Three out of five head teachers have considered quitting, survey suggests

More than 60% of head teachers in Scotland’s secondary schools have considered leaving the job in the past two years, a survey suggests.

School Leaders Scotland (SLS), which represents senior teachers, published a survey of 323 members of staff on Thursday, showing 61% of respondents had considered leaving the job, compared to 33% who had not, and 6% who refused to say.

The report described the number of teachers considering leaving a “depressing statistic”.

“It is not unsurprising to learn that many school leaders are contemplating early retirement or leaving the profession due to unsustainable workload, reduced resources, and mounting stress,” the report said.

“School leaders are clear why this is the case.

“The pressure of managing schools amid budget cuts, staffing shortages and unrealistic expectations has made the role increasingly difficult.

“Work/life balance is severely impacted, with many struggling to maintain their health and family relationships while working excessive hours.”

In the same survey, 57% of respondents said they struggled to maintain a good work/life balance.

The majority identified extra support for pupils with additional support needs (ASN) as one of the three things they would look for to make their job more manageable.

The number of pupils identified as having additional support needs has risen to 40% in recent years, according to watchdog Audit Scotland.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government recognises and appreciates the hard work of our teachers.

“Our determination to support them means that Scottish classroom teachers, on the main-grade scale, are the best paid in the UK.

“We are clear that reducing class contact time will help address critical concerns around teacher workload, thereby creating the space to drive improvement and reform in our schools and improve outcomes for pupils.

“We are working with unions and Cosla to agree our approach to reducing class contact time.

“We are also providing local authorities with an additional £186.5 million to restore teacher numbers, alongside an additional £29 million to support the recruitment and retention of the ASN workforce.”

But Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs said the report “lays bare the growing disenchantment” among school leaders.

“The SNP promised to reduce workloads and boost teacher numbers, but they’ve failed on both fronts,” he said.

“Violent and abusive behaviour in schools is rising, yet ministers have shown no urgency in tackling it.

“These findings are a damning indictment of the SNP’s mismanagement of our education system.

“These are not isolated concerns, they are systemic.”

Scottish Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy said teachers are at “breaking point” and the Government is offering a “woeful lack of support”.

“Teachers and school leaders are going above and beyond to paper over the cracks of SNP failure, but pupils and staff deserve better,” she said.

“The SNP has failed to act as pressures mount on our schools – from rising violence to overstretched ASN services.”