So you want to be a Head?!

Why do some Deputy Heads’ in the independent sector choose to take the journey to Headship?

By Mark Langley, Postgraduate Research Student, The University of Hull

What led you to become a teacher? I’m guessing that the idea of ‘making a difference’ springs to mind...am I right? The ability to share your passion for your subject area and enthusing others was and still is exhilarating and hugely rewarding. So why do you now want to leave that all behind and move to headship? The idea of making a difference to the lives of children is always there as a driving force when you consider the reasons behind your desire for career progression. Your focus now is on strategy as a key way in which this can be achieved. The trade-off for the reduced time spent on enthusing children about your subject area is that you have a greater opportunity to enthuse others, and to ensure that this is as successful as possible. This enables you to make a greater difference to the lives of more children and also of adults.​

I have always been fascinated by why deputy heads’ do or do not progress to headship. Deputies have made the journey from teacher to head of department and then to deputy head having proved themselves along the way. Why is it then that some deputy heads’ find the transition to headship more of a challenge in comparison to others and why is it that some deputy heads’ decide not to progress their careers further. What are the factors that motivate or demotivate deputy heads’ to progress to headship or not?

The research aims to identify why deputy heads’ are seeking or not seeking headship. What are the possible drivers or barriers that deputy heads’ face on their journey to headship? The research will help shed some light on the reasons of ‘why’ or ‘why not’ and also highlight the support mechanisms that could be useful for deputy heads’ in the transition to headship.

Interviews will be used to obtain information to find out about deputy heads’ careers, as such information could provide evidence of why they will or will not progress onto headship.

If you would like to find out more about the research and be involved in the study please contact Mark Langley on 07910 702974 or m.langley-2019@hull.ac.uk

Mark has been a teacher for seventeen years, working in both the state and independent sectors. His most recent role was as the Deputy Head at Barnard Castle School; a role that he held for two years. Before this, he was the Deputy Head and Acting Headmaster at Moorlands School for three years. Mark is currently on sabbatical and is studying for a Masters in Education and Leadership at The University of Hull. He has a particular interest in management and leadership, with his current research focusing on why deputy heads’ do or do not progress to headship.