What Do Headteachers Do? Key Roles & Responsibilities

Published

24 November 2025

Contents

Key Takeaways

Headteachers shape the vision, culture, and success of a school while managing day-to-day operations, curriculum, staff, safeguarding, and budgets.
They support teachers through workload management, professional development, wellbeing initiatives, and performance reviews.
Effective headteachers combine skills such as communication, decision-making, resilience, emotional intelligence, organisation, and a commitment to learning.
Becoming a headteacher involves gaining leadership experience, completing relevant qualifications, building a professional network, and demonstrating positive impact, while managing pressures like accountability, inspections, staffing, and budgets.

Why Understanding the Headteacher Role Matters

According to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Headteachers’ Standards (opens in a new tab): “Headteachers are leading professionals and role models for the communities they serve. Their leadership is a significant factor in ensuring high‑quality teaching and achievement in schools.”

As such, headteachers have a significant influence on the culture, direction, and success of a school. For teachers, understanding what the role involves can offer helpful insight into how decisions are made and how leadership supports everyday teaching and learning. The job goes beyond managing the school’s operations; it is about creating the conditions where staff and pupils can thrive.

Knowing more about a headteacher’s responsibilities can also help teachers see how their own work fits into the bigger picture, strengthen teamwork across the school, and support professional growth for those interested in leadership roles in the future.

The Core Responsibilities of a Headteacher

The National Governance Association (opens in a new tab) states that the headteacher is responsible for “the operational day-to-day management and oversight of the school or trust”. As such, headteachers have a wide range of responsibilities that balance strategic leadership with practical management. Their role is to ensure the school runs smoothly, maintains high standards of teaching, and provides a safe and supportive environment for pupils and staff.

Strategic Leadership

A headteacher sets the overall vision, values, and direction of the school. This involves creating a clear sense of purpose that aligns with the school’s community and educational goals. They lead on school improvement planning, use data to identify priorities, and ensure that every decision supports better outcomes for pupils. Through clear communication and collaboration with staff, governors, and parents, headteachers help to build a shared commitment to the school’s success.

Staff Management and Development

According to the DfE (opens in a new tab), in their summary of the Headteachers’ Standards 2020, “Headteachers ensure staff have access to high-quality, sustained professional development opportunities, prioritise the professional development of staff and draw on expert provision from beyond the school.”

This is achieved by overseeing recruitment, appraisals, and professional development and ensuring that staff feel supported and motivated to deliver their best. A key part of the role is providing constructive feedback, recognising good practice, and creating opportunities for growth, such as mentoring or leadership training. By building strong relationships with staff, headteachers help foster a positive and professional school culture.

Curriculum Oversight

Ensuring that pupils receive a broad, balanced, and high-quality education is at the heart of a headteacher’s role. They work closely with senior leaders and subject heads to plan, monitor, and evaluate the curriculum. This includes making sure teaching meets national standards, that assessment is used effectively, and that learning is inclusive and engaging for all pupils. A strong focus on curriculum quality helps maintain high expectations and continuous improvement across subjects.

Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare

Headteachers have overall responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. They ensure that policies and procedures are in place to protect children and that all staff are trained to recognise and report concerns.

Beyond compliance, they play an important role in shaping a school culture that prioritises wellbeing, inclusion, and mutual respect. This might include promoting pastoral support, mental health initiatives, and strong links with families and external agencies.

School Operations and Budgeting

Headteachers oversee the day-to-day management of the school, including budgeting, facilities, and administration. They make sure resources are used effectively to support teaching and learning, from staffing and equipment to building maintenance and safety.

Working with governors and finance teams, they balance financial planning with the school’s educational priorities. Effective operational management ensures that the school environment runs smoothly and supports the best possible outcomes for pupils.

How Headteachers Support Teaching Staff

A key part of a headteacher’s role is supporting teachers so they can focus on what matters most: high-quality teaching and learning. Effective headteachers recognise that staff wellbeing, professional growth, and manageable workloads are essential for a successful school. They work to create an environment where teachers feel valued, listened to, and encouraged to develop their practice.

Headteachers support teachers in several important ways:

Managing workload: By setting realistic expectations, reviewing marking and planning policies, and ensuring systems are efficient, headteachers help reduce unnecessary pressures on staff.
Providing professional development: They ensure teachers have access to meaningful continuing professional development (CPD), such as coaching, mentoring, or training linked to school priorities. This helps staff build skills, confidence, and career progression opportunities.
Prioritising wellbeing: Headteachers promote a positive working culture where wellbeing is taken seriously. This can include flexible working options, wellbeing initiatives, or simply creating a supportive and approachable atmosphere where teachers can share concerns.
Leading performance reviews: Regular appraisals help teachers reflect on their progress and set achievable goals. Good headteachers use these discussions to celebrate strengths, identify development needs, and plan tailored support, rather than focusing solely on targets.

Key Skills and Qualities of Effective Headteachers

The DfE (opens in a new tab) has outlined ten strong claims about successful school leadership. They state that successful headteachers combine strong leadership skills with personal qualities that inspire confidence and trust.

Their role requires balancing strategic vision with the ability to connect with staff, pupils, and the wider community. While every headteacher brings their own style to the job, several key skills and qualities are consistently important for effective leadership:

Communication: Clear, honest, and empathetic communication helps headteachers build strong relationships with staff, pupils, parents, and governors. Being able to listen as well as lead ensures that everyone feels heard and valued.
Decision-making: Headteachers often make complex decisions that affect the whole school. They must weigh evidence, consider different viewpoints, and make choices that balance immediate needs with long-term goals.
Resilience: Leading a school brings challenges, from managing budgets to responding to unexpected issues. Resilience allows headteachers to stay calm under pressure, adapt to change, and maintain a positive outlook even during difficult times.
Emotional intelligence: Understanding the emotions and motivations of others helps headteachers handle sensitive situations and support staff wellbeing. It also enables them to foster a caring and inclusive school culture.
Vision and strategic thinking: Effective headteachers look beyond the day-to-day and set clear goals for the school’s future. They inspire others by linking this vision to practical plans that drive improvement.
Organisation and time management: With so many competing priorities, headteachers need excellent organisational skills to manage their workload efficiently and ensure the school runs smoothly.
Commitment to learning: The best headteachers model a love of learning and professional growth. They stay informed about educational research, policy, and practice, showing that development never stops, even at the top.

Becoming a Headteacher: Career Pathways for Teachers

For teachers who aspire to move into leadership, becoming a headteacher is a rewarding goal that builds on classroom experience and a commitment to improving education for all pupils.

According to the National Careers Service (England) (opens in a new tab): “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.”

The journey typically involves gaining experience in leadership roles, developing strategic skills, and completing relevant qualifications that prepare you for the wider responsibilities of headship.

Common steps on the path to becoming a headteacher include:

Gaining middle leadership experience: Many future headteachers start as subject leaders, heads of year, or department heads. These roles develop skills in managing people, planning curriculum, and improving teaching and learning.
Moving into senior leadership: Positions such as assistant headteacher or deputy headteacher offer broader responsibility across the school, including whole-school initiatives, staff development, and strategic planning. This experience is vital preparation for leading a school.
Completing leadership qualifications: The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) (opens in a new tab) is widely recognised as a key step for aspiring headteachers. It focuses on leadership, school improvement, and managing change effectively. Other leadership courses, mentoring, or coaching can also support professional growth.
Building a strong professional network: Engaging with other school leaders, attending leadership forums, and joining professional associations can provide valuable insights and guidance. Networking also helps teachers learn from different leadership styles and school contexts.
Demonstrating impact: Teachers aiming for headship should be able to show how their leadership has improved outcomes, strengthened teams, or enhanced the school environment. Evidence of positive, measurable change is often key when applying for senior roles.

Becoming a headteacher is a gradual process of developing both expertise and confidence. By seeking leadership opportunities, reflecting on their practice, and continuing to learn, teachers can take steady steps towards leading a school of their own.

Challenges and Pressures Faced by Headteachers

While headship is a rewarding role, it also comes with significant challenges and pressures. Headteachers are responsible for balancing the needs of pupils, staff, parents, and external bodies, often within tight budgets and demanding expectations. Understanding these challenges helps teachers appreciate the complexity of the role and the resilience it requires.

Some of the main pressures headteachers face include:

Accountability: Headteachers are ultimately accountable for pupil outcomes, safeguarding, and school performance. This responsibility brings high expectations from governors, parents, and local authorities, as well as the need to demonstrate continuous improvement.
Ofsted (opens in a new tab) and external scrutiny: Preparing for Ofsted inspections and responding to feedback can be demanding. Headteachers must ensure that policies, teaching standards, and data are well-evidenced, while also maintaining staff morale and focus during the inspection process.
Staffing pressures: Recruiting and retaining skilled teachers can be challenging, particularly in certain subjects or regions. Headteachers must balance timetables, budgets, and wellbeing to keep teams strong and motivated.
Budget management: With limited resources and increasing costs, financial planning is a constant challenge. Headteachers often have to make difficult decisions about spending priorities while ensuring that pupils’ needs remain at the centre.
Workload and wellbeing: The demands of leadership can be intense, involving long hours and emotional pressure. Successful headteachers find ways to manage stress, delegate effectively, and maintain their own wellbeing to sustain their leadership over time.

Despite these challenges, many headteachers find the role deeply fulfilling. Leading a school offers the chance to make a lasting difference to pupils’ lives, shape the direction of education, and create a community built on shared purpose and trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Headteacher?

To become a headteacher, teachers usually need substantial classroom experience and leadership experience within a school. Most aspiring headteachers complete the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) (opens in a new tab) or an equivalent leadership programme. Other useful qualifications include senior leadership courses, coaching, or mentoring training, which help develop strategic, operational, and people management skills.

How Is a Headteacher Different from a Deputy or Assistant Head?

While deputy and assistant headteachers focus on specific areas such as curriculum, behaviour, or staff development, the headteacher has overall responsibility for the entire school. This includes setting the vision, leading strategic decisions, managing budgets, ensuring safeguarding, and being accountable for school performance. In short, headteachers oversee the bigger picture while deputies and assistants support particular priorities.

How Much Teaching Does a Headteacher Actually Do?

Most headteachers spend very little time in the classroom. Their role is primarily leadership, management, and strategic planning. However, some may choose to teach occasionally to stay connected with pupils and classroom practice. The majority of their time is devoted to supporting staff, monitoring school performance, and liaising with external stakeholders.

Do Headteachers Have to Deal with Parents and Governors?

Yes. Headteachers work closely with both parents and governors to ensure the school meets its educational goals and community expectations. This includes reporting on progress, discussing concerns, and collaborating on strategic decisions. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential to balance these responsibilities effectively.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the role of a headteacher helps teachers appreciate the wider responsibilities, challenges, and skills involved in school leadership. By recognising how headteachers support staff, manage the curriculum, and shape the school’s culture, teachers can see how their own work contributes to the bigger picture.

Reflecting on these insights can inspire professional growth, strengthen collaboration, and guide those with future leadership ambitions as they consider the steps needed to take on greater responsibility.