Taking on the role of Head of Department (HoD) is an exciting milestone in your teaching career. It’s a chance to shape the direction of your team, support your colleagues, and ultimately improve outcomes for your students. But leadership doesn’t happen overnight - it’s built on trust, teamwork, and clear communication. In this blog, we’ll explore the practical advice to help you lead your team in a school effectively.

Building trust through honesty and integrity is the foundation of effective leadership. As you step into your new role, pay attention to the small but significant moments that allow you to build trust.

“If you say you’ll do something, then do it. It means so much when you follow through…[it] might not be much, just sending an email or text…but it shows you are listening.” - Alex Brown 

Listening is another critical skill. When your team feels heard and valued, they are more likely to respect and support your leadership.

“Always listen when staff have a problem or an issue. Let them speak and get things off their chest. People are generally more receptive to advice or solutions if they feel they’ve been heard.” - Nicola Fahidi

As a leader, your actions set the tone for your team. Establish boundaries early and stick to them to model a healthy work-life balance.

“Learn to say no. Don’t just keep agreeing to things because you think it will make your [senior] leaders happier.” - Peter Lewis

Leading by example, especially when implementing changes or introducing new practices. Your willingness to follow through demonstrates your commitment and inspires your team. 

“If you are asking your staff to work with you...updating marking policies, or anything else - [you] have to lead by doing the small things right yourself.” - Ina Crase

The best leaders see themselves as part of the team, not above it. Reflect on your early teaching experiences to empathise with your colleagues, and recognise the unique strengths each member brings to the table. 

“Find out their strengths and areas to develop (we can all improve). Share resources, workload, and goals. I have an open-door policy,” - Andrew Lewington.

Empowering your team by sharing responsibilities and acknowledging their contributions fosters collaboration and morale. 

Do you remember how you felt the first time you received meaningful recognition as a teacher? Acknowledge your team’s effort to create a positive working environment. 

“I always email individual staff if they’ve done something above and beyond their role. And I start and end every term with thanks. Everyone (even HoDs) likes to feel appreciated.” - Nicola Fahidi 

Giving positive feedback is just as important as addressing challenges. By making your team feel valued, you’ll cultivate a supportive and motivated department. 

A shared vision unites your team and ensures everyone is working toward common goals. Engage your team early by seeking their input and feedback. 

“Communication is key. Your team needs to know what you want from them and how you’re leading your department. Let them know your vision.” - Gareth Storey

Set clear, achievable goals and revisit them regularly to stay on track. Having a roadmap not only keeps you organised but reassures your team that you are steering them in the right direction. 

“Always have a line plan for the year. You will move around it, but always keep it in front of you. Clear, achievable landmarks in skills and knowledge are key.” - Angela Appleby

Budgets are tight, so getting creative with resources is essential. Inspire your team to focus on practical, impactful solutions. 

• Focus on reviews and testing: use daily reviews, low-stakes testing, and tools like Quizlet or Memrise to reinforce learning. 

• Leveraging technology: Visualisers, shared drives, and online study resources are cost-effective ways to enhance teaching. 

• Avoid reinventing the wheel: Build on existing resources and frameworks to save time and energy. 

• Invest strategically: Tools  like Pupil Progress Adding Past Papers feature can provide valuable revision materials. 

“Don’t encourage staff to create everything from scratch. Build on what you have and what’s already out there” - Alan Harrison

Becoming an effective leader starts with building a foundation of trust and collaboration. By focusing on your team’s strengths, leading by example, and communicating a clear vision, you can foster an environment where both staff and students thrive.

Leadership is not about perfection, it’s about progress. With each step you take to support and inspire your team, you’ll strengthen your department and make a lasting impact