Headteacher crisis to get worse

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 31st Aug 2007

A study by Education Data Surveys published today, reveals that more than a third of primary schools in England and Wales failed to appoint a headteacher after a first advertisement during the last school year. Continued recruiting difficulties suggest that despite large pay rises for heads, many teachers are deterred by the demands of the job and the pressures of living with league tables and constant government initiatives.

These are horrific figures revealing a real crisis in school leadership. Many headteachers are close to retirement meaning this problem is only going to get worse over the next few years. Effective leadership is absolutely vital for school success and the headteacher crisis is therefore likely to have a direct impact in the classroom and upon children's chances of success. Ministers have known about this problem but have failed to act. This report should act as a wake-up call.