Slt - what was your route to get there?

[StayingHere]

So, I would like to target secondary SLT posts in a few years but interested in people's routes to get there (yours or someone you know).
I have been a HoD for a while but I am about to come back to the UK and have accepted a non HoD job. I did it for several years but I havent loved the role if I'm honest. Other responsibilities I've had in the past such as professional tutor for NQTs, and an assessment lead role for my faculty have been things I've enjoyed much more.
I realise I'm stepping back a bit for now and I hope that in my new role I'll eventually be able to pick up a TLR or some responsibility that is not HoD again.
My question is I suppose, is it possible to get onto SLT via other routes other than HoD? I dont really want to go there again, but I would like to progress in a few years time.

I was a teacher in my third year (second career though), saw a DH job I liked, applied and got it. Primary.

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot straight to Deputy? I'm not familiar with primary structure, is there an Assistant Head layer? ?

DH is AHT in secondary now, in his 11th year of teaching (has been AHT for 2 years). He went AHoY - HoY - HoY (different school) - AHT.

He has been quite focused on targeting progression though only on his own terms so waited for the right AHT role in terms of something more focused on pastoral as that’s his passion & strength. He finds he is fairly unusual for not having been a HoD at some point but it just doesn’t interest him & didn’t hold him back when the right role came along - though he did make sure he had led on whole school data / subject focused projects beyond his HoY role.

I would say Rule’s experience is fairly unusual - would guess the earlier career had an impact. In primary most people will do some kind of tlr / leadership team role (some schools have AHT but many just have head, deputy & a third person with a tlr) before deputy.

Thank you @Floobydoo that is really useful. I know HoD is the normal route for many, and I have got 4 years experience of this, but would prefer to follow a different route to get there eventually if possible. I never used to want it, but recently my ambition had become more focused, perhaps as my DC have got older. Great to hear your DH experience via HoY route

@StayingHere yes I meant to say I’m sure the fact that you have got HoD experience will really help, doesn’t mean you need to be doing that role right before progressing to AHT.

I’m primary but was an AHT pre dc (& a little bit post but found it too tricky with young dc). I’ve stepped right back to part-time classroom teacher but hope to go back again one day. Like you say, as the dc get older it gets more tempting.

Most AHTs I know took the HOY/Head of 6th/HOD route along with taking extra responsibilities such as data or training

@Floobydo thank you, I'm hoping that previous HoD experience might be taken into account when I get to a point where I want to apply. September sees me start at a school that is massively growing with a change in catchment area and a big increase in PAN so I think there will be a lot of opportunity about for taking on additional roles after I've settled in.
It's all pretty hard to think about it when kids are little isnt it, but as I have a lot of working life left to go I wouldn't mind taking on another challenge (and a bit more money!).