Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1345
Deputy head teacher
A deputy head teacher is a person who supports the head in running a school and answers for part of its daily work.
Check yourself in a minute: deputy head teacher
Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
assist in the organisation of school events
maintain students' discipline
monitor educational developments
provide feedback to teachers
write work-related reports
About deputy head teacher
The post belongs to the school's leadership. The deputy implements the guidelines, policies and curricula the head has adopted, follows up on how they are carried out, and keeps the head informed about the school's day-to-day activity and its development. Decisions of the school's governing body are put into effect.
The deputy also supervises pupils and maintains discipline: settling matters of behaviour, speaking with parents and applying the agreed consequences. Education staff are supervised and teachers given feedback after lesson observations, with the curriculum objectives in mind.
The work has an administrative side as well. The deputy knows educational institution administration, presents reports to the head and to the governing body, and prepares reports on work carried out. School events are supported: ceremonies, trips and competitions. Throughout, the deputy works closely with the head on the school's day-to-day running and on its development, reporting regularly on both.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a deputy head teacher.
1
School Administration and Management
- Support the principal in daily school operations and strategic decision-making
- Implement and monitor school policies, procedures, and education law compliance
- Update the head teacher on daily developments and operational issues requiring attention
- Assist in project management and implementation of school-wide initiatives
2
Curriculum and Educational Standards
- Monitor implementation of curriculum standards and educational objectives across all classes
- Ensure alignment with national education law and regulatory requirements
- Support teaching staff in developing and updating curriculum materials
- Oversee educational quality assurance and student learning outcomes monitoring
3
Staff Supervision and Development
- Supervise teaching and support staff performance and professional conduct
- Provide constructive feedback to teachers on instructional quality and effectiveness
- Support staff professional development and training opportunities
- Cooperate with education professionals to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes
4
Student Supervision and Discipline
- Supervise students in school premises and manage disciplinary matters
- Maintain and enforce school discipline policies consistently and fairly
- Address student behavioral issues and implement appropriate corrective measures
- Communicate with parents regarding student discipline and behavioral concerns
5
Event Organization and Communications
- Assist in organizing and coordinating school events, ceremonies, and activities
- Represent the school in communications with education authorities and parents
- Write work-related reports for school administration and education authorities
- Present reports and information to staff, parents, and school board regarding school operations
6
Monitoring and Educational Development
- Monitor developments and trends in education and school management practices
- Assess school performance and identify areas for improvement and innovation
- Communicate educational developments and improvements to the school community
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (16)
education laweducation lawThe area of law and legislation that concerns education policies and the people working in the sector in an (inter)national context, such as teachers, students, and administrators.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.provide feedback to teachersprovide feedback to teachersCommunicate with the teacher in order to provide them with detailed feedback on their teaching performance, class management and curriculum adherence.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...communicate with youthcommunicate with youthUse verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, p...present reportspresent reportsDisplay results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.education administrationeducation administrationThe processes related to the administrative areas of an education institution, its director, employees, and students.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.supervise educational staffsupervise educational staffMonitor and evaluate the actions of the educational staff such as teaching or research assistants and teachers and their methods. Mentor, train, and give advice to them if necessary.curriculum standardscurriculum standardsThe governmental policies concerning educational curricula and the approved curricula from specific educational institutions.cooperate with education professionalscooperate with education professionalsCommunicate with teachers or other professionals working in education in order to identify needs and areas of improvement in education systems, and to establish a collaborative relationship.provide education management supportprovide education management supportSupport the management of an education institution by directly assisting in the managerial duties or by providing information and guidance from your area of expertise to simplify the managerial tasks.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
Optional (26) — show
labour legislationlabour legislationLegislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...funding methodsfunding methodsThe financial possibilities for funding projects such as the traditional ones, namely loans, venture capital, public or private grants up to alternative methods such as crowdfunding.contract lawcontract lawThe field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.primary school proceduresprimary school proceduresThe inner workings of a primary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.learning technologieslearning technologiesThe technologies and channels, including digital, to enhance learning.secondary school proceduressecondary school proceduresThe inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.kindergarten school procedureskindergarten school proceduresThe inner workings of a kindergarten, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, policies, and regulations.manage government-funded programmesmanage government-funded programmesImplement and monitor the development of projects subsidized by regional, national or European authorities.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.assess the development of youthassess the development of youthEvaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.evaluate education programmesevaluate education programmesEvaluate ongoing training programmes and advise on potential optimisation.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.promote education programmespromote education programmesPromote ongoing research into education and the development of new education programmes and policies in order to obtain support and funds, and to raise awareness.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...advise on lesson plansadvise on lesson plansAdvise on the ways in which lesson plans for specific lessons can be improved in order to reach education goals, engage the students and adhere to the curriculum.manage student admissionsmanage student admissionsAssess students’ applications and manage correspondence with them concerning their admission, or rejection, pursuant to the regulations of the school, university or other educational organisation. Thi...develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...liaise with board membersliaise with board membersReport to the management, boards of directors and committees of an organisation.apply for government fundingapply for government fundingGather information on and apply for subsidies, grants, and other financing programmes provided by the government to small- and large-scale projects or organisations in various fields.analyse staff capacityanalyse staff capacityEvaluate and identify staffing gaps in quantity, skills, performance revenue and surpluses.advise on teaching methodsadvise on teaching methodsAdvise education professionals on the proper adaptation of curricula in lesson plans, classroom management, professional conduct as a teacher, and other activities and methods related to teaching.maintain relations with children's parentsmaintain relations with children's parentsInform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.lead inspectionslead inspectionsLead inspections and the protocol involved, such as introducing the inspection team, explaining the purpose of the inspection, performing the inspection, requesting documents and asking appropriate qu...create a financial reportcreate a financial reportFinalise project accounting. Prepare an actual budget, compare the discrepancy between the planned and actual budget, and draw final conclusions.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
secondary school head teacher12 shared essential skillsspecial educational needs head teacher12 shared essential skillsnursery school head teacher11 shared essential skillsprimary school head teacher11 shared essential skillsheadteacher10 shared essential skillsfurther education principal9 shared essential skillssecondary school department head9 shared essential skillsuniversity department head9 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a deputy head teacher do?
Deputy head teachers support the management duties of their school's principals and are part of the school's administrative staff. They update the head teacher on the daily operations and developments of the school. They implement and follow up on school guidelines, policies and curriculum activities introduced by the specific head teacher. They enforce school board protocol, supervise students and maintain discipline.
What skills does a deputy head teacher need?
A deputy head teacher needs 16 essential skills, including education law, project management, assist in the organisation of school events, maintain students' discipline, monitor educational developments.
Will AI replace deputy head teacher jobs?
The AI disruption score for deputy head teacher is 57/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: create a financial report, write work-related reports, manage budgets. Most resilient: escort students on a field trip, prepare youths for adulthood, lead inspections.
AI Replacement Risk
57/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills16
What are you missing to work as deputy head teacher?
The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.
Check your gaps