We recently provided a Free FE CV Template to help get you started on the first step towards landing a job in Further Education (FE). While your CV can and should be so much more than a list of prior experience, it’s inevitable that in maintaining a clear, concise, tabular CV, you’re going to miss out on a bit of ‘colour’ or personality.
In another article, I discussed the values-based nature of FE, as well as the need to address criteria from the Job Description (JD) directly within your application. It would be impractical to amend your CV each and every time to try to cover all of this.
Which is where your Cover Letter comes in. Just about every FE job application will require you to submit a Cover Letter, outlining your interest in and suitability for the role. Those infamous fiddly HR portals might not call it a Cover Letter, but that’s what it is!
Tips for your FE cover letter
Generally, this will be a 1000-word (approx.) opportunity for you to give some colour to your CV, by linking your previous experience, knowledge, skills, and achievements to the values of the institution and the criteria for the role.
More recently, I’ve come across versions of this which break that wordcount down against:
- Each of the values of the institution.
- Each of the criteria from the JD / Person Specification.
- A series of more specific questions relating to the role.
I repeat, it’s still a Cover Letter.
So, like with your CV, it’s worth regularly maintaining a ‘skeleton’ Cover Letter template, to avoid having to reinvent the wheel at short notice.
To reiterate some of my sentiments from the Free FE CV Template:
- Your Cover Letter should align with your CV, LinkedIn profile, and any communications you have with the institution.
- Canva will help you to avoid bland, colourless formatting.
- Keep it to 2 pages (1500 words) maximum, unless specified otherwise.
- Save it as a PDF before you send it.
Final tip, don’t just repeat your CV in chronological prose – that’s a waste of everyone’s time.
In your Cover Letter, bring the contents of your CV to life, using specific examples and quantifiable impact to demonstrate how you embody the values of the institution and meet the criteria for the role.
Free Template
- Text you should change is in italics,
- See further advice below for each section.
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Your Full Name
Further Education Curriculum Manager with over a decade of experience in curriculum development, quality improvement, Ofsted Inspection, and delivering outstanding outcomes for learners.
Phone Email LinkedIn
Dear [Principal/CEO], [Line Manager], and [HR Contact],
It is my pleasure to submit my application for the position advertised as Curriculum Manager for Performing Arts at Newham College.
With a background in the Performing Arts industry, and 10 years’ experience in education, I believe I would make an ideal candidate, bringing a wealth of knowledge and skills that meet and exceed the criteria for the role. Moreover, this presents the ideal opportunity for me to commit long-term to a new, exciting challenge in my career.
I meet and exceed the qualification requirements for the role, with BA (Hons) and MA qualifications developing my subject expertise, and a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training underpinning my pedagogical approach. I have also undertaken [leadership training or CPD?], developing my leadership style, to prepare me for the line management, coaching, and team leadership responsibilities of this role.
As I hope is evident in my application, I feel passionately about this exciting opportunity to join Newham College. I strongly believe that the experience, knowledge, and skills I have set out above clearly demonstrate my suitability as an ideal candidate for this role, and I look forward to your consideration of my application.
Many thanks in advance, and if there is any further information I can provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
Advice for the introduction paragraph
Now, think about those values. This is your opportunity to set the scene in terms of your core motivations for the role, and how these align with the institution’s values.
For example, my own experience as an FE student changed my life, and I have since devoted my career to delivering that same transformative experience for others. As such, I have developed a passionate, student-centred approach, focused on inclusivity, quality, and creativity.
Advice for the supporting paragraphs
From here onwards, use each paragraph to address criteria from the JD one by one (or perhaps bundle up a few at a time if possible). Alongside each of these, give a specific example from a specific role which demonstrates your achievement of the criteria.
If the criterion is “experience of successfully managing a five-figure departmental budget”, you could say…
In my previous role as Course Co-ordinator for Performing Arts (Acting) at Peterborough College, I regularly played a leading role in the management of our five-figure departmental budget.
For example, I was central to annual forecasting meetings, planning and negotiating priority investments for the department, such as technical equipment.
In turn, I took responsibility for the procurement and Purchase Order for this equipment, before monitoring and evaluating its utilisation – improving the quality of shows and student grades throughout the year – in order to feedback on the impact of the investment.
If the criterion is “knowledge of quality assurance systems”, you could say…
During my 10 years working in education, I have acquired extensive knowledge of internal and external quality assurance systems.
In every year of my career, my teaching has been subject to observation, and my assessment and feedback work has been subject to Internal and External Verification, with positive outcomes and continuous improvement.
I have experienced 5 Ofsted Inspections, allowing me to develop an in-depth understanding of the Education Inspection Framework, and make positive, proactive contributions to ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ judgements.
Finally, I am knowledgeable and strive for excellence in a wide range of FE Key Performance Indicators, such as learner attendance, punctuality, retention, achievement, high grades, destinations, and learner voice.
If the criterion is “strong IT skills”, you could say…
I continuously seek to develop my pedagogical and leadership practices to embed innovative technology in my work, improving efficiency and quality.
For example, in 2024, I attended voluntary CPD for TeacherMatic (an AI lesson planning tool), experimenting with this in my own teaching, before delivering training to my course team to improve the efficiency of admin and planning in our department, allowing us to focus on other priorities such as employer engagement, curriculum innovation, and student support.
Advice for the summary paragraph
I usually save the broad criteria relating to character/personality for a summary paragraph.
For example, I am at home in the fast-paced environment of FE, and with a background in Performing Arts and sport, I am a naturally collaborative team player, with the ability to take charge and make bold decisions when required.
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