How to Apply for Teaching Vacancies That Fit Your Values and Goals

If you’re thinking about either making the move into a teaching vacancy or have previous teaching experience and want to take that next step in your career, you might be thinking – How can I find a job that really fits with my values and goals? Well, Prospero Teaching can help make those questions a little more easy to answer. We have over 25 years in placing educational staff across the UK and internationally, we’ve seen firsthand which application styles resonate with value-driven roles. In this blog we will break down some of the key aspects on how to make job applications less daunting.

Tailoring Your Application for the Right Teaching Vacancies

When applying for teaching vacancies, aligning your application with your values isn’t just nice to have, it can help you stand out. By customising your CV with the following points, it can set you apart from other candidates in the education field.

• Emphasise your work experience that reflects your values, for example previous community projects you may have worked on or pastoral work.
• Showcase student outcomes that reflect the impact you have made as a result of your work.
• Include any voluntary or extracurricular roles that align with your values.

Adapt your cover letter / personal statement:

• Reference the school’s mission, ethos or value statements
• Show why this particular vacancy fits your goals – it’s not just “any job”
• Use concrete examples from your past roles that prove these statements to be true. For example, “In my previous role, I restructured a scheme of work to prioritise student voice…”

Mention any relevant certifications or training you have undertaken that will set you apart from other applicants.

• CPD courses, behaviour management training, safeguarding – these are just a few of the many courses you can give examples of in your application.

Prospero Learning – a part of Prospero Group is a fully accredited online CPD platform. We offer a wide range of online courses that can help you take that next step in your teaching career.

Prospero Learning cpd accredited online courses lady working on laptop

You can also ask colleagues, previous managers or peers who share your values to be referees. If possible, connect with current teachers within the school/trust to understand the culture and get insight.

At Prospero Teaching, our consultants work closely with headteachers and business managers, so we know what schools truly value in candidates who reflect their ethos. As an approved supplier on national education frameworks, we guide candidates to present themselves in a way that aligns with the priorities of MATs, local authorities and academies. Our processes are transparent, supportive and honest. Hear from one of our candidates about their experience working with Prospero Teaching.

Preparing for Teaching Interviews

Once your application lands you an interview, preparation is key – especially when you are aiming for a teaching vacancy that aligns with your values. Throughout your interview, be prepared to talk about why you chose teaching and how your goals overlap with the profession. This can naturally lead into a conversation about your passion and drive for this role.

Think about a time when your values were tested, for example, student behaviour or workload etc. Challenging experiences are one thing but how you respond to them can make all of the difference.

When preparing for your teaching interview, be ready to talk about your long-term vision. This could be something as simple as where you see yourself in 5 or even 10 years and how this specific role can help you get there.

Some more key takeaways that we would recommend is:

• Inquire about professional development and how the school supports their staff
• Question about the culture and wellbeing: what does the school do to support teacher workload, mental health and a healthy work-life balance.
• Practice a mock interview with a friend or mentor. Record your answers to reflect on your tone, clarity and authenticity.
• Plan a thoughtful thank you message referencing something specific from the interview. For example: “I appreciated hearing about your focus on teacher wellbeing and workload…”

Matching School Cultures with your Personal Values

The visual guide below illustrates how school culture relates to teacher retention and the kind of cultural factors that align with value driven teaching. We recommend that candidates to evaluate school culture just as carefully as salary because alignment in values often matters more.

data around teacher retention

Data sourced from the School & College Voice Survey (September 2024), GOV.UK, the Department for Education (DfE) Teacher & Leader Development Statistics (ECF) 2023/24 and 2022/23 and Working Lives of Teachers & Leaders Survey – Wave 3 (2024), GOV.UK

Understanding Your Goals Before Applying

Before applying to teaching vacancies, it is vital to be clear on what you really want – whether that be clear progression, wellbeing support or mission-driven work. Less than half of teachers report high job satisfaction regularly, according to a 2023 survey. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-lives-of-teachers-and-leaders-wave-2/working-lives-of-teachers-and-leaders-wave-2-summary-report

More than half of educators say poor school culture impacts their wellbeing. This shows how critical cultural alignment really is not just in education but in every industry. https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/media/0h4jd5pt/twix_2023.pdf

When you are applying for a teaching vacancy, you are not just choosing a job, you are choosing a place where your values will be supported or undermined. By having clear goals eg. Leadership or prioritising work/life balance helps you filter out jobs where the culture doesn’t match. We’ve seen many teachers accept roles that look great on paper, only to realise that the culture and values didn’t match their goals. That’s why having a clear vision is key. At Prospero Teaching we can guide candidates in building long-term career goals, not just their next job.

Making the Final Decision

Ultimately, making the final decision comes down to choosing a teaching vacancy that supports your values, ambitions and wellbeing. Trust your instincts, revisit your goals and don’t be afraid to ask questions before accepting an offer. At Prospero Teaching, we support candidates through every stage of this process, ensuring the role you choose truly feels right not just for now, but for your long-term career.

Whether you’re exploring new opportunities, relocating, or stepping into your first teaching role, by registering with Prospero Teaching we ensure that you’re supported, informed and set up for success from start to finish.