Headteachers are breaking down in tears, suffering migraines and even passing out, with six in 10 admitting they have considered changing jobs in the past year because of increased level of stress.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) union says more school leaders than ever before are considering leaving the profession, and “fewer and fewer” middle leaders are aspiring to take on the job because they see how punishing it is. They are balloting members on strike action, with a deadline of 11 January, but a spokesperson said school closures would remain a “last resort”.
The head of a state school in Cumbria shared the resignation letter she sent recently to her board of governors with the Observer. “The last two and a half years have been the toughest I have ever known,” the letter begins. “The experience has almost broken me, and the situation shows no signs of improving.”
She wrote that she is “exhausted by the continued battles” as a result of 10 years of cuts to school funding and the “relentless reduction” of other public services supposed to be helping children and their families.
Her letter ends: “I no longer want to work for a government that is so out of touch with reality and treats my profession and our children with such contempt.”
Read the full article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/dec/31/heart-attacks-headteachers-uk-quit-cuts