Teacher cover letter for a secondary science post

Example written by CV Ajuste · Published 30 October 2026

The letter

Why this letter works

• The opening paragraph establishes the applicant’s teaching context with « Key Stage 3 science and GCSE combined science », then gives the qualifications requested in the example offer.
• The main paragraph explains practical lesson preparation through « risk assessments » and coordination with technicians.
• In the same paragraph, « quizzes and marked work » show how the example teacher identifies gaps and adjusts lessons.
• The main paragraph also describes a form tutor responsibility: « monitor attendance and follow the school’s safeguarding procedures ».

Teacher cover letter example for secondary science

The letter below uses a fictional candidate and a fictional vacancy. The schools and responsibilities form part of the example rather than a real application.

Objet : Application for Teacher of Science

Dear Sir or Madam,

Since September 2022, I have been a Science Teacher at Larchmere Community School in Nottingham, teaching Key Stage 3 science and GCSE combined science, including chemistry topics. I am applying for the Teacher of Science post at Brackenford Academy. I hold Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE in Secondary Science with Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, as well as a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Leicester.

For practical science lessons at Larchmere, I draw up risk assessments and coordinate with technicians to organise equipment. To assess pupils’ progress and adapt teaching for different needs, I use quizzes and marked work to identify gaps in understanding and adjust lessons. As a form tutor at Larchmere, I monitor attendance and follow the school’s safeguarding procedures alongside my science teaching responsibilities. At Aster Vale Academy in Derby, my science classes included pupils from Year 7 to Year 11; I also supported GCSE revision, prepared resources with the science department and discussed pupil progress with parents.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application at an interview.

Yours faithfully,

Owen Dallent

What a science department may look for

For the example vacancy, the school asks for Qualified Teacher Status and a relevant science degree. State your qualifications clearly and give the subject of your degree. If the vacancy specifies a qualification you do not hold, check the school’s requirements before applying rather than implying that you have it.

The example offer also asks for experience at Key Stages 3 and 4 and secure GCSE subject knowledge. Identify the year groups and courses you have taught, including your specialist science where relevant. A brief account of how you supported GCSE learning can help the reader understand the scope of your work.

Practical work matters in a science classroom. Explain your own part in preparing experiments, assessing risks or working with technicians. Describe the safety procedures you followed accurately, without suggesting that you held responsibilities outside your role.

Assessment and pupil support are also central to the example offer. A useful account names the evidence you used to identify a gap and explains how you changed a lesson in response. For safeguarding, refer to your experience following school procedures or working in a pastoral role, while keeping details about individual pupils confidential.

Adapt the example to your teaching experience

Start with your current or most relevant science teaching post. Give the key stages and subjects you teach, then select evidence that answers the school’s requirements. If your experience is in biology or physics rather than chemistry, make your own specialism clear and describe the courses you have taught.

Choose a practical lesson you prepared and explain your contribution. You might describe a risk assessment you completed or how you arranged equipment with a technician, provided those details are true for you. Keep the explanation brief enough to leave room for your approach to teaching.

For differentiation, describe an assessment method you used and one change you made after reviewing pupils’ work. The change could concern the explanation, resources or support offered to a group. Use an outcome only if you can substantiate it.

The example offer treats a STEM club or similar enrichment activity as an advantage. If you have supported one, explain what you did and who it was for. If you have not, leave it out and use the space for another relevant part of your experience.

Keep your letter consistent with your CV. CV Ajuste can help tailor your application to a vacancy using your own facts; review the result against your records before sending it.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not copy the example candidate’s qualifications or duties into your own application. Even familiar tasks such as writing risk assessments should appear only if you carried them out. Check the names of qualifications, institutions and previous employers against your records.

Avoid relying on broad claims about classroom ability. Give the reader a task you performed and enough context to understand it. Likewise, do not claim improved GCSE results or pupil progress unless you have reliable evidence for the statement.

The example uses « Objet » in its subject line. For your own UK application, use a clear subject line such as “Application for Teacher of Science”, or follow the school’s application instructions. Address the letter to the named recipient if one is provided and use the appropriate sign off.

Finally, check that the vacancy details and school name are correct. If the school requests a supporting statement in an application form, adapt your evidence to that format rather than assuming a separate letter is required.

Official source on this job: Secondary school teacher job profile, National Careers Service