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Headteacher

Alternative titles for this job include Head, deputy headteacher

Headteachers manage schools and create the right conditions for children and staff to achieve their best.

Average salary (a year)

£56,000 Starter

to

£138,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 48 term time

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job by working towards this role.

Work

You can become a headteacher after working as a teacher in a school.

You'll also need several years' experience as a senior manager or deputy head. You can take professional development training to help with this. For example, by completing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership and the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can discover more about senior teaching careers from Ambition Institute and Get Into Teaching.

You can also search for jobs through the Teaching Vacancies service.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of English language
  • leadership skills
  • business management skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a headteacher, you will:

  • set the school’s values, strategic direction and vision
  • work closely with students, staff, parents, governors and the community
  • create a healthy and safe space for learning
  • develop and monitor the quality of teaching
  • use data to track performance and produce reports
  • inspire and motivate staff and students
  • control school finances and attend meetings, sometimes outside of usual working hours

Working environment

You could work at a school.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

There are opportunities to move between different types and sizes of school due to the variety of schools in the UK.

You could also train to be an Ofsted inspector, an education adviser, or become a teacher training lecturer in a college or university.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a headteacher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Teacher)

  • Provider: EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Eastbourne

Education (Teaching - Primary) - Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Blackpool
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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Related careers

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