One in four schools struggled to find suitable headteacher, study finds

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"A new report reveals one in four schools seeking a headteacher at the start of the academic year struggled to fill the post by Christmas. Of state schools advertising in September, 27 per cent had to re-advertise the role by the festive period. Professor John Howson of Oxford Teacher Services found over 400 state schools in England advertised a headteacher vacancy between August and December 2025."

"Professor John Howson of Oxford Teacher Services found over 400 state schools in England advertised a headteacher vacancy between August and December 2025. Special schools faced particular challenges, with one in five (20 per cent) headteacher vacancies requiring re-advertisement after initial efforts. The problems recruiting staff for special schools are often overlooked when the Send crisis is discussed, and deserves more attention from policymakers, Prof Howson concluded. Roman Catholic schools also were more likely to have to readvertise headteacher posts."

The Independent requests donations to fund on-the-ground journalism and keeps reporting free of paywalls, relying on supporters to cover costs. A report found that one in four schools advertising a headteacher at the start of the academic year struggled to fill the post by Christmas. Of state schools advertising in September, 27 per cent had to re-advertise the role by the festive period. Over 400 state schools in England advertised a headteacher vacancy between August and December 2025. Special schools experienced particular recruitment difficulty, with 20 per cent needing re-advertisement. Roman Catholic schools were also more likely to re-advertise. The government plans a delayed schools white paper on SEND in 2026.

Read at www.independent.co.uk