Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Newly appointed hod responsibilities?

7 replies

LivelyGoldPombear · 08/03/2025 23:43

Got the role as a hod after interview. What advice do you all have for me? I actually already know one of the girls in SLT she did warn me that the team isn’t great at the moment and 2 are already u happy and have sporadic periods of absence I know what’s waiting for me.

I took it because I do feel I wanted to push my career forward but I just need some advice on what I should do to be a good hod?

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 09/03/2025 13:50

When do you start?

MN2025 · 09/03/2025 16:47

I’m sorry - you got the job but you don’t know what makes a good HoD? You’re clearly the wrong candidate for the role.

I would suggest speaking to HoDs in your current school before you leave IF you really need the advice…. I do think OP you are going to be out of your depth it seems….

Smeegall · 09/03/2025 17:21

Uhh what????

Is this a joke?

I was a HoD for 6 years and I only became good at it by the end - please don't listen to this OP!

Of course you don't really know how to be a HoD before you've actually been a HoD. I've got an awful HoD at the moment - it's their first job and their second year in the job, and they haven't seen a GCSE group through yet.

I think your priorities need to be as a HoD.

  • the Curriculum - making sure it's all written and staff know what they're supposed to teach (and are doing it.)
  • year 11 - what interventions are you running etc.
There are obviously other things - but to me those are the main things.
Original poster
LivelyGoldPombear · 09/03/2025 17:23

MN2025 · 09/03/2025 16:47

I’m sorry - you got the job but you don’t know what makes a good HoD? You’re clearly the wrong candidate for the role.

I would suggest speaking to HoDs in your current school before you leave IF you really need the advice…. I do think OP you are going to be out of your depth it seems….

I think that’s a broad assumption. I’ve been teaching for a long while now. It’s not about job description, it’s about the things in between. If I wasn’t good enough. I wouldn’t have been offered the position against the 5 other candidates at interview. I know my stuff. I’m asking what makes a good head of department. I.e how should I begin to navigate a department when I begin. There’s no need to make it more convoluted than necessary.

OP posts:
Original poster
LivelyGoldPombear · 09/03/2025 17:24

Smeegall · 09/03/2025 17:21

Uhh what????

Is this a joke?

I was a HoD for 6 years and I only became good at it by the end - please don't listen to this OP!

Of course you don't really know how to be a HoD before you've actually been a HoD. I've got an awful HoD at the moment - it's their first job and their second year in the job, and they haven't seen a GCSE group through yet.

I think your priorities need to be as a HoD.

  • the Curriculum - making sure it's all written and staff know what they're supposed to teach (and are doing it.)
  • year 11 - what interventions are you running etc.
There are obviously other things - but to me those are the main things.

Thanks. I was mainly just seeking this type of a response. Can we DM please I would appreciate some more advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
LivelyGoldPombear · 09/03/2025 17:24

MrsHamlet · 09/03/2025 13:50

When do you start?

April.

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 09/03/2025 17:26

Then the priority has to be exam groups. Where are they now? What do they need? What do their teachers need from you?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page