A headteacher or principal is the senior leader responsible for the overall management, organisation, and direction of a school. They play a vital role in shaping the educational vision and ethos, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning, and managing staff and resources efficiently. Headteachers work closely with teachers, pupils, parents, and governors to create a safe and positive learning environment. Their duties include developing school policies, overseeing budgets, handling pastoral care, and ensuring compliance with education regulations. This role demands strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of educational best practice.
The average salary for a headteacher in the UK ranges from £55,000 to £120,000 per year, depending on the size and location of the school.
There are approximately 22,000 headteachers and principals across primary and secondary schools in England.
Headteachers usually work over 50 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.
Responsible for leading and managing a primary school, focusing on the education and welfare of children aged 4 to 11.
Assists the headteacher in managing a secondary school, with specific responsibilities such as overseeing behaviour, curriculum, or staff development.
Leads a school specialising in supporting pupils with special educational needs, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Earn a relevant undergraduate degree, typically in education or a subject you wish to teach.
Most headteachers begin their careers as teachers, so you will need to have a degree in education (such as a BA or BEd), or a degree in another subject followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Some universities offer routes that combine degree and qualified teacher status (QTS).
Complete teacher training to achieve QTS or equivalent, allowing you to teach in state schools in England and Wales.
Routes to QTS include university-led PGCE courses or school-based programmes such as School Direct. This step involves both academic study and practical classroom experience. Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar but slightly different requirements.
Work as a classroom teacher to build experience and develop teaching skills.
It is important to spend several years teaching to gain a broad understanding of classroom management, curriculum planning, and pupil development. Most aspiring headteachers work their way up from teaching roles to middle leadership positions such as Head of Department or Head of Year.
Apply for roles such as Head of Department, Head of Year, or SENDCo to gain leadership experience.
Taking on additional responsibilities helps you develop skills in managing teams, setting targets, budgeting, and supporting colleagues. This experience is highly valued when applying for senior leadership positions.
Undertake further qualifications, such as the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) or Headship (NPQH).
These government-recognised programmes help you develop the strategic and operational skills needed for senior positions. Training covers areas such as school improvement, data analysis, safeguarding, and working with governors.
Progress to deputy or assistant headteacher roles to develop whole-school leadership skills.
In these roles, you will oversee areas such as curriculum, pastoral care, or staff development for the whole school. This provides essential experience in leading and managing larger teams and contributing to strategic decision-making.
Develop a CV and application that demonstrates your leadership, impact, and vision for education.
Highlight your achievements, leadership experience, and commitment to improving outcomes for pupils. Tailor your application to each school, reflecting its values and priorities.
Participate in interviews and assessment tasks designed to test your leadership skills and suitability.
Headteacher interviews often include presentations, written tasks, and panel interviews with governors, staff, and sometimes pupils. You may be asked to outline your vision for the school and how you would handle specific challenges.
Take on the role, lead your school, and engage in ongoing professional development.
As a headteacher or principal, you will need to keep up to date with educational policies and leadership practices. Opportunities for continued professional development include leadership conferences, coaching, and further qualifications.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Headteacher/Principal. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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