In this blog, you will learn:
- Whether a school can have two Headteachers.
- The benefits of a co-headship in one school.
Where the latest Headteacher jobs are and how to apply for them.
Can a school have two Headteachers? Are two heads really better than one? Headteachers are leading professionals and role models who play a significant role in the school leadership community. But is it possible to share the responsibilities and is it right for you and your school?
In this blog, we explore the benefits to having two Headteachers in one school and how to make it work in practice.
Can a school have two Headteachers?
It is possible for one school to have two Headteachers or principals and share the same role, in an arrangement known as a co-headship. Some schools adopt a shared leadership model where two leaders share the role and responsibilities of a Headteacher.
In one school two Headteachers can be employed on a full-time basis to lead the school together or work part time or flexibly. The role can either be shared, with both Headteachers jointly managing all responsibilities, or divided, with each Headteacher taking charge of specific areas of the school.
What are the benefits of co-headship?
- Combine experience and skills.
- Expand reach and address more areas.
- Reduce stress.
- Flexible working opportunities.
Combine experience and skills
Co-headship can be beneficial as it means the role receives the combined experience and skills of two Headteachers. Each Headteacher can bring their own unique perspective and energy to the role and balance the judgement and decisions of the other.
Together two Headteachers can draw on their strengths and combine their expertise to provide stronger support for staff and ensure all students' needs are met. Co-headship can work well when the two Headteachers are a good fit for each other and the school. A collaborative approach can also improve decision making and problem-solving and better address the needs of the school.
If a Headteacher quits, retires or if they are off work for sickness or personal reasons, the remaining Headteacher can continue to lead the school without disruption during a recruitment period for a replacement.
Expand reach and address more areas
Each Headteacher is accountable to the other and to the governors; this means having two Headteachers in one school can increase accountability. Co-headship allows both Headteachers to lead and even specialise in more areas of the school, and work together in interlinked areas.
Having two Headteachers allows each person to focus on a particular area that needs improvement or attention. With schools and Headteachers experiencing a range of modern challenges including staff retention and rising cases of children with SEND, two pairs of hands tackling these challenges can only be a positive thing.
Reduced stress
In their careers, Headteachers face challenges and unique pressures which can negatively impact their wellbeing - this is particularly prevalent during stressful periods such as Ofsted inspections.
Having two Headteachers in one school can reduce stress and ease the pressure which is usually placed on the shoulders of one person in school leadership.
The annual Teacher Wellbeing Index revealed that 84% of school leaders are stressed and that more than three-quarters of the teaching staff surveyed reported mental health symptoms linked to their work, including high levels of anxiety, depression, stress and burnout.
With a co-headship, Headteachers can share the weight of the responsibility of managing the school and provide each other with support. This means that they can have a better work-life balance which could improve their overall wellbeing.
Flexible working
Working as a Headteacher can be demanding and it is typically a full-time position that requires dedication and commitment. According to the School Workforce Census, just 6% of Headteachers work part time and having a co-headship gives individuals the opportunity to work flexibly, part time and in some cases remotely.
A co-headship can be particularly beneficial to individuals who have other commitments such as child care, family or other responsibilities which can contribute to and increase the likelihood of burnout.
A co-headship and flexible working gives Headteachers the opportunity to work in a capacity that suits their lifestyle; this may make the Headteacher feel fresh and motivated to perform at their best.
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