Head of Department CV Example
A head of department CV demonstrates your subject leadership, ability to raise standards, and experience managing a team of teachers.
Recommended template: Modern
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Include department-level results data showing improvement trends under your leadership.
- Highlight your approach to monitoring teaching quality and supporting staff development.
- Detail curriculum innovations you have introduced and their impact on student outcomes.
- Showcase your contribution to whole-school initiatives beyond your department.
Ready to build your CV?
Start with the Modern template and customise it for your teaching & education role.
How to Write Your Head of Department CV
A head of department CV must demonstrate your ability to lead a teaching team, raise standards, and drive improvement in student outcomes. Headteachers want to see evidence of your impact on examination results, your approach to quality assurance, and your ability to develop and inspire your staff. Your CV should present a clear narrative of departmental improvement supported by data.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with profile, leadership experience, education, and professional development. For each role, include the school context, your responsibilities, and quantified achievements. Include data on examination results, staff development, and curriculum innovation. Keep to two pages.
CV Format
Choose a professional template appropriate for education. Ensure consistent formatting and error-free content. Save as a PDF.
CV Profile Examples
Established HoD
Head of Science with eight years of departmental leadership experience in an 11-18 secondary school rated Good by Ofsted. Manages a team of nine teachers and three technicians, delivering triple science to GCSE and A Level. Achieved a 15-percentage-point improvement in combined science grade 5+ over four years through focused CPD, curriculum redesign, and targeted intervention. Seeking a senior leadership opportunity.
Newly Appointed HoD
Recently appointed Head of English at a growing secondary academy, leading a department of six teachers across KS3, GCSE, and A Level. Three years of classroom teaching experience with consistently strong results and a passion for literacy development. Focused on building a collaborative department culture with high expectations and shared accountability for student outcomes.
Aspirational HoD
Head of Mathematics with NPQML and five years of middle leadership experience, leading a department of seven in a challenging urban secondary school. Introduced a mastery-based KS3 curriculum that improved Year 7 baseline-to-progress scores by 20%. Experienced in using data to drive intervention, coaching NQTs, and liaising with exam boards. Aspiring to assistant headteacher level.
State your subject, department size, and years of leadership experience. Highlight your most significant improvement outcome. Mention any leadership qualifications and career aspirations.
Key Skills for Your Head of Department CV
Department Leadership
Providing strategic direction and operational management for an academic department to achieve high standards.
Curriculum Planning
Designing, reviewing, and implementing schemes of work that ensure breadth, rigour, and alignment with national standards.
Performance Management
Setting targets, conducting observations, and managing the appraisal cycle for departmental teaching staff.
Data-Driven Improvement
Using assessment data to identify underperformance, set intervention targets, and measure the impact of strategies.
Budget Management
Planning and managing a departmental budget, procuring resources, and ensuring cost-effective spending.
Staff Recruitment
Leading the recruitment process for departmental teaching and support staff, from advertising to appointment.
Quality Assurance
Monitoring teaching quality through observations, work scrutiny, student voice, and learning walks.
Exam Board Liaison
Managing examination entries, coursework moderation, and communication with examination boards and awarding bodies.
CPD Leadership
Identifying staff development needs and delivering or commissioning professional development activities.
Work Experience Examples
Detail each leadership role with school context, department size, and specific responsibilities. Quantify achievements with examination result data, showing baseline and improved figures. Include evidence of curriculum development, staff mentoring, and contribution to whole-school priorities.
Head of Science
Westfield Academy, Sheffield
Led the science department across KS3, GCSE, and A Level, managing nine teachers, three technicians, and a department budget of £45,000.
Responsibilities
- Led strategic planning for the science department, setting annual targets aligned with the school improvement plan.
- Conducted regular lesson observations, learning walks, and work scrutiny to monitor teaching quality and student progress.
- Managed the departmental budget, ordering equipment and resources, and ensuring value for money in procurement.
- Oversaw the development of KS3 and KS4 schemes of work, incorporating practical investigations and cross-curricular links.
- Coordinated GCSE and A Level examination entries, managed coursework moderation, and liaised with AQA and OCR exam boards.
Achievements
- Improved GCSE combined science grade 5+ from 48% to 63% over four years through a combination of curriculum reform and targeted revision programmes.
- Successfully recruited and retained three new science teachers during a period of national teacher shortages.
- Led the department through an Ofsted deep dive in science, receiving positive feedback on curriculum design and teaching quality.
Second in Department (Science)
Greenfield High School, Rotherham
Supported the Head of Science in managing the department, with specific responsibility for KS3 curriculum and staff mentoring.
Responsibilities
- Led the redesign of the KS3 science curriculum, introducing enquiry-based learning and assessment checkpoints aligned with KS4 requirements.
- Mentored two NQT science teachers through their induction year, providing weekly observation feedback and support.
- Analysed departmental assessment data and produced termly progress reports for the senior leadership team.
- Coordinated STEM enrichment activities including a science club, a visiting speaker programme, and participation in the STEM ambassador scheme.
Achievements
- KS3 science assessment results improved by 12 percentage points following the curriculum redesign.
- Both NQTs mentored successfully completed their induction year and remained in the department for a further two years.
Education & Qualifications
List your teaching qualification and degree. Include NPQML or equivalent leadership qualifications. Mention any subject-specific qualifications or training.
QTS
Qualified Teacher Status for teaching in maintained schools in England.
NPQML
National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership, demonstrating middle management capability in schools.
Subject Degree
An undergraduate degree in the department's subject area, providing expert subject knowledge.
PGCE
Postgraduate Certificate in Education, the initial teacher training qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What data should I include on a head of department CV?
How do I show leadership skills on a head of department CV?
Should I mention whole-school contributions?
How do I present curriculum innovation on my CV?
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