If you’re an early career teacher (ECT), a well-written personal statement can be the bridge between you and an interview at the school you really want to work in. But knowing how to write one (and where to start) can feel overwhelming.
While Googling examples of ECT personal statements can sometimes be helpful, it can also leave you feeling more confused than confident. There’s a reason for that. Although guidance is useful, it’s the personal touches in your statement that make you stand out. Following someone else’s template word-for-word is a risky move, and one that hiring managers can spot a mile off.
Let’s be honest: most people find personal statements tedious, especially when you’re expected to tailor them for multiple applications. That’s why many ECTs choose to work with agencies like Protocol Education, where you can access roles without having to handcraft dozens of statements.
However, if you’re set on a particular role that requires a personal statement, here’s how to approach it with confidence.
What Is the Personal Statement Actually For?
At its core, your personal statement needs to show the school that:
You’re the right person for the role
You’re the right fit for their school
You’ll make a positive difference to their pupils
Notice how often the word their appears? That’s intentional.
A one-size-fits-all ECT personal statement won’t cut it. Schools can spot a generic statement instantly, and it’s unlikely to land you an interview.
So where do you begin?
Read Everything (Yes, Everything)
Start by reading all the documents in the application pack:
The job advert
Job description
Person specification
Application guidance
Grab a highlighter and mark anything that feels important. Pay close attention to what makes the school unique: their ethos, values, teaching approach, and priorities. These details are gold when it comes to tailoring your statement.
Get Personal with the Person Specification
Next, focus on the essential criteria in the person specification.
Write each point down and add notes underneath showing how you meet it. This could include:
Qualifications
Teaching placements or experience
Subject knowledge
SEN experience
Extra-curricular interests
Your approach to behaviour, inclusion, or learning
Be specific where you can. Schools want to picture you in their classrooms.
Build a Clear Structure
Strong personal statements usually follow a similar structure. Here’s a helpful framework for an ECT personal statement:
1. Your interests and expertise
Outline the subjects, age ranges, key stages, or SEN areas you’re most passionate about, especially where they align with the role.
2. Your teaching experience
Give a brief overview, then include a specific example that shows how you teach, support pupils, and create a positive learning environment.
3. Address the person specification
Highlight any additional skills or experience the school is looking for. This might include blended learning, SEND knowledge, pastoral support, or extracurricular contributions.
4. Your USP (unique selling point)
This is where you stand out. Ask yourself: why should they choose you?
Maybe the school has a sensory garden, and you’ve supported outdoor learning. Perhaps they run a chess club, and you’ve played competitively. Or you’ve volunteered extensively in SEN settings. Whatever it is, spell out the value you bring.
5. Your motivation and development
Sum up what you’ve learned so far in your training and experience, how you want to grow as a teacher, and why this school matters to you.
The “So What?” Test
Once your statement is written, go back and apply the so-what test.
For every sentence, ask:
So what does this show about me as a teacher?
So how does this benefit pupils?
If a point doesn’t clearly show how you’ll support students, rewrite it or remove it. This statement isn’t about what teaching gives you, it’s about what you give to learners.
And finally… proofread. Then proofread 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.
How ChatGPT Can Help You Write a Stronger Personal Statement
Writing a personal statement doesn’t mean starting from a blank page, and this is where tools like ChatGPT can help if used properly.
ChatGPT can:
Help you structure your statement
Rewrite sentences to sound clearer or more confident
Help you tailor language to a specific school or role
Turn bullet points into polished paragraphs
The key is to use it as a support tool, not a copy-and-paste solution.
For example, you can:
Paste in the job description and ask for key themes to address
Ask ChatGPT to refine a paragraph you’ve already written
Use it to reword sentences while keeping your experiences authentic
Always check the final version carefully and make sure it still sounds like you. Schools value honesty, clarity, and personality, and that’s something only you can provide.
