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How To Become A Headteacher Fast
30 Oct, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How to become a Headteacher fast.
- Where the latest Headteacher jobs are and how to apply for them.
Are you looking to become a Headteacher fast? Being a Headteacher is a rewarding leadership position that requires vision, managerial skills, and a passion for the development of a school.
While there are traditional routes to becoming a Headteacher, every individual has their own unique career journey. Discover the quickest route to become a Headteacher and the experience you will need to ensure you take on this leadership role.
How to become a Headteacher fast
How to become a Headteacher fast:
- Get experience.
- Seek leadership opportunities.
- Gain qualifications.
- Demonstrate your interest and vision.
- Build a professional network.
Get experience
It might seem obvious but the best way to become a Headteacher and understand the education sector is to gain relevant experience in an education setting. Working as a Teacher can be a step in the right direction to successfully embark on a career as a Headteacher.
Becoming a Headteacher isn't an overnight accomplishment, and typically requires an individual with extensive knowledge and experience of teaching, learning and leading.
Seek leadership opportunities
As the most senior position in a school, it is essential that aspiring Headteachers seek managerial roles and work towards more responsibility in their career. Becoming a Headteacher requires knowledge, confidence and an understanding of all of the roles and responsibilities of those who work in the school.
If you’re a Teacher looking to progress and embark on a career as a Headteacher, it is important to seek leadership opportunities and senior management roles and to professionally develop your skills.
The skills and knowledge you gain from working in a senior position such as a Head of Year or Deputy Headteacher, can put you in good stead and make you a desirable candidate for a Headteacher position.
Gain qualifications
Most Headteachers possess an undergraduate degree and have developed critical skills which can prepare them for leading a school. While it isn’t necessary to have a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) to become a Headteacher it can be beneficial or desirable and make you stand out from the crowd.
It is possible to participate in professional development training to develop your skills and gain insight into leadership positions. Undertaking training and having qualifications in safeguarding, managing/leading or law and ethics can work in the favour of those seeking a career as a Headteacher.
Demonstrate your interest and vision
Being a successful Headteacher isn’t just about having the right experience and qualifications but being able to demonstrate your abilities, enthusiasm and vision. Headteachers need to inspire and empower others as well as demonstrate their understanding of all the roles and responsibilities of those in the education sector.
A quick way to get on the Headteacher career path is to demonstrate successful leadership skills and highlight your qualities in order to stand out from others.
Build a professional network
A great skill for Headteachers to have is to build rapport with colleagues, local leaders and advisers associates to enhance the school management and leadership. Having a support network is beneficial as aspiring Headteachers can gain valuable insight and knowledge from people who are respected in the industry.
Headteachers need to foster productive relationships with those within their school community in order to successfully lead, inspire and communicate information. Improve your networking skills and your ability to communicate well with others as it will be expected of you as a Headteacher.
Join Headteacher groups and forums, connect with Headteachers online and attend networking events to gain knowledge and stay up to date on the latest strategies.
Headteacher jobs
If you’re searching for your next Headteacher position, why not take a look at the latest Headteacher jobs, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Discover more about how to get into teaching and the top headteacher interview questions to prepare for.
Struggling to recruit a Headteacher?
As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with their recruitment needs.
We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers in the North West.
If you’re struggling to fill a Headteacher vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher
- Secondary schools - Liam Jones
- SEND schools - Jamie Heath
Meet Jamie Heath
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
