Should I apply for head of department post?

[GlowingLogs]

Hi all,
Looking for a bit of advice. There’s a head of department post advertised at a local private school. It is somewhere I’ve always wanted to work,however I am not looking to be head of department.
Should I apply for the job,even though I don’t want it? Just in case they appoint internally and need to fill that post, or maybe just need a new classroom teacher in the near future.
Or would they laugh at my application and wonder why I had applied?

I would only really apply if you are actually interested in the HoD position… or failing that you could speak to the HT speculatively about positions potentially coming up in that school.

Should you apply for a job you don't want? No

Even in a private school, appointing a HoD won't usually leave a whole teaching role free.

If you apply for a job and then refuse it if offered, you'd probably burn your bridges with the school.

Don’t apply for a job you don’t want. Send a speculative CV and covering letter asking them to consider you if a suitable classroom teacher vacancy arises.

Thank you everyone. Saved me having to muddle together an application in the next couple of days!
That’s a good idea @ThanksItHasPockets thank you