Union warns of a shortage as Edinburgh headmaster jobs are re-advertised

Published on Tuesday 17 November 2009 08:55

SCHOOLS in the Capital are struggling to attract headteachers to fill vacancies as unions warn of a national shortage.

A total of ten schools in Edinburgh are currently operating without a permanent head, with four posts having to be re-advertised over the past three months in a bid to attract candidates.

Even at Edinburgh's top- performing school, St Peter's Primary in Morningside, education bosses have been unable to recruit a new headteacher and are this week due to advertise the post for a second time.

Teaching unions warn this is a growing crisis, with a shortage of applicants across the primary and secondary sector.

They say the situation will only get worse unless headteachers are rewarded with a better work-life balance.

A new report has found that only eight per cent of current teachers want to become a headteacher, while only two per cent are in the process of studying for the Scottish Qualification for Headship.

Poll: Do you fancy an 80,000 a year job as the headteacher of a Capital school?

It also discovered that most headteachers work more than 50 hours per week, with 70 per cent saying that they are concerned about the "demanding" nature of the job and fewer than half – 47 per cent – saying they would recommend the headship role to their junior colleagues.

Unions say it is "inevitable" that teachers will be put off progressing their career to this level as they see the pressure and stresses the headteachers at their schools are under.

Colin Mackay, the Edinburgh branch secretary of the EIS teachers union, said: "People see their current headteacher being made ill by the job and how over-worked they are and the fact there isn't a work-life balance there.

"We need to change this culture of working till you drop and change attitudes so we can have a healthy work-life balance and, in turn, fit and healthy educators."

Neil Mclean, Edinburgh secretary of teaching union NASUWT, said: "Part of the problem in Edinburgh is due to the financial situation with some schools not replacing deputies who have retired or moved on, to try and save money and use the salary saved to support the budgets.

"However, all this does is make fewer people do the same amount of work as was there before, and possibly not as well. Heads need support."

City education leader Marilyne MacLaren is calling for a report on the issue and the challenges faced by headteachers. She said: "Recruiting headteachers is among the most important things we do."

The Scottish Government denied claims by unions that there is a headteacher shortage in Scotland.

Education secretary Fiona Hyslop said ministers were providing more support to teachers to gain the qualifications needed to become a head and are working with councils on the issue.