Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1345
Primary school head teacher
A primary school head teacher is a person who manages the day-to-day running of a primary school: its staff, its curriculum and its finances.
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Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
cooperate with education professionals
assist in the organisation of school events
supervise educational staff
represent the organisation
develop organisational policies
About primary school head teacher
The head teacher manages the staff, supervises education sector employees, analyses staff members' capabilities and takes decisions on pupil admissions. The head teacher assesses where individual teachers are strong and where they need support, and plans the team's work on that basis.
The head teacher answers for compliance with curriculum standards appropriate to the age of primary pupils, which support pupils' social and academic development, and oversees curriculum objectives and the choice of teaching methods. The head teacher also makes sure that the school satisfies the national education requirements set in law.
The head teacher manages the school budget and presents reports on the school's work, including the use of its budget. The head teacher also helps organise school events such as ceremonies, festivals and open days. The qualifications required for the post are set by national education rules on school management.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (24)
curriculum standardscurriculum standardsThe governmental policies concerning educational curricula and the approved curricula from specific educational institutions.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.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.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.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.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.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.represent the organisationrepresent the organisationAct as representative of the institution, company or organisation to the outside world.develop organisational policiesdevelop organisational policiesDevelop and supervise the implementation of policies aimed at documenting and detailing the procedures for the operations of the organisation in the lights of its strategic planning.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...manage school budgetmanage school budgetConduct cost estimates and budget planning from an educational institution or school. Monitor the school budget, as well as costs and expenses. Report on the budget.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...liaise with shareholdersliaise with shareholdersCommunicate and serve as communication point with shareholders in order to provide an overview on their investments, returns, and long-term plans of the company to increase profitability.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...manage enrolmentmanage enrolmentDecide on the number of available places and select pupils or students on the basis of set criteria and according to national legislation.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.present reportspresent reportsDisplay results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.analyse staff capacityanalyse staff capacityEvaluate and identify staffing gaps in quantity, skills, performance revenue and surpluses.liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...
Optional (28) — 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.trade union regulationstrade union regulationsThe compilation of legal agreements and practices for operations of trade unions. Legal scope of trade unions in their quest of protecting the rights and minimum working standards of workers.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.learning technologieslearning technologiesThe technologies and channels, including digital, to enhance learning.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.assess employees' capability levelsassess employees' capability levelsEvaluate the capabilities of employees by creating criteria and systematic testing methods for measuring expertise of individuals within an organisation.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.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.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.identify education needsidentify education needsIdentify the needs of students, organisations and companies in terms of provision of education in order to aid in the development of curricula and education policies.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.manage space utilisationmanage space utilisationOversee the design and development of a plan for space and facility allocation that is based on user's needs and priorities.lead board meetingslead board meetingsSet the date, prepare the agenda, make sure the required materials are provided and preside over the meetings of the decision-making body of an organization.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, ...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.manage maintenance operationsmanage maintenance operationsOversee maintenance activities, making sure that staff is following procedures and ensuring routine and periodic refurbishment and maintenance activities.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.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.administer examsadminister examsSet the dates and policies for the exam session and make sure all materials are provided.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...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a primary school head teacher do?
Primary school head teachers manage the day-to-day activities of a primary school or elementary school. They manage staff, make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which are age-appropriate for primary school students and facilitate social and academic development education. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law.
What skills does a primary school head teacher need?
A primary school head teacher needs 24 essential skills, including curriculum standards, education law, project management, primary school procedures, instructional strategies.
Will AI replace primary school head teacher jobs?
The AI disruption score for primary school head teacher is 63/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: create a financial report, write work-related reports, trade union regulations. Most resilient: escort students on a field trip, lead inspections, cooperate with education professionals.
AI Replacement Risk
63/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
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ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills24
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