A head teacher is the leader of a school, responsible for the pupils and the staff within it, as well as the academic achievement of the pupils.
Who can I work for?
Head teachers can work for either state or private schools, with those at state schools being paid by the government.
Where and when can I work?
A typical working day for a head teacher is 8.30am to 4.30pm – slightly longer than the school days. Typically working for around 195 days a year, head teachers have a six-week period of time off over the summer holidays. However, many are expected to work during this time, planning for the term ahead.
What can I earn?
The salary for head teachers can vary, depending on experience and the size of the school in which they work. Salary is likely to fall somewhere between £40,000 and £100,000.
What are the benefits?
As there is a shortage of head teachers, financial incentives can sometimes be offered to those thinking of taking up the role.
Are there chances of promotion?
Head teachers don't get promoted as such, due to already being the leader of a school. However, they often move to bigger schools when they are looking for a new challenge.
What will I be responsible for?
With head teachers rarely having teaching responsibilities, their work is mostly day-to-day management, organisation and administration. As a head teacher, you can expect your main responsibilities to be made up of thinking up aims and objectives for the school, working with governors to recruit new staff, meeting other education professionals and disciplining staff.
Do I need any experience?
Although requirements can vary from school to school, having qualified teacher status (QTS) is a must. This can be gained in various different ways, including Teach First and the Registered Teacher Programme (RTP). Several years of teaching experience is normally a must too, but not in every school.
What attributes are needed?
As a head teacher you would need to be good at resolving personal conflicts and highly emotional situations, as well as having effective communication and leadership skills and a desire to work with children or young adults.