head is the third most senior teacher, coming after the senior deputy head. The senior deputy head will run the school in absence of the head teacher. The senior deputy may be the line manager for other deputy head teachers, as well as tackling multiple leadership duties themselves, but this is not always the case. Also, in certain schools - usually where the head teacher performs the role of an executive head teacher for other schools - the post of associate head teacher is becoming increasingly common. An associate head teacher is more senior than a deputy, but less senior than the head. They are, in effect, the head teacher in the head's absence, or in some cases serve as the head teacher of a school being overseen by an executive head teacher. In many schools, deputy head teachers still retain some teaching responsibility, but in most, their duties are increasingly managerial and pastoral. External links Association of School and College Leaders National Association of Head Teachers (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference Professional Coaching for Head Teachers (United Kingdom) Education and training occupations Education in the United Kingdom