Headteacher: model job description

Use our model job description to help you recruit your next headteacher – it's based on the Headteachers' Standards 2020.

Last reviewed on 3 January 2024
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Contents
  1. Download our model job description and person specification
  2. Make sure your job advert complies with safeguarding guidance and equality law

Download our model job description and person specification

Use our model job description to recruit your next headteacher – it's suitable for both primary and secondary schools.

Adapt it to suit your school’s context, needs and priorities (for example, if you're part of a multi academy trust, you can add details about how you expect the headteacher to work with other schools in the trust). 

KeyDoc: Headteacher model job description and person specification DOC, 137.5 KB

Our job description is based on the Headteachers' Standards 2020 – see our summary of the standards here.

Make sure your job advert complies with safeguarding guidance and equality law

Maintained schools: your governing board must advertise this role appropriately. 

Academies: you're not required to advertise this position internally or externally, but it's good practice to do so.

Find out what you need to include in your job advert for maintained schools and academies to help you recruit safely.