Staffing Structure in a Primary School
Understanding who works in your child's school, what they do, and how the staffing structure supports learning every day.
The people behind your child's education
A primary school is far more than its headteacher. Behind the scenes, a whole team of professionals works together to make sure your child is safe, supported, and learning. Understanding who does what can help you know who to speak to and give you a better sense of how well-resourced a school really is.
Who works in a primary school?
Every primary school has a staffing structure that typically includes these roles. Larger schools may have additional positions; smaller schools may combine roles.
Headteacher
The headteacher leads the school. They are responsible for the school's vision, culture, curriculum, staffing, budget, and day-to-day operations. They report to the governing body and are accountable for pupil outcomes. In smaller schools, the head may also teach a class.
Deputy / Assistant Head
Supports the headteacher and often leads on specific areas like curriculum, behaviour, or assessment. They cover for the head when absent and are usually part of the senior leadership team (SLT). Some schools have both a deputy and one or more assistant heads.
Class Teacher
Each class has a qualified teacher responsible for planning and delivering lessons, assessing progress, and managing behaviour. They are the main point of contact for parents regarding your child's learning and wellbeing. Teachers must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Teaching Assistant (TA)
TAs support the class teacher by working with individuals or small groups, helping children who need extra support, preparing resources, and sometimes covering classes. Some TAs are assigned to specific children with EHCPs. They are one of the most important and often undervalued roles in a school.
SENCO
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator manages SEN provision across the school. They identify children who need support, coordinate interventions, liaise with external agencies, and manage EHCPs. Since 2014, new SENCOs must hold the National Award in SEN Coordination.
Pastoral / Wellbeing Lead
Many primary schools now have a dedicated person responsible for children's emotional wellbeing and mental health. They may run social skills groups, support children through difficult times, and liaise with families. This role has grown significantly since the pandemic.
School Business Manager / Office Staff
The office team manages admissions, attendance records, finances, communications with parents, and the day-to-day administration of the school. The School Business Manager handles budgets, contracts, and HR. They are often the first point of contact for parents.
Site Manager / Caretaker
Responsible for the physical building — maintenance, health and safety, cleaning coordination, and ensuring the school environment is safe and well-maintained. In smaller schools, this may be a part-time or shared role.
Midday Supervisors
Supervise children during lunchtime and playtime. They manage behaviour, support children who are upset or injured, and ensure safety in the dining hall and playground. Often part-time roles, but crucial for the smooth running of the school day.
Governors / Trustees
While not school employees, governors play a vital strategic role. They hold the headteacher to account, approve the budget, set the school's direction, and ensure safeguarding. Most are volunteers — often parents, local business people, and community members.
What staffing data tells you
On WhatSchool, you can see staffing data for every school. Here's what the key figures mean and what to look for.
Pupil-to-teacher ratio
How many pupils per qualified teacher. The national average for primary schools is around 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention, though this varies by school size and structure. Very high ratios (above 28:1) may signal budget pressure.
Pupil-to-adult ratio
This includes TAs and other support staff as well as teachers. A school with a high teacher ratio but a low adult ratio likely has strong TA provision — which can be particularly important for SEND support.
Staff turnover
High turnover can indicate leadership or culture problems, but it can also reflect a young, career-developing staff. Look at turnover over several years rather than a single snapshot. Consistently high turnover is a red flag.
Staff absence rates
Published in school workforce census data. High staff absence can mean more supply teachers and less consistency for children. Some absence is normal, but rates significantly above average may warrant a conversation with the school.
What to look for as a parent
Ask about staffing on visits
When visiting a school, ask how many TAs they have, how they deploy support staff, and whether they have a dedicated SENCO. This tells you a lot about the school's capacity.
Check staffing data on WhatSchool
Every school profile on WhatSchool shows pupil-to-teacher ratios, support staff numbers, and workforce data. Compare similar schools to spot any outliers.
Notice who greets you
On a school visit, pay attention to how staff interact with children. Are TAs engaged and active? Is the office team welcoming? The feel of a school is shaped by everyone, not just the headteacher.
Look for stability
Schools with stable staff teams tend to have stronger relationships with children and families. Ask how long key staff have been at the school — particularly the head, SENCO, and year group leaders.