A recent poll highlights a mental health crisis among school leaders, with the majority reporting a negative impact on their well-being over the past year, and some even stepping down from their roles.

The survey, conducted by the school leaders’ union NAHT, also revealed a sharp decline in interest for headship positions, with only one in five senior leaders aspiring to take on the role.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman has called for immediate action to tackle the crisis. He stressed the importance of making school leadership an appealing career choice again and urged for “real ambition” in areas such as pay, funding, inspection processes, and reducing workload.

These findings precede the NAHT’s annual conference in Harrogate this weekend, where a key motion will address the intense pressures faced by school leaders, describing them as being driven to “crisis point.”

The motion emphasizes the connection between these challenges and the departure of leaders from the profession, calling for urgent action to prioritize the mental health and well-being of those managing schools. The debate, set for Saturday, is expected to be a central focus of the conference.

A survey of 1,517 NAHT members in England revealed that 65% of school leaders experienced a negative impact on their mental health over the past year. Conducted between September and October 2024, the poll also showed a record low in aspirations for headship, with only 20% of senior leaders aiming for the role—a decline since the NAHT began its wellbeing survey in 2016.

The findings highlighted that 45% of school leaders sought mental health and wellbeing support in the last year. Additionally, 88% reported disrupted sleep, 77% experienced increased worry and stress, 76% noted negative effects on their family or personal life, and 59% said their physical health had suffered due to their role.

Hilary Mitchell, former principal of Caldmore Primary Academy in Walsall, shared how the pressures of her job led to her resignation at Easter. She described the overwhelming demands, including cleaning, administrative tasks, and supervising breaks, which often left her working late into the night and caused strain in her personal relationships. After struggling with stress post-COVID and spending holidays consumed by work-related worries, Ms. Mitchell ultimately decided to leave the profession for good.