The Latest in a series of Annual Reports commissioned by the NAHT analysing the results of a Senior Staff Appointments survey for England and Wales. Prepared by Professor John Howson of Education Data Surveys.
Following the 22nd annual Survey of senior staff appointments Mick Brookes, General Secretary NAHT comments as follows:
“The extraordinarily high level of re-advertisements across many regions in England further underlines the crisis in recruitment of Head Teachers. What was once seen as a London based problem is now widespread. Whilst London schools face the largest bills for re-advertisements at 57%, the South West is hard on their heels with re-advertisements doubling since 2000 to a record 46%
Not only does this cause a financial burden on already stretched budgets, thus diverting funds away from the classroom, it also causes anxiety to the whole school community and enormous additional work in preparing for interviews that don’t take place.
The causes are well known:
- An ever increasing bureaucracy caused by reform and a mounting burden of administrative and premises legislation;
- An aggressive system of accountability and assessment;
- Pay differentials that sometimes necessitate a cut in salary to move to headship from other senior posts.
The NAHT applauds work on recruitment being undertaken by the National College for School Leadership, but all of this will be for nothing if the working conditions of Head Teachers are not drastically improved. All schools require:
- Professional support for administrative and premises management;
- A complete re-think of high stakes testing and ruthless inspection arrangements;
- A review of salary differentials that make the additional responsibility of school leadership financially beneficial.
The solution to this problem is within our grasp. School leaders need to be given hope that the current negative and punitive culture is swiftly addressed at national and local levels, so that new growth of aspiring leaders can flourish and therefore ensure that there is continuity of school leadership in all regions.”
For further information please contact:
Press Office, NAHT Headquarters Office: 01444 472411
