headteacher
headteacher
Pronunciation
IPA: /ˈhɛdˌtiːtʃər/
Syllable Breakdown:
head-: /hɛd/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
teach-: /tiːtʃ/
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
/iː/ - long close front unrounded vowel
/tʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar affricate
-er: /ər/
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: headteacher
Plural Noun: headteachers
Possessive Singular: headteacher's
Possessive Plural: headteachers'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The principal educator and administrative leader of a school, responsible for its overall management, academic standards, student welfare, and staff supervision. This individual sets the strategic direction for the institution and ensures its smooth operation.
Synonyms: principal, school head, director, superintendent (in some contexts), master/mistress (archaic/traditional)
Antonyms: student, pupil, subordinate teacher, teaching assistant
Definition 2: A person holding the most senior teaching position within a specific department or subject area of a school, often with additional administrative duties related to that department.
Synonyms: department head, subject leader, senior teacher
Antonyms: junior teacher, newly qualified teacher, teaching assistant
Examples of Use
Books: "The new headteacher immediately implemented a revised curriculum, much to the initial apprehension of some long-serving staff members." (Example based on common usage in educational fiction)
Newspapers: "Parents have expressed mixed reactions to the decision by the headteacher of St. Agatha's Primary to ban mobile phones during school hours, citing concerns over emergency contact." (The Guardian, July 2024)
Online Publications: "In a recent interview, the headteacher of Eton College discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in modern education." (BBC News Online, June 2025)
Entertainment Mediums (Television Series): "When the eccentric new headteacher arrived at Abbey Road High, everyone knew things were about to change dramatically." (Example based on common usage in TV dramas about schools)
Entertainment Platforms (Podcast): "On today's episode, we speak with Dr. Evelyn Hayes, a long-serving headteacher from Manchester, about her experiences navigating budget cuts and evolving educational policies." (Example based on common usage in educational podcasts)
General Public Discourse: "My son was suspended for a week, and I had to go in and have a really difficult conversation with the headteacher about his behavior." (Casual conversation among parents)
10 Quotes Using Headteacher
"Headmasters have powers at their disposal with which Prime ministers have never yet been invested." (Winston Churchill, My Early Life, 1930)
"My mother taught me what it is to have a sense of humour; my dad, who was a headteacher, everything you need to know about hard work." (James Nesbitt)
"Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music; having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear, said the headteacher." (Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window, 1984)
"If I were a headmaster, I would get rid of the history teacher and get a chocolate teacher instead and my pupils would study a subject that affected all of them." (Roald Dahl)
"Albus Severus," Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, "you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
"As far as informing the headmaster, Harry had no idea where Dumbledore went during the summer holidays." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
"Have you ever thought, headmaster, that your standards might perhaps be a little out of date? Of course they're out of date. Standards are always out of date. That is what makes them standards." (Alan Bennett, Forty Years On, 1972)
"Our Headmaster is taking a short break," said Professor McGonagall, pointing at the Snape-shaped hole in the window. (J.K. Rowling)
"Effective headteachers provide a clear vision and sense of direction for the school." (Successful School Leadership)
"Senior Leaders should never lose sight of what it is to be a full-time class teacher." (Samuel Strickland, an individual who often writes about educational leadership in the context of a headteacher)
Etymology
The word "headteacher" is a fairly straightforward one, as it's a compound word formed by joining two older English words: "head" and "teacher."
Let's break it down:
"Head": In this context, "head" means "chief," "principal," or "leading." Think of phrases like "head of the family" or "head of state." It implies being in charge or at the top. This meaning of "head" has been around in English for a very long time, going back to Old English.
"Teacher": This word simply refers to a person who teaches or instructs. It also has ancient roots in English, coming from the verb "teach."
So, when you put them together, "headteacher" literally means the "chief teacher" or the "leading teacher." It designates the person who is at the head, or in charge, of the teaching staff and the school as a whole.
The first known use of "headteacher" as a noun dates back to the mid-1700s, specifically 1758, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Its meaning was consistent with its current understanding: the person responsible for the management and administration of a school. While the term "headmaster" (or "headmistress") appeared earlier, "headteacher" emerged as a more general and inclusive term for the school's top educator.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Headteacher
The Headteacher's Door is Always Open: This phrase implies accessibility and willingness of the headteacher to listen to students, parents, or staff.
To Consult the Headteacher: A straightforward phrase indicating the act of seeking advice or permission from the school's leader.
Under the Headteacher's Guidance: Denotes an action or policy that is being carried out with the direction and supervision of the headteacher.
Reporting to the Headteacher: Common in a professional context, meaning an individual's direct supervisor is the headteacher.
A Word from the Headteacher: Often used when the headteacher is about to make an announcement or give an important address.
The Headteacher's Vision: Refers to the long-term goals and strategic direction set by the headteacher for the school.
To have the ear of the Headteacher: (Using a synonym, "principal," for similar effect) To have influence or a direct line of communication with the school's leader.
Passing it up to the Headteacher: (Using a synonym, "principal," for similar effect) To escalate a matter to the highest authority in the school.
The buck stops with the Headteacher: (Using a synonym, "principal," for similar effect, adapted from "the buck stops here") The ultimate responsibility for decisions and outcomes within the school rests with the headteacher.
To get the Headteacher's blessing: (Using a synonym, "principal," for similar effect) To receive approval or authorization from the school's leader for a plan or action.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of headteacher from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
