Headteacher job description and duties

Purpose of the role

The role exists to make sure learners are taught well, cared for and safe, that staff are supported and managed, and that the school's resources are used honestly and effectively. Every other duty serves those ends.

Leadership and planning duties

• Lead the development and review of the school improvement plan.
• Set annual targets with staff and monitor progress against them.
• Chair staff meetings and take part in the school's governing structures.
• Represent the school to parents, the sector and district, and partners.
• Maintain the school's routines, calendar and daily order.

Teaching and learning duties

The head ensures the curriculum is covered and taught well: supervising the deputy in charge of studies, sampling lesson observations, reviewing assessment and results, and acting where standards slip. The head also ensures teaching and learning materials are available and used.

Staff duties

Deploying teachers to classes and responsibilities, supervising and appraising staff, arranging professional development, managing attendance and punctuality, addressing poor performance through the proper procedure, and inducting new teachers.

Learner duties

Overseeing admission and attendance, the behaviour policy and its consistent application, learner welfare and protection, inclusion of learners with additional needs, and the pastoral structures that support them.

Finance and property duties

Preparing and managing the school budget, following procurement rules, maintaining financial and asset records, overseeing maintenance of buildings and grounds, and accounting for funds to the governing structures and the district.

Safeguarding and safety duties

The head is responsible for the safety of everyone on the site: applying the child protection rules and reporting concerns as required, maintaining a safe physical environment, and making sure staff know what is expected of them. This duty cannot be delegated away, even where another member of staff carries the day-to-day role, and it is the one area where a head acts immediately rather than through the usual structures. Schools are also expected to keep the records that show these duties were carried out.

Accountability and reporting

Reporting on performance, enrolment, attendance and finances to the district and national authorities, hosting inspections, and acting on their recommendations.

How performance is judged

Learner achievement and its trend, teaching quality, staff stability and morale, sound and auditable financial management, the condition of the school, and the confidence of parents and the district.