Head of Department
Illustrative calculators for Head of Department within Schools, part of the Education sector. Pick a tool below to model pay, working patterns, leave, take-home pay or CPD. Then confirm anything important with your employer, contract or union.
All figures are illustrative. Use your contract, payslip or employer for definitive amounts.
Sector context
Head of Department roles within Schools sit in the Education part of the UK public sector. Pay, leave and family leave terms are usually shaped by national or sector frameworks, then applied by your employer. The calculators below use illustrative data for this role; your contract and local policies always take precedence.
How pay works in schools
Qualified teachers in England are paid under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD): Main Pay Range, Upper Pay Range and Leadership ranges. Support staff (teaching assistants, business managers, site staff) are often on NJC spinal column points through the local authority or academy trust. TLR and SEN allowances are separate payments for defined responsibilities. Academies can set pay within statutory limits; always check your school contract.
For Head of Department, our dataset typically maps this role to Leadership (L1–L43, rest of England) on School Teachers' Pay (England). Your actual grade may differ; check your contract.
About this role
Find out more about the Head of Department role within Schools and whether it would be the right role for you.
What is a Head of Department?
A Head of Department leads a subject or faculty in a school, managing staff and curriculum. They usually hold a TLR. Pay is on the teachers’ pay spine plus TLR (STPCD).
Typical demands, progression and balance
Heads of department combine teaching with leadership. Pay and satisfaction depend on school and TLR. Progression to assistant head or deputy is common.
Progression and pay
Teacher → HoD (TLR2/TLR1) → assistant head → deputy → head. Use the calculators on this page to model pay on the teachers’ pay spine.
Calculators for this role
Browse our career-focused calculators for those who work as a Head of Department, covering pay progression, promotion paths, take-home pay, working patterns, leave, allowances and more. Click the calculators below to get started.
Common questions
Which calculators should I use first for Head of Department?
Start with pay progression to see how Leadership (L1–L43, rest of England) pay could move over time. If you are weighing promotion, try career decisions. For part-time or reduced hours, use work patterns. Take-home pay, annual leave, sick pay and maternity calculators help with day-to-day planning.
Are these figures official for Head of Department at Schools?
No. All outputs are illustrative planning aids based on School Teachers' Pay (England). Pay awards, spine points, allowances and local policies change. Always check your payslip, contract, HR team or union for definitive amounts.
Does Schools pay exactly like the national framework?
Often yes for base pay and leave, but employers can have local agreements, spot salaries, market supplements or academy freedoms. Use these tools to understand typical structures, then confirm anything material with your employer.
Can I plan part-time working as Head of Department?
Yes. Use the part-time or reduced hours calculator for your role, then follow the part-time planning journey to link allowances, leave and take-home pay with the same band and FTE saved in your browser.
Where can I read longer guides on pay and leave?
Open Guides in the site menu for in-depth articles on AfC, teachers' pay, FTE, sick pay, maternity and more, with links back to role calculators like this page.
In-depth guides
Longer articles on pay frameworks, FTE, leave and career planning for your sector.