Heads of Secondary Schools and Sixth Form Colleges
15AI USED FOR15%moving to55%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£35,000 - £45,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
Skip to main content
CAREERMASH (EN)FROM EDUCATION AND TEACHING →
Heads of Secondary Schools and Sixth Form Colleges
As a Head of a secondary school or sixth form college, you are at the helm of shaping the future of young minds, driving educational excellence, and fostering an environment where students can thrive. This pivotal role not only impacts the lives of students but also influences the broader community and contributes to the educational landscape in the UK.
THE DOOR: A easy to E extremely hard, now and in 20 years
This job holds up well against AI
AI is used for very little of what this job actually involves today, and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
Is this the only route?
This is the standard academic trajectory, but modern careers are highly flexible. You can often skip stagesby entering the industry with an advanced qualification (like a Master's or PhD), or pivot sideways from a related discipline.
0ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONUniversity DegreeUsually 3 to 4 years of full-time academic study, explicitly preparing you for the theoretical realities of the industry. Requires A-Levels, BTECs, or equivalent Level 3.-£68,970Avg. UK tuition & living
1FIRST STEPJunior School LeaderBegin your career as a Junior School Leader, focusing on classroom management and teaching excellence.£35,000 - £45,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEDeputy HeadteacherAs a Deputy Headteacher, you will assist the Head in managing the school and take on specific responsibilities such as curriculum development.£50,000 - £65,000
3PEAK CAREERHeadteacherAs a Headteacher, you will lead the school, set strategic goals, and ensure the highest standards of education.£80,000+
The degree route
Real courses in this career's subject, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Physical Education and School SportSheffield Hallam University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
🎓Primary Education 3-7 years (Lpr)York St John University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
🎓Primary Education with QTSUniversity of Sunderland · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
🎓Primary Teacher Education (Campus-Based)Global Banking School Limited · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
All Education and Teaching courses as cards →
Recommended UK degrees
Real courses that qualify you for this career, from the same register that priced the degree above.
Physical EducationUniversity of Edinburgh · DegreePhysical Education and School SportSheffield Hallam University · DegreePrimary Education 3-7 years (Lpr)York St John University · DegreePrimary Education with QTSUniversity of Sunderland · DegreePrimary Teacher Education (Campus-Based)Global Banking School Limited · DegreeEducationQahe (Lm) Limited · Degree