Opinion

Retention. Funding. Ofsted. A perfect storm is brewing

Senior leadership Government policy Staff wellbeing Workload
New research from the NAHT breaks down the multiple factors that are contributing to the crisis in staff wellbeing for teachers and leaders in our schools. Paul Whiteman says there is much to do to address these challenges 
Image: Adobe Stock -

The challenges facing school leaders have been encapsulated in the results of our latest state of the nation workload and wellbeing survey (NAHT, 2023). 

It paints a bleak picture of the unacceptable toll school leadership is taking on our members and their mental health and wellbeing. 

Based upon the responses of nearly 1,900 school leaders during the autumn term, our Crisis Point report highlights real concerns over wellbeing, workload, Ofsted inspection, and pay.

It is little surprise that, taken together, these issues are fuelling a growing recruitment and retention crisis. 

Overall, 49% of school leaders said needed professional mental health or wellbeing support, 72% said the job had harmed their mental health in the last year, 79% said it had caused them increased worry, fear, or stress, and 58% said it had affected their physical health. 

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