A Second in Charge (2i/c) is the deputy to a Head of Department, supporting the day-to-day running of the department and deputising in the Head of Department's absence. You share responsibility for curriculum development, assessment moderation, student outcomes, and staff support. This role is a vital stepping stone to Head of Department and provides hands-on experience of departmental leadership.
The typical career stops on the way to this destination
Complete your Initial Teacher Training via PGCE, School Direct, or undergraduate route. Build strong subject knowledge and an understanding of effective teaching and assessment within your department.
Complete your Early Career Teacher induction and become a consistently effective classroom teacher. Develop your subject expertise, build strong student outcomes, and begin to contribute proactively to your department's work beyond your own classroom.
Take on additional responsibilities within your department such as leading on a key stage, developing shared resources, coordinating moderation, running revision programmes, or mentoring trainee teachers. Demonstrate your readiness for formal leadership.
You've arrived at your destination. As Second in Charge, you are the Head of Department's right hand. You share responsibility for curriculum, assessment, and teaching quality, deputise in their absence, and develop the leadership skills that will prepare you for running your own department.
The personal attributes that will help you thrive in this role
Ability to support colleagues, share workload with the Head of Department, and step up to lead when needed while maintaining positive working relationships across the team.
Deep knowledge of your subject and its pedagogy, enabling you to support colleagues with planning, share exemplar practice, and quality-assure curriculum resources.
Comfortable working with assessment data to track student progress, identify underperformance, and support the Head of Department in planning targeted interventions.
Strong organisational skills to manage multiple responsibilities alongside a full teaching timetable, coordinate department events, and keep on top of administrative tasks.
Ability to identify challenges within the department, propose practical solutions, and implement changes that improve teaching quality and student outcomes.
Effective communicator who can liaise between the Head of Department and the wider team, lead department meetings, and engage constructively with students and parents.