Many teachers
‘keen to be heads’
Nearly one in three teachers in England would like to become a head teacher in the future, research suggests.
One in 12 would like to lead a school within the next three years, a poll of 1,002 teachers for the National College for School Leadership suggests.
The Headship Index will be of comfort to school governors, some of whom are reported to be offering six-figure salaries to experienced heads. The survey comes as a large number of head teachers prepare to retire.
Chris Kirk, of the NCSL, said: “With the baby boomer generation of heads approaching retirement age, identifying new school leaders is more important than ever before. The Headship Index shows us that there is a depth of ambition across the teaching profession and we are building on this momentum with our campaign to find, develop and keep great head teachers.”
Despite this there have been successive warnings that the teaching profession is set to face a shortage of head teachers, particularly in tough urban areas.
One report suggested that a third of primary schools had a problem recruiting head teachers, with many having to re-advertise for the post.
And the Association of School and College Leaders has in the past predicted that “golden hello” payments would become more common. Its general secretary John Dunford said the survey’s findings were the first piece of good news for some time about headship applications, which had been consistently low. It was very encouraging that younger members of the profession were aspiring to headship, he said. “There has been a general issue of low recruitment where perceived pressures of the job are seen as a problem. On top of that there are specific additional problems in London and the South East to do with house prices and in Catholic schools,” he said.
National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Mick Brookes said the survey findings contrasted with previous research showing very few middle managers aspired to headship. “As there are now well over 700 schools operating without a head or with temporary arrangements, this influx of new blood simply cannot be injected too soon,” he added.
Schools minister Jim Knight said all the best schools had one thing in common, “a strong, inspirational head”. “From our side we will continue to support teachers who want to move up and help heads who are already in post do the best job they can. Obviously headship is not for everyone and many teachers will wish to remain in the classroom full time, but for those who want to reach the top, the opportunities are there.”
The research also found existing head teachers had a key role in encouraging younger members of staff to seek the post, with 81% saying they had been inspired by a leader in their own school.
And two-thirds said they felt they could reach a headship post more quickly than in the past.
Story from BBC NEWS
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