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Cover letter example

Primary school teacher cover letter example

In French state schools, teachers are assigned through a points-based system, so cover letters matter mostly for contract posts, private schools and international or bilingual schools.

In those cases, the reader is a headteacher or an académie recruiter who wants to know your levels, your approach to reading and maths, and how you work with families.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Application for a primary teacher position, [School name]

Dear [Hiring Manager's name],

I am applying for the primary teacher position at [School name] for the coming school year. I hold a [degree] and have taught for [x] years, first as a contract teacher in the académie of [Name], then in a bilingual private school in [City].

Most of my experience is with CE1 and CE2 classes. I work on reading fluency every day in short sessions, and I organise maths through manipulation before moving to written methods. Last year, I set up a reading partnership with a CM2 class: older pupils read with younger ones each week, which helped both groups and changed the atmosphere at break time.

Your school's bilingual project interests me. I teach in French and in English, and I am used to sharing the week with an English-speaking colleague, agreeing on vocabulary and rituals so that children move between the two languages without confusion. I also keep regular contact with parents through a class notebook and short meetings.

I would be glad to present my class organisation in an interview, or to observe a morning in your school.

Yours sincerely,[First name Last name][Phone number]

What to highlight

  • Your status and qualifications
  • The levels and types of classes you have taught
  • One teaching approach or project with results for pupils
  • How you handle diversity of needs in class
  • Your link with the school's project or curriculum

Mistakes to avoid

  • Writing a general text about the joy of teaching children.
  • Not stating your status and qualifications in the first paragraph.
  • Ignoring the school's project or language policy.
  • Using educational jargon without examples.

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Frequently asked questions

Who do I apply to for a contract post in a state school?

To the services of the académie, usually the departmental services of the Éducation nationale (DSDEN). Most académies publish a recruitment page with an online form for contract teachers. Attach a resume and a short letter mentioning your degree, experience with children and the département where you can work.

Can I teach in an international school in France with a foreign qualification?

Many international and bilingual schools recruit teachers trained abroad, especially for English-language programmes. They look for a recognised teaching qualification and experience of the curriculum they follow. For French state schools, foreign qualifications do not replace the CRPE, though EU teachers may use specific routes.

Is a letter in English acceptable?

For an international school teaching in English, yes, and some will ask for it. For a French state or private school, write in French, since you will teach and communicate with families in French. A short French version also shows your level.

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