10/09/2026
In the UK, particularly in secondary schools, the school system is usually organised into a number of departments or functional areas. The exact structure varies from school to school.
Main academic departments
1. English Department – English language and literature.
2. Mathematics Department – Mathematics and further mathematics.
3. Science Department – Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
4. Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) – French, Spanish, German and other languages.
5. Humanities Department – History, Geography, Religious Education (RE) and sometimes Politics.
6. Computing/ICT Department – Computer science, ICT and digital skills.
7. Art & Design Department – Art, graphics, photography and design.
8. Design & Technology (D&T) – Product design, engineering, textiles, food technology and related subjects.
9. Physical Education (PE) Department – Physical education and school sport.
10. Music Department – Music education, performance and theory.
11. Drama/Performing Arts Department – Drama, theatre and performing arts.
12. Business/Economics Department – Business studies, economics and accounting.
13. Social Sciences Department – Psychology, sociology and related subjects.
Pastoral and student-support departments
14. Pastoral Department – Student welfare, behaviour, attendance and personal development.
15. SEND/SEN Department – Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
16. Safeguarding Team – Protecting children from abuse, neglect and other risks.
17. Careers Department – Careers education, advice and guidance.
18. Attendance Department – Monitoring and improving pupil attendance.
19. Behaviour/Student Support Team – Behaviour management and student interventions.
Administration and management
20. School Administration/Office – General administration, correspondence, records and school services.
21. Examinations Department – GCSE, A-level and other examination administration.
22. Admissions Department – Admissions and pupil enrolment.
23. Finance Department – Budgeting, payroll, purchasing and financial management.
24. Human Resources (HR) – Recruitment, staff records, training and employment matters.
25. Premises/Estates Department – Buildings, maintenance, health and safety.
26. IT/Technical Support – School computers, networks and technology.
27. Library/Learning Resources – Library services and educational resources.
28. Catering – School meals and food services.
29. Cleaning/Site Services – Cleaning and site maintenance.
Senior leadership
At the top of the school structure you will normally find:
Headteacher → Deputy Headteachers → Assistant Headteachers → Heads of Department/Heads of Faculty → Teachers/Support Staff
For someone with a background in educational administration, the departments particularly relevant to your career would include school administration, examinations, admissions, pastoral administration, HR, finance, attendance and curriculum administration.
