One of the first things you need to consider when applying for jobs in drama education is a fully engaging CV. Not only must it accurately reflect your skills, abilities and experience, but it also needs to convey your passion for drama and teaching.

By using a free drama teacher CV template, you can get the right format as well as ensuring nothing is missed out – helping you to land the right job for your career, no matter what stage you happen to be at in it. Using a sample is a good starting point to make your application stand out from many others and will help you to get your foot in the door.

In this article, we’ll answer your most pressing questions, including how to choose the right format and write a compelling cover letter:

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    Drama teacher CV sample

    Drama-teacher-CV-sample

    Edward Wallace

    5 Kendell Street, Sheffield S1 5EH/p>

    07912345678

    Edward.Wallace@example-example.co.uk

    Professional summary

    Inspiring professional plans and delivers high quality sessions for students to practice and improve artistic skills. Motivates and encourages students, providing safe space for growth and exploration.

    Work history

    September 2018 – Current

    Sheffield Arts School – Sheffield

    Drama Teacher

    • Incorporated student feedback on rehearsals to improve performance and choreograph better routines.
    • Increased student learning development by preparing innovative, creative and engaging lesson plans while keeping within curriculum requirements.
    • Proactively mentored students throughout training, providing constructive feedback to maximise performance skills.

    January 2016 – August 2018

    Sheffield Primary School – Sheffield

    Teaching Assistant

    • Supervised students to maintain adherence with health and safety requirements, inside and outside classroom environments.
    • Organised extracurricular activities to drive social, emotional and intellectual development.
    • Prepared positive, productive learning environments with engaging wall displays and effective resources.

    Skills

    • Student development techniques
    • Event planning
    • Curriculum development
    • Singing
    • Choreography
    • Lesson planning
    • Acting and performing
    • Play directing
    • Student capability assessment
    • Activity-based learning

    Education

    University of London London – 2015

    Bachelor of Arts English Literature

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    Choosing the right format for your drama teacher CV

    Before you dive into the details, you must choose a drama teacher CV format that showcases your most desirable aptitudes. Recruiters suggest using one of the following structures – the reverse-chronological CV or skills-based CV.

    So, which is best for drama teachers? When applying to work with children in an educational setting, employers prefer candidates with relevant backgrounds. As such, stick to a reverse-chronological format that prioritises your employment history. Include:

    • Up-to-date contact details
    • Work experience – starting from your current or most recent job
    • Key skills – note specialisms, like comedy or Shakespeare
    • Education – core, professional and academic achievements
    • Additional information – have you got any outside interests?

    Any teaching appointment requires specific qualifications, so you might want to swap the work experience and education sections around. This will quickly reassure employers that you’re suitable for the role. Alternatively, you can make sure those qualifications are highlighted in your personal statement.

    If you’re a recent graduate, it’s still best to use a reverse-chronological format. Talk about teaching placements, internships, and volunteering in place of work experience. List three to six responsibilities for each position, and remember to let your enthusiasm shine through!

    Choose your format now

    How to write a CV for a drama teacher

    Time to start writing your drama teacher CV. The best approach is to break down each section and understand its specific purpose and requirements. Below, we cover all bases of how to write a CV for a drama teacher:

    Adding contact details to your drama teacher CV

    Many job applications get separated from the original correspondence, so it’s essential to note your contact details at the top of your CV. This is the only way employers can reach you to discuss the next steps. Include:

    • Full name – middle names don’t matter
    • Address – a general location is often enough
    • Phone number – and turn mobiles off silent
    • Email address – keep it work appropriate

    Example of contact section for a drama teacher CV

    Angela Seaton
    1a Example Road
    Exampleton, EX8 7JD
    07848 123456789 a_seaton@examplemail.co.uk

    How to write a personal statement for your drama teacher CV

    personal statement is a short paragraph, usually three to four sentences long, highlighting your best qualities and proudest accomplishments. It’s the first thing an employer will read, so make every word count. The structure looks a little like this:

    • Opening sentence – mention years of experience and specialisms
    • Middle sentence(s) – talk about what you can achieve
    • Closing sentence – reiterate your unique skill set

    There’s a knack to sounding professional and confident in your personal statement. The best examples:

    • Write in the third person – it sounds less self-centred
    • Only include information relevant to the job description
    • Use positive adjects – like “devoted”, “patient”, and “empathetic”

    To make your statement stand out, substantiate claims with numbers. After all, anyone can say they’re a successful drama teacher – it means very little without evidence!

    Can you provide tangible results to set you apart from the competition? For example, you might have achieved a 91% pass rate at GSCE level. Or organised a multi-year live performance with over 100 participants and 500 spectators.

    Example of personal statement for a drama teacher CV

    Passionate drama teacher with several years of teaching experience. Achieved the relevant qualifications to teach in the UK and continued professional development since graduating. Highly adept at teaching acting skills, theatrical set design, and dance. Specialisms include comedy and encouraging students to try their hand at comedic performances in any dramatic situation.

    OR

    Trained actor and dedicated drama teacher with a wealth of experience putting on student productions of classics, from Shakespeare to Wilde. Boasts a proven track record of being able to liaise well with school music departments for co-productions of musicals. An efficient organiser who keeps track of all the paperwork and record storage required in modern educational settings.

    How to present your work history on a drama teacher CV

    The work history section is perhaps the most interesting to employers. Alongside demonstrating job-specific skills, it reveals your career trajectory. Hiring managers can see how long you typically stay in a position, whether you’ve been promoted, and recurring strengths or weaknesses (through what you don’t mention). You can talk about:

    • Full-time and part-time roles
    • Temporary roles
    • Internships and work placements 
    • Summer jobs 
    • Volunteering

    Starting from your current or most recent position, mention:

    • Job title 
    • Company name and location
    • Employment dates
    • Summary of duties – between three and six

    You don’t want to sound robotic here. Instead, personalise this section to highlight real-world accomplishments. For instance, what sounds more exciting:

    “Created engaging comedy class plans.”

    OR

    “Devised a brand-new comedy course that led to a 62% uptake of students taking drama at AS and A Level.”

    Lastly, use a wealth of action verbs to channel enthusiasm. Employers read through hundreds of CVs, so this will catch their attention and keep them wanting more. You aren’t just “responsible for” learning resources – you “designed”, “streamlined”, or “pioneered” them.

    Example of work experience for a drama teacher CV

    Drama Teacher | Example School, Solihull. From September 2006 to present

    • Completed ITT and commenced AST.
    • Developed stand-up comedy and circus performance skills.
    • Improved grades of students taking GCSE drama and the number of students choosing the subject at A and AS levels.

    Teaching Assistant | Example School, Solihull. From September 2004 to July 2005

    • Gained experience working within a school setting.
    • Helped produce an end-of-term staging of “Guys and Dolls”.

    Skills worth having on your drama teacher CV

    The CV skills section of your drama teacher CV summarises your most sought-after attributes. It often determines who moves onto the interview stage, so it’s worth careful consideration.

    Illustrate technical knowledge and personality traits by combining hard and soft skills. Hard skills are job-specific, such as costume design and scripting. Soft skills are usually transferable – think “detail orientated” and “well organised”.

    When selecting hard skills, re-read the job specification to identify what the employer is looking for, then reflect a few of these traits back to them. While you don’t want to sound like you’re copying the advertisement, it’s a valuable exercise to guide the writing process.

    Talking about yourself can feel awkward, so ask friends, family, or former colleagues to help you with soft skills. For example, they might describe you as “self-motivated” even if you don’t feel like you are!

    Stuck for ideas? You might describe yourself like this:

    • “I can engage students with drama and theatricality, which improves their all-around education.”
    • “I am an effective communicator with students, parents, and all levels of school management.”
    • “I am funny and can teach students how to express themselves appropriately through humour.”

    Here are some essentials and nice-to-haves you could also include:

    Essential skills for a drama teacher

    • Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
    • Advanced Skills Teacher (AST)
    • Performance assessments
    • Theatrical knowledge
    • Class planning and grading

    Desirable aptitudes to set you apart

    • First aid training
    • Full, clean driving licence
    • Approachable nature
    • Knowledge of modern and classic plays
    • Specialisms – like comedy, screenwriting, or Shakespeare

    How to add education to your drama teacher CV

    As with any teaching position, you must prove that you have the correct qualifications to work in an educational environment. Employers won’t take your application further if you fail to mention your credentials.

    To become a drama teacher in a school, you’ll need to complete a university degree in Drama or Theatre Studies, alongside a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). Alternatively, pick a course that combines both, such as PGCE (Secondary) Drama. Here, you’ll focus on your development as a drama teacher rather than a performer.

    Whatever you choose, you’ll undertake teaching placements as part of your studies. You should mention these in the work experience section above.

    Here are a few things to outline when highlighting your qualifications:

    • School, college, university, or other training institution
    • Study start and end dates
    • Graduation dates
    • Qualification level – GSCE, A Level etc.
    • Course title – not required for secondary school

    Example of education for a drama teacher CV

    Example University, 2005-2006 PGCE (Secondary) in Drama

    Example University, 2001-2004 BA (Hons) 2:2 in English Literature

    Example College, 1999-2001 A Levels: English (B) and Drama and Theatre Studies (B) AS levels: French (C) and Business Studies (B)

    Example High School, 1994-1999 9 GCSEs: Grades A, B, and C

    Pair your drama teacher CV with a cover letter

    A captivating cover letter is a non-negotiable part of a job application. It’s the perfect place to grab the employer’s attention, spotlighting the unique skills you can bring to the position. Are you wondering how to write a cover letter that distinguishes you from everyone else? We recommend:

    • Having a powerful opening statement – quickly establish your expertise
    • Doing your research – learn about the school or company and tailor your cover letter to mirror their values
    • Playing the long game – talk about how you can develop the role in the future
    • Keeping it relevant – hiring managers are busy people, so don’t waffle
    • Leading with enthusiasm – ensure the text is upbeat, but don’t resort to flattery

    Top tips for drama teacher CV writing

    • Let your personality do the talking

      More than any other teacher, drama educators need to be lively and energetic, especially because children can feel awkward in group settings. Consequently, you must convey your enthusiasm for the subject throughout your cover letter and drama teacher CV. As mentioned, include positive adjectives and action words to reinforce your passion for the performing arts.
    • Concentrate on your education

      Education is vital for aspiring teachers, so underline your core, professional, and academic qualifications in detail. You can also note additional training to boost your chances of a call back, like First Aid and Special Educational Needs (SEN).
    • Display leadership qualities

      Managing a classroom of all ages, abilities, and personalities can be tricky. To prove that you're up to the task, give several examples of times you've displayed exceptional leadership qualities. You might have organised the end-of-year production or revolutionised the syllabus for renewed interest.
    • Include your specialisms

      Specialisms are what sets you apart from run-of-the-mill candidates. Did you have a particular interest at university, like Oscar Wilde or Arthur Miller? Perhaps, you're a talented comedian who can bring something new and exciting to the existing course? Don't be afraid to shout about your talents – it might just give you the edge!
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    Your drama teacher CV questions answered

    What are the responsibilities of a drama teacher?

    Drama teachers have countless duties, and every day looks different. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

    • Encouraging students’ creativity through fun and engaging lessons
    • Assessing performances and grading theory papers
    • Organising school events, like talent shows and plays
    • Managing a classroom of various abilities
    • Interacting with parents
    • Collaborating with other departments

    What are the skills of a drama teacher?

    Drama teaching comprises two complementary skill sets. On the one hand, you must enjoy theatre and performances. On the other, you need experience guiding pupils through a structured curriculum. Employers require:

    • Knowledge of the performing arts
    • Background in education
    • Patience in stressful situations
    • Ability to problem-solve
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
    • Creative nature

    Can you teach drama with an English degree?

    English and drama are complementary courses. You’ll be pleased to know that you can teach drama with an English degree as long as you complete a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). However, your application might not be as strong as someone with a Drama or Theatre Studies degree.

    If you’re an English student who wants to teach drama, improve your chances by:

    • Joining the local or campus drama society
    • Writing screenplays and curating a portfolio
    • Performing in university productions

    How much does a drama teacher earn in the UK?

    It’s difficult to say how much a drama teacher earns – the amount fluctuates depending on experience and location. However, most salaries sit between £31,000 to £36,000 per year. Visit popular job boards and scan through a few advertisements to get a more accurate figure.

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    Create a drama teacher CV that stands out

    This drama teacher CV sample is just one of many, all of which provide key insights into how best to write your CV. Jobseekers should check out the tools and CV builder on this site for more advice.

    The CV builder includes a selection of pre-made CV templates to make the process easier. Once you’ve found the most suitable structure, check out our CV examples for writing tips and tricks.

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