- How do I apply for jobs on Teach in Herts?
Once you’ve found a vacancy you’re interested in, click ‘Apply’ on the job advert. You’ll need to have completed your online application form, providing the information requested by the school or setting. If you don’t already have a Teach in Herts account, you’ll need to register before you can apply.
When you click ‘Apply’, you’ll also have the option to type or paste your cover letter into the relevant box. Your personal statement will be displayed as part of the application, giving you the opportunity to review and tailor it specifically to the job you’re applying for.
You can save your progress as you go using the ‘Save’ button at the end of each section and return to complete your application later. When you’re ready to submit, check your details carefully and click ‘Submit’ before the vacancy closing date.
You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted.
- Can I apply using my CV?
To meet safer recruitment requirements, schools cannot accept applications made using a CV alone. Under the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) statutory guidance, schools must collect specific information from every applicant using a standardised online application form.
Teach in Herts uses a standardised online application form that is fully compliant and ensures you provide the information schools need as part of the safer recruitment process.
You can use your CV to help prepare your application and provide details about your experience, skills and qualifications, but you’ll need to complete the online application form when applying for a vacancy.
- What is the difference between a personal statement and a cover letter?
A personal statement and a cover letter both help you showcase your suitability for a role, but they serve slightly different purposes.
A personal statement is part of the application form and focuses on how your skills, experience, values and knowledge match the requirements of the role. For school jobs, it is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the school’s ethos, your commitment to supporting children and young people, and how you meet the person specification.
You can create your personal statement in advance as part of your online application form, and will have the opportunity to edit it when you make a job application to ensure it matches that school and role perfectly.
A cover letter is a separate document that is often sent alongside the application. It is usually used to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the role and highlight your key strengths.
- Can I use the same personal statement for every job?
It is best practice to tailor your personal statement for each role. Read the job description and person specification carefully, and explain how your skills, experience and knowledge meet the specific requirements of the position.
Avoid using exactly the same personal statement for every application. A tailored statement shows the school that you have taken the time to understand the role and can demonstrate why you are a suitable candidate.
Use examples from your experience wherever possible and make sure you address the key points outlined in the person specification.
- How much employment history do I need to provide?
As part of the safer recruitment process, schools need to account for your full history since leaving school. Your employment history should therefore include all periods of employment, education and unemployment, starting with your most recent activity.
The system will alert you if you have left any gaps in your employment history, and you will need to account for those gaps before you can apply for a job.
For any periods when you were not employed or in education, please provide a brief explanation under ‘Employer/Other Activity’ (for example, family leave, travelling or caring responsibilities) and include the start and end dates, leaving the other fields blank.
Providing a complete history helps schools carry out the appropriate safer recruitment checks and supports their responsibility to help keep children safe.
- Why am I getting an ‘Employment Gap’ error on my application?
As part of the safer recruitment process, schools need to account for your full history since leaving school, including all periods of employment, education and unemployment. If there is a period of time that has not been accounted for in your application, you’ll receive an ‘Employment Gap’ error.
The error will show you the dates of the gap. Simply add a new entry under ‘Employer/Other Activity’ and explain what you were doing during that period, for example family leave, travelling, caring responsibilities or unemployment. Enter the dates shown in the error and you can leave the other fields blank.
Once the gap has been explained, the ‘Employment Gap’ error should clear and you can continue with your application
- Why am I getting the message ‘You haven't indicated you're interested in this job type’ when applying for a job?
This message means you haven’t selected the relevant job type in your Teach in Herts application form. To continue, go back to your candidate dashboard, where you’ll see a list of job types. Here you will need to select the job types you're interested in.
Select the relevant job type for the role you’re applying for and click ‘Save’. The job types include Teaching, Leadership, Professional & Support (including roles such as Teaching Assistants and LSAs) and Early Years. Your selection determines which sections of the application form you need to complete and will unlock the relevant sections for you to fill in.
- Can I save my application and complete it later?
Yes! You can save your application at any point and return to complete it later. Each section of the application form has a ‘Save’ button, so your progress will be saved to your Teach in Herts account, and you don’t need to complete the application in one sitting.
When you’re ready to continue, simply log back into your Teach in Herts account and return to your application.
Remember to allow enough time to complete and submit your application before the vacancy closing date. Saving your application does not submit it.