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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1345

Secondary school head teacher

A secondary school head teacher is a person who answers for meeting the curriculum standards that make the pupils' academic development possible. The head teacher manages the staff, working closely with the different department heads, and evaluates the subject teachers in good time so that class performance is as good as it can be. The head teacher also sees that the school meets the national education requirements laid down in law and cooperates with the local community and with government. The same role exists in vocational schools.

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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 secondary school head teacher

The academic side is the stated purpose. The head teacher works from the curriculum objectives and from the teaching methods the school applies, and holds the standards across subjects taught by specialists who each know their own field better than the head teacher does.

Managing the staff is the practical core. The head teacher assesses the potential of the staff, supervises the education staff, and works through the department heads rather than around them.

Running the institution takes up the rest. The head teacher manages the school budget, prepares reports, manages the enrolment, and maintains discipline among the pupils, which at this age is a matter of authority that has to be earned across a whole school rather than imposed. Cooperation with the local community and the authorities also shapes the school's standing.

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.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.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.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.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.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...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.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.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.adolescent socialisation behaviouradolescent socialisation behaviourThe social dynamics through which young adults live amongst each other, expressing their likes and dislikes and the rules of communication between generations.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 difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.learning technologieslearning technologiesThe technologies and channels, including digital, to enhance learning.manage government-funded programmesmanage government-funded programmesImplement and monitor the development of projects subsidized by regional, national or European authorities.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.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.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 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 ...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...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

primary school head teacher21 shared essential skillsnursery school head teacher17 shared essential skillsfurther education principal16 shared essential skillshead of higher education institutions16 shared essential skillsspecial educational needs head teacher16 shared essential skillsdeputy head teacher12 shared essential skillsheadteacher12 shared essential skillssecondary school department head10 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a secondary school head teacher do?

Secondary school head teachers are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, working closely with the different department heads, and evaluate the subject teachers in a timely manner in order to secure optimal class performance. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law and cooperate with local communities and governments. They may also work in vocational schools.

What skills does a secondary school head teacher need?

A secondary school head teacher needs 24 essential skills, including curriculum standards, education law, project management, instructional strategies, pedagogy.

Will AI replace secondary school head teacher jobs?

The AI disruption score for secondary school head teacher is 57/100 (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, prepare youths for adulthood, lead inspections.

AI Replacement Risk

57/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills24

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