School head/director/principal

[tulipflower]

Do these three phrases, 'school head/director/principal' refer to the same thing?

 

[Rover_KE]

No.

 

[Skrej]

In general, they're different roles, but there's nothing to prevent one person from filling multiple roles, especially at a smaller institution. The answer probably depends upon the school or institution in question and whether positions are combined into one job.

 

[tedmc]

I think "principal/headmaster" is more common. A director is a member of a school board which oversees the school management, but is not involved in the day-to-day running of a school as a principal/headmaster does.

 

[Tarheel]

I think "principal/headmaster" is more common. A director is a member of a school board which oversees the school management, but is not involved in the day-to-day running of a school as a principal/headmaster is.

I think "principal" is American English, and "headmaster" is British English. Also, a director is likely to be the head of a particular department, for example, a music director.

 

[Rover_KE]

tulipflower asked about ‘school head’ - not ’headmaster’.

In countries where women are allowed to do this job, they’re called ‘headteachers’.

 

[Tarheel]

@Rover_KE That is true. (I had never heard of "school head" before.)