The headteachers who answered the survey would not have had to complete the
National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) which only became
compulsory in April 2004. However, a small minority did report that they had this
qualification, for example 14 per cent of the women secondary heads.
Subject specialism
There are a few differences in the subject specialisms of the men and women in the
secondary sector. The most popular specialism for men is humanities (30 per cent)
and for women English (25 per cent). Specialisation for women and men heads in
the 'hard' subjects of maths and science is roughly equal. However, ‘special needs’
is largely a female specialism, mentioned by five per cent of women secondary
heads and one per cent of the men. In the primary sector the pattern of specialisms
was similar to that for the men and women secondary heads. As with secondary
heads special needs was more likely to be a specialism of primary women heads (17
per cent against seven per cent of men), but early years was the specialism of 22 per
cent of women and only three per cent of men. Heads of nursery schools are almost
exclusively women.
Number of headships
Most of the respondents (particularly women) are in their first headship. In the
secondary sector, 84 per cent of the women and 70 per cent of the men are in their
first headship. In the primary sector 71 per cent of the women, but only 57 per cent
of the men are in their first headship. As it seems that the women tend to be a little
younger than their male colleagues and that they may be staying in their first
headship longer than men this could have particular implications for the career
development of women heads.
Men in primary headship are likely to move from one headship to another, more than
both women primary and secondary colleagues. The data do confirm the idea that
men are particularly sought after for the headship of primary schools and possibly
therefore feel confident about moving from one school to another gaining more varied
experience than their female colleagues.
Previous roles in school
There are very few differences in experience of roles held by women and men heads
in general. In the case of secondary headteachers, there was a difference in that 37
per cent of men against 28 per cent of women have had the role of acting
headteacher. In comparison, other senior management experiences for men and
women of being an assistant headteacher, head of faculty or department or year,
senior teacher or holding another SMT role was virtually identical. In a situation
where an acting headteacher is required, and where possibly the procedure of
appointment may be less rigorous than for a permanent post, men are more likely to
obtain the position.
Deputy head experience
Not surprisingly virtually all the secondary heads had held the post of deputy. In the
primary sector, smaller schools mean that heads are sometimes appointed without
deputy experience but 88 per cent of women and 91 per cent of men primary heads
had previously been deputies.
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