English schools could be facing a leadership crisis as workplace stress and poor mental health hits senior figures. A survey of 500 school leaders and head teachers across England has revealed that one in four are planning to leave their roles within the next three years, with nearly a quarter (23%) blaming stress and poor mental health
Commercial Services Group, who commissioned the survey, said the impending exodus comes at a time when school leaders are under pressure to make difficult decisions to balance increasingly limited budgets.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of schools’ plan to cut back on essential teaching materials like classroom supplies. Fewer than one in ten schools report making no financial cutbacks at all.
Matt Johnson, CEO of Commercial Services Group, said:“These findings deliver a clear and urgent message, that school and trust leaders need greater support. They are working diligently in increasingly difficult conditions, often forced to make impossible decisions. This is not a failure of leadership, it’s a universal issue that calls for a collective, sector-wide response. We’re committed to standing alongside education leaders to help create sustainable, practical solutions that support both staff and students.”
The ongoing struggle to recruit and retain staff is cited by one in five education leaders (20%) as a key driver of burnout and resignation. Closely followed are frustrations with government policies (18%) and the relentless pressure of accountability measures, including Ofsted inspections and exam results (17%). These findings suggest leaders are not stepping away due to a lack of commitment, they are being overwhelmed by inherent structural challenges beyond their control.
Commercial Services Group is a public sector-owned organisation that reinvests every penny back into the communities it serves. Supporting over 22,000 organisations and thousands of schools across the UK, its services span procurement, HR, energy management, recruitment, Special educational needs and disability (SEND) support, legal services, school supplies, and school improvement.
Matt added: “There is a real opportunity now to form stronger alignment between government, the education sector, and those of us who support it. Our role is to listen, share evidence-based insight, and help create a collaborative environment that enable leaders to focus on what matters most, delivering high-quality education for every child.”
To find out more, visit www.commercialservices.org.uk.
