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Headteacher recruitment: an overview

Read our step-by-step guide to recruiting a headteacher or principal, including advertising, shortlisting candidates, holding interviews and making the appointment.

Last reviewed on 18 July 2024
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 4536
Contents
  1. Know who has legal responsibility
  2. Appoint a selection panel
  3. Tell the local authority (maintained schools)
  4. Plan ahead
  5. Advertise the vacancy
  6. Shortlist candidates
  7. Request references
  8. Hold interviews 
  9. Appoint the successful candidate
  10. Communicate the appointment
  11. Evaluate the process

This article is based on headteacher recruitment guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) and the National Governance Association (NGA), and the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009, which apply to maintained schools.

Know who has legal responsibility

The members of an academy trust don't have a formal responsibility here, but could be involved in the process elsewhere, such as on the selection panel. Bob Anderson, former HR director at a large