Head of Department resources for secondary school leaders
Being a Head of Department is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles in a school. HODs are expected to lead teachers, manage curriculum and assessment, improve student outcomes, support staff, respond to student behaviour and work with school leadership — often while continuing to teach.
This collection of Head of Department resources brings together practical guides, strategies and advice designed specifically for secondary school HODs. Whether you’re new to the role, managing a difficult situation, developing your team, improving teaching and learning or trying to raise student achievement, you’ll find practical ideas you can apply in your department.
Use the categories below to find resources that match your current priorities as a Head of Department.
New to the Head of Department Role? Start Here
If you’re new to the role, start with these guides. They’ll help you understand what the job involves, identify the skills you’ll need and navigate the transition from classroom teacher to departmental leader.
Leading Your Team
Your department is only as effective as the people who work in it. These resources explore the practical side of leading teachers: building trust, managing competing demands, running effective meetings, developing leadership capacity and creating a positive department culture.
Leadership and Strategy
Effective Heads of Department need to think strategically as well as manage the daily demands of the role. These resources explore leadership approaches, educational leadership, creating a clear vision and responding effectively when circumstances become challenging.
Improving Student Outcomes
Improving student outcomes is one of the most important responsibilities of a Head of Department. These resources explore how HODs can use evidence, assessment data, curriculum planning and teacher collaboration to identify problems and improve student learning.
Managing the HOD Job
Being an HOD can be demanding. These resources focus on the practical side of managing your workload, staying organised, maintaining perspective and balancing the competing demands of teaching and leadership.
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