Can I apply for an assistant head role?

[Mumoftwinsandasingleton]

I've been a teacher since 2017 but have been off on mat leave since 2020. I ended up setting up a successful tutoring business which was bringing in more income than the teaching and more enjoyment. However, in recent months, my business has been on hold since I went on maternity leave again at the end of 2023. I want to return to a school setting but not as a teacher, higher up as an assistant head. Am I dreaming or is this possible? Whenever I apply, I never hear back, so I'm wondering if it's the fact that I've been out of a school setting since 2020 that puts employers off? I'm not at all interested in going back as a full time teacher but want more of a business fulfilment in a school setting. Let me know if it's possible straight away. Thanks in advance

Are you serious? You've three years experience.

How many years would I realistically need? I the last school I worked at, a 25 year old was the assistant head

I wouldn't have thought so. You've had more time out of teaching than you've had in it.
Do you have a proven track record or curriculum leadership, managing a whole school initiative or delivering INSET for example?
Have you done NPQSL?

I mean good for you for having the confidence and that might eventually see you through but I wouldn't rely on it.

I am a Headteacher and I am sorry but I would not even consider you for a HoD role let alone an AHT position.
You last taught in the classroom 4 years ago - a lot has changed since then. Tutoring isn’t the same.

I would advise coming back as a teacher for a few years and then progress into leadership. HoD being your first step. You could branch down the pastoral route as a Head of Year and then AHT…. But again you need more experience then you have currently.

Thank you for your honesty. I will humble myself and get back into standard teaching.

Ive seen all sorts of things. Very young AHT but as a general note you would need to be very secure in your teaching and potentially even becoming a middle leader first like HoD. You can then of course progress to AHT

Your wording here is quite odd. What is so 'humbling' about being a 'standard teacher'? It sounds like you see teaching as somehow beneath you - that's not a great attitude for any member of SLT to have.

May I suggest that you start by not describing the profession and craft of classroom teaching as 'humbling'.

I don't know. I like to wear a cap so I can doff it to my superiors when they come near my classroom.... especially those who've taught for a whole 3 years.

Give the op a break. The intention of the message was to thank the other posters for their honestly. No need to be so unnecessarily pedantic.
To op - try becoming hod or hoy. That stepping stone will but you in a credible position to apply for ah.

Same to you.

I’d happily take your advice but this makes literally no sense.

Read my post above the one I quoted from you.

Thanks. Have done. Sorry, no.

Despite all of the shit that has come our way in the nineteen years since I trained I still believe in teaching as a noble profession, and I will challenge colleagues who aren’t prepared to respect the skilled craft of classroom practice.

As a secondary issue, the OP has an unfortunately officious written style (“let me know if it’s possible right away…I will humble myself and get back into standard teaching”). Consider it pedantry if you like but better she be picked up on it by some anonymous folk on the internet than that she repeatedly apply for jobs in this same written style and be left wondering why she isn’t invited for any interviews.

Just to reiterate - I was not talking about being a teacher as "humbling", I was clearly talking about humbling myself and knocking myself off my haughty pedestal. In terms of my "writing style" I haven't had any problems with being accepted for interviews for teaching positions. It's the assistant head positions that I haven't been accepted for and now, thanks to a few commenters, I understand why.

Pleased to hear it, OP. Good luck with the job search.

Yes I interpreted it that way too. Don't worry. Some people here are a little bit grouchy op.
Apply as an assistant head of year, that's a good stepping stone.