Interim
Education Jobs

Interim headteachers need NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) or equivalent senior leadership qualification, plus extensive experience as a serving or recent headteacher. Essential requirements include proven school improvement track record, Ofsted inspection experience (leading schools through Good or Outstanding), safeguarding expertise, and experience managing challenging situations like Requires Improvement grades, leadership transitions, or staff instability.

Interim headteachers in the UK typically earn £500-£750 per day, with executive principals earning £600-£900/day and MAT Directors of Education earning £700-£1,000/day. These are full-time roles (5 days/week), translating to monthly earnings of £10,000-£20,000. Engagements typically last 1-3 terms (6-18 months), with total engagement values ranging from £60,000-£270,000 depending on complexity and duration.

Interim headteacher assignments typically last 1-3 terms (approximately 6-18 months). Short-term coverage during permanent recruitment: 1-2 terms (6-12 months). School improvement or Ofsted preparation: 2-3 terms (12-18 months). MAT turnaround or new school opening: 3-4 terms (18-24 months). Assignments can extend if additional improvement work is needed or permanent recruitment is delayed.

Schools hire interim headteachers during urgent leadership situations: sudden headteacher departure (resignation, dismissal, illness), Ofsted Requires Improvement or Inadequate grades requiring immediate intervention, safeguarding crises requiring experienced leadership, MAT expansion with new school takeovers needing turnaround expertise, school mergers or federations, or new school openings. Interim headteachers provide immediate, experienced leadership when schools cannot wait for lengthy permanent recruitment.