Deputy headteacher (primary): role and responsibilities

Understand the role and responsibilities of a deputy headteacher in a primary school and which duties might be appropriate for a deputy head in your school.

Last reviewed on 1 November 2023 See updates School types: All • School phases: Primary • Ref: 5463

Requirements of the role
Deputising for the headteacher
Raising standards
Health and safety
Deputy headteachers in small primary schools

Requirements of the role

The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) sets out the professional responsibilities of deputy headteachers in maintained schools. The STPCD also applies to academy teachers whose employment transferred to the academy at the point of conversion.

Deputy headteachers employed under the STPCD must “undertake any professional duties of the headteacher reasonably delegated by the headteacher (paragraph 48, page 46).

They must also “play a major role under the overall direction of the headteacher” in:

Formulating the aims and objectives of the school
Establishing the policies through which the aims and objectives will be achieved
Managing staff and resources to meet the school's aims and objectives
Monitoring progress towards achieving the aims and objectives

The deputy head must also take on the professional duties of the headteacher when they are absent.

Consider whether it would be more appropriate or cost