NAHT calls for more support for school leaders mental health

The school leaders union NAHT has published the results from its annual poll.

The poll of 1,517 leaders found that:

• 45% of school leaders needed mental health and well-being support in just a year
• 72% said the job had a negative impact on their mental health over the last 12 months – up from 65% the previous year
• 92%, said the role had affected their sleep, up from 88%
• 83% reported increased worry and stress, up from 77%
• 61% identified a negative impact on their physical health, up from 59%
• 72% reported a reduction in time spent with family and friends, up from 71%.

Of the 45% of leaders who needed mental health support in the previous year, 38% accessed help, but 4% did not know how to and 3% said assistance was not available.

NAHT is calling for the government to agree to a universal, fully-funded and ongoing entitlement to professional supervision for all leaders. They  found 75% of leaders would value professional supervision. While 33% had received supervision, of whom 80% found it to be helpful or very helpful and 42% had been unable to access it. This is often due to funding pressures.

How does your school support the headteacher?