From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

STRESS BLIGHTS HEADTEACHERS IN SCOTLAND
Long hours culture widespread, says report

The Herald recently reported that most Scottish headteachers work more than 50 hours a week.

The paper cited academics from the universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cambridge working from the Scottish Government, saying that 66 per cent of heads worked more than 50 hours a week, while nearly one-quarter worked more than 60 hours.

The report also described the extent of stress and anxiety amongst Scottish heads, with 70 per cent of respondents to their survey saying that the demands of their jobs were a concern.

In response Teacher Support Scotland Chief Executive, Julian Stanley, said: “The dedication headteachers and teachers across Scotland show to their jobs is second to none, relishing as they do their chance to play a profoundly positive role in the education and development of their pupils.

“However, this dedication can lead to heads spending too much of their lives working; too many hours away from their families and personal lives. Long hours can wear down headteachers, reducing their resilience and their ability to cope with the stress and strains of school life. In our experience this can lead to physical and mental health problems over a long period of time.

“A healthy work-life balance means a more effective teacher. Schools must work together to ensure that teachers at all levels of responsibility can maintain a positive ratio between their work and personal lives. This will benefit the wellbeing of individual heads and teachers as well as improve standards at the school.”