Get Pro
Menu

Middle leader

A teacher with responsibility for an area such as a subject, department, key stage or year group, below the senior leadership team.

Used in
All four UK nations (details may differ)
Topic
School roles

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

Classfern Pro: report writer, Ask Fern, forum and jobs – no ads. What's in Pro Join the waiting list

Head of department (HoD) All four UK nations (details may differ)
The middle leader in charge of a subject department in a secondary school.
Subject leader All four UK nations (details may differ)
A teacher, often in a primary school, responsible for leading the curriculum and standards in one subject across the school.
Head of year (HoY) All four UK nations (details may differ)
A leader responsible for the pastoral care, behaviour and progress of all pupils in one year group.

More terms: School roles

Learning support assistant · Lecturer · Lunchtime supervisor · Occupational therapist · Pastoral lead · Principal

More terms starting with M · Education glossary A–Z · Get a TIP for your class

Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.