LEADERS LONG HOURS

Released 20/08/2008

Secondary school leaders working unacceptable hours

Secondary school leaders are working unacceptable hours, according to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).

The comments came in response to the latest survey on school teacher workload, published by the School Teachers Review Body.

ASCL General Secretary Dr John Dunford said: "The small sample size and nature of this survey always makes it difficult to draw conclusions on an annual basis. However, the overall trend is clear. School leaders don't need statistics to tell them that their workload is unacceptably high."

"We know that workload is one factor that puts off good teachers from applying for promotion to senior roles. Problems recruiting and retaining heads and other senior leaders will continue as long as their workload remains disproportionately heavy," he continued.

"ASCL will not ease off the pressure on the government to address the workload concerns of school leaders until we see a consistent downward trend in the number of hours worked. We are especially worried about work-life balance this academic year, with a raft of curriculum changes starting in September - including revised GCSEs and A levels, the introduction of diplomas, functional skills tests and the extended project - and many other changes arising from the government's 2007 Children's Plan," said Dunford.

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