Assistant/deputy headteacher: skills audit

Whether you're applying for an assistant or deputy headteacher position or looking to progress and develop in the role, use our audit to assess your skills against the standards and identify any areas where you can improve.

Last reviewed on 26 June 2026
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 9848
Contents
  1. Download our audit tool
  2. Use your audit results to guide your personal development

Download our audit tool

Assess your skills against the criteria for a successful assistant or deputy headteacher. You can use it to:

  • See if you're ready to become an assistant or deputy headteacher
  • Assess how well you're performing in your current role

The Department for Education (DfE) doesn't publish specific standards for members of the senior leadership team (SLT). This audit tool is based on the Headteachers' Standards, with the criteria tailored towards assistant and deputy roles.

It covers the following areas of responsibility, as set out in the standards: 

  • School culture 
  • Teaching 
  • Curriculum and assessment
  • Behaviour
  • Additional needs 
  • Professional development 
  • Organisational management
  • School improvement 
  • Working in partnership 
  • Governance and accountability 

Adapt the audit to include any additional areas of responsibility in your role, or the role you're applying for.

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