Length of cover letter for teaching vacancy

[user1463172942]

Quick question please!

I'm writing a cover letter for a new primary teaching job. It's the first one I've done since I was an NQT as I've been at the same school since then. This role is maths subject leader so I need to talk about a fair bit of my experience. It's 2.5 A4 sides in font 12... is this a bit much?

Thanks!

[fourcorneredcircle]

Between 1.5-2 sides is better.
Some editing to be done sorry!

[user1463172942]

Thought that might be the case

[cricketballs]

you can also go down to size 10 font (I wouldn't recommend going any smaller) and reduce margins if needed!

[user1463172942]

Ooh will try playing around with the font.

I know in a formal letter you should have your address to the top right hand corner and the school address below to the left.

Do you think it would be too informal to take the school address out (this will give me about 5 lines)?

[cricketballs]

I wouldn't recommend removing their address

[user1463172942]

OK thanks

[Shadowboy]

I was told smaller than font size 11 was inappropriate. No more than 2 sides- some applications even state this as a maximum.

I would leave their address but only partially drop it down on the left by perhaps 2 lines.

[Itchyandscratchy]

I wouldn't reduce the fonts and the margins, tbh. It looks like you can't edit and think the people reading the application won't notice! I'd stick to essential points with the idea that you'd be asked to provide details at interview if they're interesting enough.

Anything that shows impact on pupil progress and your role affecting whole school issues are the main things in an application like this.

If it's a letter accompanying a formal application form, I wouldn't worry about traditional letter format either. IME it's more usual to give it a heading "Statement to support application of [your name] for post of [job title]". Only make it look like a letter if it's not with an application form, iyswim.

Good luck!

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Sorry itchyandscratchy but I totally disagree. Definitely lay it out like a proper letter!

[Itchyandscratchy]

Fair enough. I'm talking from secondary SLT experience and to be fair, each Head and governing body have their own prefs. I'm just going by my own exp which may not be relevant to primary.
Will def stand by the font size comment though!

[cricketballs]

When I've had to reduce font/margins I've always been invited to interview

[Charmatt]

I've short-listed and interviewed for several teaching jobs and have no problem with narrow margins or font size 10. My tips would be to use Arial or Calibri and make sure you mention something about the ethos of the school or what you liked about it if you visited. Write about how you have developed so far and how you think you will compliment the school by being employed. Mention training and initiatives you have been involved with but most of all talk about the pupils and how you have helped them as well as how their progress has inspired you. Good luck.

[Tattsyrup]

I applied for a teaching post just last week, my first application in six years. My cover letter was one side of A4, Ariel in 11. The "supporting information" section on the application form itself was two pages at Ariel 10, though. The cover letter was only three fairly short paragraphs: one saying why I was writing (to apply for the job, obviously), the next giving a little information about where I work now and my day-to-day responsibilities, the third saying what I could offer the school. I covered the person specification on the application form. I've yet to hear anything though, so I don't know if what I've done is correct!
Good luck with the application!

[Charmatt]

If you have included everything else you wanted to say in the 'supporting information' there is no point repeating it in a letter. In a lot of the applications I have sifted in my time, people will often write 'see enclosed letter' in that section, or added extra paper to that section an not included a separate letter. As long as you can personalise it and sow you have put some thought into why you would be a good fit for the school, then you should be ok. One thing you can't factor in is others applications and how they fair against yours.

[user1463172942]

Right. Have done a bit of editing, shrunk the margins a little and gone to font 12.

The application form is very basic so all the info is in the letter. Sent it now so just got to keep everything crossed!

[user1463172942]

Thanks for all the advice!