Crafting the Perfect SEND Tutor Application

Discover how to craft the ideal SEND Tutor application and explore an alternative to mainstream teaching. Gain insights into what education recruiters (KCSiE) Are seeking in your application.

When applying for the position of SEND Tutor/Teacher, your application must offer a comprehensive view of your past experiences, responsibilities, qualifications, and relevant training. Tailoring your application to match the specific role you're pursuing is the first step towards making a strong impression. Ensuring that your application is easy to navigate and completed with relevant information and transparency is equally vital. In this blog, we will be providing you with tips and guidance that will empower you as an applicant to stand out in your pursuit of becoming a dedicated SEND Tutor/Teacher.

What makes a great SEND Tutor?

SEND Tutors play a pivotal role in delivering trauma-informed, child-centred education to young individuals with diverse needs, whether in an online or in-person setting. Their presence is of utmost importance in the educational landscape as they provide crucial support to some of our most vulnerable young learners, enabling them to not only thrive but also find empowerment through education. The most effective SEND Tutors are characterised by their unwavering dedication to reshaping futures. They possess qualities of sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and passion for creating tailored lessons that cater to the unique needs of each young person.

Becoming a SEND Tutor empowers you to make a lasting impact on young people and their communities while being part of a close-knit, collaborative community dedicated to diverse educational needs. Enjoy professional autonomy and further your expertise with training in relational learning, trauma-informed approaches, and effective online strategies.

Building your CV

Your CV should effectively showcase your extensive employment history, ideally covering the last 10+ years of your work experience or from the time you completed your education. Key elements to emphasise in your CV include your work history, qualifications, and job responsibilities. To simplify the CV creation process, consider using our Free CV Builder designed specifically for Teachers and Tutors. This user-friendly tool has been crafted to assist educators in rapidly generating a concise and professional CV in minutes. It's structured to highlight qualifications, skills, and experiences that are particularly relevant to the fields of SEND and/or EAL teaching.

What recruiters are looking out for

Incorporating essential tutoring skills into your application is vital. Instead of merely listing these skills, a more effective approach is to provide real-life examples from your previous roles that vividly illustrate your proficiency. Here are some prevalent skills to consider featuring in your application:

• Active Listening: Share instances where your active listening skills have significantly benefited your young person by better understanding their needs and concerns.
• Relevant CPD (Continuing Professional Development): Share the additional training you've completed to enhance your skills and knowledge in a specific area.
• Experience in Supporting Diverse Needs and Levels: Describe the specific needs and levels you have worked with in the past.
• Communication: Articulate how your strong communication skills have facilitated clear, productive, and meaningful interactions with your young person.
• Subject Expertise: Emphasise your in-depth knowledge of specific subjects or areas of specialisation, detailing how this expertise adds value to your tutoring capabilities.
• Additional Relevant Experience: Emphasise other pertinent roles, like that of a teaching assistant.

Incorporating these examples into your application can make it more compelling, persuasive, and impactful.

It’s almost time to hit send!

Finally, remember to include referees that are relevant to your recent experiences, and don't overlook the crucial step of meticulously proofreading your application before hitting the "send" button. Nothing is more disheartening than discovering a mistake after your application has already been submitted—we've all been there!

We hope that these tips will help you when considering applying for tutor/teacher roles in the future. Approach your applications with confidence, and if you're actively seeking new SEND Tutor positions, take a moment to explore our current live opportunities. Or, if you require assistance in crafting your CV, don't hesitate to let us support you with our user-friendly CV builder. Your career journey awaits!

Once your CV is built, get applying. Search for jobs in your area and get in touch with Alternative Provision providers to find the right opportunity for you.