Becoming an Assistant Head

[Rainbowsandunicorns88]

I've been offered the chance of an Assistant Headship in a small private school. I'm only entering my sixth year of teaching in September so I'm flattered but also totally daunted (petrified) of the responsibility. Can other SLT'ers out there share the pros and cons? I need to decide by Monday....The extra money would be amaze....

Bump

I did it in year 6 of teaching- lasted 2 years and quit to come back to classroom teaching.

I couldn't handle the stress involved. Constant pressure, couldn't sleep, lost a lot of weight and became quite ill. Decided no job was worth that.

Hopefully you will have a better experience!

You won't know unless you try! Good luck,.

I've taken it. The school is tiny only 160 kids across seven year groups. Need to find a tactful way of asking what pay rise I could expect.

I did it last year in my 7th year of teaching and I love it. I'm lucky in that the responsibilities I have been given are for areas that I'm really interested in. Just be prepared to work hard!

I think AHT can be a tricky post- often maintains heavy classroom commitment, but with additional responsibilities. Alongside salary I would be asking about non contact time.

I've been shown the timetable of the current AH and it's minimal teaching really but yes will ask much more closely about non-contact. I've been lucky in that I can keep my 0.8 contract.

Congratulations, I hope you love it!