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A life in the day of a headteacher: a study of practice and well-being

Author: National College
Subject: Headship
Audience: Headteachers
Date of publication: March 2007   |   File format and size: PDF, 362 Kb

Relentlessness, accountability and complexity are some of the major issues facing the profession of headship. This study explores the concepts of well-being, work-life balance, stress and job satisfaction.
The study used a three-stage methodology to gather data upon their working lives:

  • a journal of headship completed over the course of two weeks
  • a non-participant observation of a working day
  •  a follow-up interview

Key findings

Descriptions in the journals showed that participants’ working lives are demanding and pressured, with a fast pace and involving long hours. The variety of their work was also evident, with participants needing to be flexible and responsive to unexpected challenges. Indeed, half of the participants in this study highlighted the fact that there was no such thing as a typical day.

The majority of those who said that they relish the challenges and enjoy the variety of the role, and achieve a positive work-life balance, were more often those who

  • had effectively distributed leadership across and within the school
  • could prioritise their personal and professional lives
  • could deal confidently and comfortably with negative staff, parent and pupil issues
  • who fostered and were part of supportive networks or collaboratives
  • who had a positive and active life outside school.

These strategies offer us insights and implications for stakeholders into how and why some headteachers manage to achieve a work-life balance, and find satisfaction and reward in their role.

The shorter practitioner report is also available.