A deputy head teacher is a school teacher who, in terms of authority, is second only to the head teacher or school principal. The term is most commonly used in the United Kingdom and other former British Empire countries. Deputy head teachers are primarily responsible for classroom instruction, but they also take on some of the responsibilities of the head teacher when the latter is absent. This teacher is often entrusted with handling disciplinary issues, as well as coordinating staffing and overseeing school examinations.
Rather than teachers with a specialized focus on one area of the curriculum, primary and elementary schools typically employ deputies who have a broad knowledge of educational topics. These schools usually assign a teacher to a specific class of students, and with few exceptions, that person is in charge of all of the students’ classes. Teachers with this title typically teach classes on a single topic, such as English or science, in high schools and secondary schools. These teachers typically teach fewer classes than other members of the staff, but they also cover classes when other teachers are unavailable.
The head teacher, who rarely teaches classes, oversees the school’s daily operations. When the principal is absent, the deputy head teacher is responsible for all administrative responsibilities, including liaising with the school board, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and staffing issues. Most deputies work closely with head teachers, and experienced deputies take on additional responsibilities in order to prepare for a head teacher position at another school.
Classroom teachers are in charge of maintaining classroom discipline, but if a student becomes too disruptive, he will frequently be sent to the deputy head teacher to be disciplined. Parents are frequently contacted to discuss the student’s behavioral issues, and counseling may be arranged. Minor infractions are frequently punished with lunchtime or after-school detentions, which are either supervised the deputy or scheduled another staff member.
Exams must be passed students in order to graduate from high school and be accepted into higher education institutions. This teacher usually organizes the exams creating testing schedules, assigning teachers to administer the exams, and locating appropriate testing locations. Local governments frequently require schools to test children at specific ages on a regular basis, and the deputy is responsible for coordinating these exams and compiling reports for the authorities.