You are here:

Staff and recruitment : Roles, ratios and qualification requirements : Leadership roles

Leadership roles

Transparent Spacer

KeyDoc checklist for checks on new staff

The checklist can be downloaded from this article
Transparent Spacer

Performance management checklists

Produced with Gulshan Kayembe, one of our associate education experts
  • Head of school: challenges and expectations What are the challenges and expectations for a head of school? This article has 2 case studies on head of school and executive headteacher arrangements. It also looks at reports on models of leadership in primary schools and executive headship.
  • New to the headteacher role: priorities at the start of headship What should a new headteacher's priorities be? In this article, we set out advice on what the priorities should be for a new headteacher in the first few weeks of headship from 2 of our associate education experts. We also link to articles on key tasks for new headteachers and managing workload.
  • New to the school business manager role Those new to the school business manager (SBM) role will face a number of challenges as they get to grips with their responsibilities. Here, we relay advice and link to resources, including downloadable funding and budgeting information, which will support you when carrying out the role.
  • Role and responsibilities of a SENCO Is there guidance on the role and responsibilities of a SENCO? We outline SENCO responsibilities listed in the SEND Code of Practice and the SEND regulations. We also link to examples of job descriptions for SENCOs, and look at whether SENCOs are responsible for pupils with medical needs.
  • Role comparison: deputy headteacher vs assistant headteacher What is the difference between a deputy and an assistant head? This article cites the STPCD, advice from a teaching school and two of our associate education experts on the difference between the two roles. It also looks at changing an assistant headteacher's title to 'deputy headteacher'.
  • Role comparison: headteacher vs head of school What is the difference between a headteacher and a head of school? We summarise insight from one of our associate education experts. We also compare the 2 roles by referring to the STPCD and examples of job descriptions, and relay advice on setting pay for heads of school.
  • Role of an executive headteacher Is there guidance on the role of an executive headteacher? This article looks at when an executive headteacher might be appointed and what the role involves. You will also find advice for new executive headteachers.
  • Role of an online safety leader What is the role of an e-safety lead? We look at guidance on the role of an online safety lead from a local authority, and link to information about online safety roles from schools. We also link to another article from The Key on online safety in schools.
  • Role of a primary school deputy headteacher What is the role of a deputy headteacher in a primary school? We summarise information from the DfE, and include a case study and an interview on a deputy head’s role. We also relay advice on their role in raising standards, and from our associate experts on responsibilities for health and safety.
  • Role of a school business manager (SBM) What is the role of a school business manager? This article looks at information on the role of a school business manager (SBM) from ISBL. It also points to a survey of SBMs on their responsibilities, and to another article from The Key with job descriptions for SBMs.
  • Role of a subject leader What duties does a subject leader perform? This article links to two case studies from teaching schools on the role of a subject leader. We link to non-statutory national standards for subject leadership. We also refer to guidance on pay for subject leadership.
  • Role of the accounting officer in an academy trust What is the role of an accounting officer in an academy? We relay guidance from the Academies Financial Handbook on the responsibilities of accounting officers. We also look at what happens if they are on sickness absence, and link to examples of providers of training for accounting officers.
  • Staff room poster: roles and responsibilities Use our poster in your staff room or school office to show which members of staff are responsible for what. Add photos to help volunteers, agency staff, or new staff find the right person quickly.
  • Strategic responsibilities of school leaders Are there any examples of strategic tasks for the SLT and teachers? This article links to examples of strategic responsibilities from schools for different senior leadership team (SLT) positions. We also point to examples for phase leaders and subject leaders.