Teacher Resume Keywords for ATS

ATS systems for Teacher roles prioritise Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), subject specialisms, Key Stage experience, and curriculum knowledge. Ensure your CV includes exact terminology from the job description, such as specific exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), national curriculum phases, and safeguarding credentials, as these are primary filters used by schools and academy trusts.

ATS keywords for a Teacher Resume

Use these as a checklist — include the ones that genuinely apply to you, matched to the wording of the job you are targeting.

Core skills

Curriculum planningDifferentiationAssessment for learningBehaviour managementLesson planningSafeguardingSEND supportFormative assessmentSummative assessmentPhonics instructionExam preparationProgress trackingNational Curriculum delivery

Tools & software

SIMSArborGoogle ClassroomMicrosoft TeamsTapestryEdulinkBromcomInteractive whiteboardsCPOMSAccelerated Reader

Soft skills

CommunicationAdaptabilityPatienceOrganisationTeamworkEmpathyTime management

Certifications & qualifications

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)PGCESafeguarding Level 1First Aid at WorkSENCO qualificationNPQ (National Professional Qualification)

How to get a Teacher Resume past the ATS

Include your QTS number and awarding body explicitly in your qualifications section, as many ATS scan for this identifier
List Key Stages taught (e.g., 'Key Stage 2', 'KS3', 'KS4') exactly as written in job descriptions rather than year groups alone
Name specific exam boards you have experience with (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC) as these are common search filters
Use both acronyms and full terms for qualifications (e.g., 'PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)') to match varied ATS configurations
Include subject specialism keywords precisely as listed in the person specification (e.g., 'Primary Mathematics', 'Secondary English', 'MFL')
Reference Ofsted grades and outcomes if applicable, as terms like 'Outstanding', 'Good', and 'Ofsted' are frequently searched

Before & after: Teacher Resume bullets

Before: Taught English to secondary students and marked their work

After: Delivered KS3 and KS4 English curriculum to classes of 30 students, achieving 78% Grade 4+ in GCSE AQA English Language through targeted intervention and formative assessment

Before: Planned lessons for my Year 2 class

After: Developed differentiated lesson plans for Year 2 (KS1) class of 28 pupils, incorporating phonics and National Curriculum objectives, resulting in 85% achieving expected standard in reading

Before: Helped students with special needs in the classroom

After: Provided tailored SEND support for 6 pupils with EHCPs, collaborating with SENCO to implement intervention strategies that improved progress by 1.5 sub-levels across core subjects

Teacher Resume keywords — FAQ

What keywords should a Teacher put on their Resume?

A Teacher Resume should include core skills such as Curriculum planning, Differentiation, Assessment for learning, Behaviour management, Lesson planning, Safeguarding, and name specific tools like SIMS, Arbor, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Tapestry. Always match the exact terms used in the job description you are applying to.

How do I make my Teacher Resume ATS-friendly?

Use a plain-text skills section, mirror the keywords from the job posting word-for-word, spell out acronyms once alongside their short form, and quantify your achievements. Include your QTS number and awarding body explicitly in your qualifications section, as many ATS scan for this identifier

What skills do employers look for in a Teacher?

Beyond technical skills, employers screen for Communication, Adaptability, Patience, Organisation. Relevant qualifications include Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), PGCE, Safeguarding Level 1.