Career Advice for a Deputy Head Teacher

As a Deputy Head Teacher, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school, managing staff, and ensuring that students receive a high-quality education.

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How to Become a Deputy Head Teacher

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Deputy Head Teacher

Should you wish to work as a Deputy Head Teacher you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Deputy Head Teacher

  • A Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field.
  • A teaching qualification such as a PGCE or QTS.
  • Experience working in a leadership role within a school.

Key Responsibilities for a Deputy Head Teacher

  • Supporting the Head Teacher in managing staff and ensuring the smooth running of the school.
  • Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school.
  • Managing the school's budget and resources.
  • Ensuring that students receive a high-quality education.
  • Developing and implementing policies and procedures to improve the school's performance.
  • Working with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to create a positive learning environment.

What to expect as a Deputy Head Teacher

As a Deputy Head Teacher, you will work in a leadership role within a school, supporting the Head Teacher in managing staff and ensuring the smooth running of the school.

Recommended Deputy Head Teacher Jobs

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How to get Deputy Head Teacher Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Deputy Head Teacher job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Deputy Head Teacher application. If you have not held a Deputy Head Teacher position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Deputy Head Teacher role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Deputy Head Teacher CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Deputy Head Teacher application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Deputy Head Teacher in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Deputy Head Teacher 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Deputy Head Teacher and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Deputy Head Teacher experience.

How to get Deputy Head Teacher Experience

What does it take to be a Deputy Head Teacher? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Deputy Head Teacher jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Deputy Head Teacher through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Deputy Head Teacher Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Deputy Head Teacher part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Deputy Head Teacher or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Deputy Head Teacher freelance work

If you have impressive Deputy Head Teacher qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.