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Schools in England are facing an exodus of principals, with nearly half considering leaving the profession after the pandemic, according to a new survey.
Directors interviewed by The Guardian said they were stressed and exhausted due to the enormous pressures of dealing with Covid. They were also concerned about school budgets, which were already tight but have been substantially eroded by the additional costs of the coronavirus.
Almost half (47%) of those who participated in a survey by the National Association of Teachers’ Directors (NAHT) said they would likely quit their jobs prematurely, once they had driven to their schools through the Covid crisis. Many had already been disillusioned with education before the pandemic.
More than two-thirds (70%) said they were less, or much less, satisfied with their role than at this time last year. They were also concerned about Ofsted’s plans to resume school inspections from January, with 90% of principals opposed to the proposals.
The survey was released when the union called for a “revolution” in professional development for teachers and leaders, which would help unlock the potential of students when the refresher program began. The NAHT said greater support was needed for school professionals working in the most disadvantaged communities, which are among those hardest hit by the pandemic.
Nick Brook, NAHT Under Secretary General, said: “School leaders have shown exceptional determination, courage and optimism in leading their teams to support students in these extremely difficult times. It is therefore deeply disturbing that many school leaders are considering leaving the profession prematurely, once they have guided their schools through this crisis. “
Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, Principal of Anderton Park Elementary School in Sparkhill, Birmingham, said: “I’m not thinking of leaving, but I know a lot of friends and colleagues who are.” Many were exhausted after demanding days and sleepless nights, he said. They were concerned about their budgets, about keeping staff and children safe from the coronavirus, and about finding shelter so that teachers weren’t sick or self-isolating. “Some schools have spent their entire annual budget on supplies and they don’t know if they will get that money back,” he said.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Hewitt-Clarkson added. “The stress was absolutely enormous in the summer term when we were getting everyone back.” He said there was frustration and anger over problems securing free school meals for families who did not have food in their cupboards. “Now I feel like it has changed. Now we have more cases among families in the community. The reality that this is a pandemic and a very serious illness is unfolding and it really affects people’s anxiety. ”A couple of families were so concerned that they had decided to homeschool their children, he said.
Hewitt-Clarkson said school leaders were exhausted. “It’s like being on the edge of a knife all the time,” he said. One school day could go well and then a phone call could change everything, with positive cases and isolation to organize. Insomnia was a widespread problem, he said. “Either I don’t sleep or I have the most horrible dreams.”
Meanwhile, another principal, Jim Nicholson, of Mellor Elementary School in Stockport, said he loved his job but that the demands and weight of responsibility were enormous. He said his colleagues had “moved mountains” to keep schools running safely, but the pressures were relentless, with the school day ending at 8:30 pm followed by calls in the evening, on weekends and during the holidays. . He said his colleagues had called him crying.
“It’s in the back of your head all the time,” Nicholson said. “Physically I am exceptionally tired. I come to Friday and I am absolutely excited. “Others were concerned about the impact on their family life.” They are beginning to think, can I sustain this? School first and family later? It shouldn’t be this way. “
Brook, in publishing the NAHT school improvement commission report, added: “When we came out of the pandemic, it couldn’t have made sense to just flip a switch and go back to the way things were, with the same flaws. A post-Covid revolution is needed to prevent a post-Covid exodus of school leaders. “
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “We are enhancing support and professional development for teachers at all stages of their careers, and we are committed to providing personalized support for new principals who are less experienced and more at risk of leaving. the profession, through our National Professional Qualification for Leadership “.
