Head of Department Application Guide
What HOD panels look for — department leadership, curriculum design, exam outcomes, team management — with worked evidence.
**TL;DR.** Head of Department (HOD) is a middle leadership role with TLR payment, carrying accountability for subject outcomes, curriculum, and team management. Panels expect evidence of leading colleagues, curriculum design, outcome accountability, and school-wide contribution.
What panels look for
- Line management / mentoring of teachers
- Curriculum design and assessment leadership
- Exam outcome accountability with data
- Budget awareness (typical department budget £10–50k)
- Whole-school contribution — SLT engagement, INSET delivery
Worked paragraph (HOD Science, 200 words)
*Department leadership (essential).* As Head of Science for 18 months I led a department of 11 teachers across three science specialisms. GCSE combined science grade 4+ outcomes had been 52% for three years against target of 65%. I implemented structured intervention — subject-specific catch-up groups per teacher, fortnightly data reviews, Saturday revision for weeks 8–14 of the GCSE cycle. I commissioned two INSET sessions on retrieval practice and cognitive load theory. 2025 results: 71% grade 4+. The department approach was adopted by humanities the following year and I was asked to join the SLT curriculum working group.
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Frequently asked questions
What TLR payment does a Head of Department receive?
HOD posts carry TLR1 or TLR2 payments depending on the size and scope of the department. TLR1 is the higher range (typically £8,000–£15,000+ above main pay scale); TLR2 is smaller (£3,000–£8,000). The advert states the specific TLR band.