

Head teacher (school principal) CV: example and template

This example is for head teachers and deputy heads of primary schools, secondary schools and school complexes, and for teachers applying in a competition for headship or looking for work at a private school.

The selection panel and the governing authority want to know which school you run, how you manage staff and the budget, how you organise the school year, how you carry out pedagogical supervision, which projects and investments you have delivered and what pupils' results are. We show you how to describe this on your CV.

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Example CV: head teacher

All the details in this example are fictional. Treat it as a model of layout and wording, and replace the content with your own experience.

Jolanta Szewczyk

Primary school head teacher

Kalisz +48 123 456 789 jolanta.szewczyk@example.com

Professional profile

Head teacher of a primary school with 620 pupils and 58 teachers, in post for 7 years, previously deputy head and maths teacher. I manage staff, the budget and the organisation of the school year, carry out pedagogical supervision, work with the governing authority, the parents' council and institutions and win funding from projects. The school's eighth-grade exam results have been above the regional average for 4 years, and funding from 3 projects paid for modernising subject labs.

Work experience

Primary school head teacher

09.2019 - present

Primary school, 620 pupils, Kalisz

  • Staff of 58 teachers and 20 administrative and support staff.
  • School budget, organisational plan and supervision plan.
  • Eighth-grade exam results above the regional average for 4 years.
  • Funding from 3 projects to modernise subject labs.
  • Work with the governing authority, parents' council and institutions.

Deputy head and maths teacher

09.2009 - 08.2019

Primary school, Kalisz

  • Timetable and cover.
  • Lesson observations.
  • Maths lessons in years 4 to 8.

Education

Master's degree, mathematics, and postgraduate studies in education management

2000 - 2005

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan

Skills

  • Running the school and staff
  • School budget and finance
  • Organisational plan and the school year
  • Pedagogical supervision
  • Winning project funding
  • Work with the governing authority and parents

Qualifications

  • Chartered teacher promotion level
  • Postgraduate studies in education management
  • Education law training, 2024

Languages

  • English: B2

Additional information

  • Expert for teachers' professional promotion

I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).

How to write a head teacher CV

Professional summary

Write which school you run or want to run, how big it is and what you do. Add results, for example exam results or funding won. The panel is looking for a head who manages people and finances well, knows education law and has a vision for the school's development.

Deputy head with 6 years of experience and a chartered teacher, after postgraduate studies in education management. I draw up the timetable, organise cover and carry out lesson observations. I am applying in a competition for primary school headship.

Experience: duties and achievements

Describe the school, number of pupils and staff, budget, organisation of the year, supervision, projects, investments and results. Show results in numbers. Add your promotion level and education management qualifications. Also say whether you have experience leading a school through organisational changes or building works.

Weaker: Management.

Better: Staff of 58 teachers and 20 administrative and support staff.

Weaker: Results.

Better: Eighth-grade exam results above the regional average for 4 years.

Weaker: Projects.

Better: Funding from 3 projects to modernise subject labs.

Skills worth listing

List managing staff, the budget, organising the year, supervision, projects and cooperation. In your soft skills show leadership, communication and decisiveness.

Professional skills

  • Running a school
  • Budget
  • Organisational plan
  • Pedagogical supervision
  • Projects
  • Education law

Personal skills

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Decisiveness
  • Resolving conflicts
  • Vision

Qualifications

List your promotion level, education management qualifications and education law training. In Poland the requirements for headship candidates are set by regulations, so check that you meet them all.

How to become a head teacher

Most people apply in a competition after several years as a teacher, deputy head or team leader. On your CV show the organisational tasks you already do.

Attach your concept for the school if the competition requires it. Your CV and concept should tell the same story.

Tailoring your CV to the job offer

A primary school looks for organisation and exam results, a secondary school for matura results and work with universities, and a private school for developing its offer and relations with parents. Move to the top what the job ad is about.

The most common mistakes on a head teacher CV

Questions and answers

What should a head teacher put on a CV?

The school, number of pupils and staff, budget, organisation, supervision, projects, results, promotion level and qualifications.

Which qualifications are needed?

Usually a promotion level, school experience and education management qualifications.

Which results are worth giving?

Exam results, funding won, investments and the development of the school's offer.

Can a deputy head apply in a competition?

Yes, deputy head experience is very good preparation.

Create a head teacher CV in the builder

In the CV Majster builder you enter your details step by step and see right away what the document looks like. You can copy the wording from this page and adapt it to yourself. The finished CV as a PDF costs a one-off PLN 5, with no subscription, and you see the preview before you pay.

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See also

Resume examples for similar jobs

Career guide

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