One in four schools struggled to find suitable headteacher, study finds
A new report reveals that one in four schools looking for a headteacher at the start of the academic year are struggling to fill the role by Christmas.
27 per cent of public schools that advertised in September had to re-advertise their roles by the festive period.
Professor John Howson, of Oxford Teachers’ Services, found that more than 400 state schools in England advertised headteacher vacancies between August and December 2025.
Private schools faced particular challenges; One in five (20%) head teacher vacancies had to be re-advertised after initial efforts.
It comes as the government prepares to publish its deferred schools whitepaper in 2026, outlining reforms to the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system.
Prof Howson concluded: “Staffing issues for special schools are often overlooked when discussing the Send crisis and require greater attention from policymakers.”
Roman Catholic schools were also more likely to have to reshuffle headteacher positions.
Of the 436 head teacher vacancies recorded in the report between August and Christmas, 299 were in primary schools.
Of the 91 secondary schools that posted starting salaries, half (45) offered more than £100,000.
School leaders’ union NAHT warned last month that primary school principals will increasingly leave their jobs within five years because they face “too many” demands.
At the time, general secretary Paul Whiteman said schools struggling to find a head could create “enormous instability” for teachers and students.
The Association of School and College Leaders has also warned that the new Ofsted inspection system, introduced in November, will be worse for the health of headteachers.
Schools are also facing a classroom teacher shortage crisis since the pandemic.
The government has promised to appoint 6,500 more teachers by the end of parliament to combat this problem.
The number of people starting teacher training increased by more than 10% this September.
