<P> In Britain, the terms "headmaster" and "headmistress" used to be the formal titles in most state schools as well as private schools, with "head teacher" only being used as a term to refer to them collectively . In recent years, however, most state schools have switched to the gender - neutral "head teacher" as the official title . Nevertheless, the gender - specific terms are still in common use and are still the official titles at some of the remaining state grammar schools and most private schools . Some use other terms, such as "high master". In South Africa, independent schools and, the majority of, state schools use the gender - specific terms "headmaster" and "headmistress" when addressing their head teachers . </P> <P> "Principal" or "Head of School" is often used as the title of the head administrator of an elementary school, middle school, or high school or boarding school in some English - speaking countries, including the United States, India, Australia and New Zealand . Public schools in the United States generally use the title "principal" whereas private schools in the United States sometimes use the title Head of School . </P> <P> While some head teachers still do some teaching themselves, in most larger schools most of their duties are managerial and pastoral . They are often used to discipline misbehaving students, help organize school sponsored activities, and all teachers in a school report to the head teacher . </P> <P> In Australia, the Head teacher is sometimes in charge of one (in the case of a major subject) or multiple (often in smaller schools) specific departments, such as English, History, Maths, Science, Writing, Technology, etc., but maintains full teaching duties and status . They are considered part of the school executive, and often a head teacher position is a stepping - stone into administration . </P>

Principal as an executive head in the school