Headteacher retention rates are falling, research shows

Research carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has found that headteacher retention rates have fallen since 2012, giving cause for concern.

Researchers found that, although more than 90 per cent of headteachers are retained in headship each year, retention rates have fallen between 2012 and 2015, particularly in secondary schools.

The NFER report Keeping Your Head: NFER Analysis of Headteacher Retention, found retention rates for primary headteachers fell from 94 per cent in 2012 to 92 per cent in 2015 and for secondary headteachers, retention fell from 91 per cent in 2012 to 87 per cent in 2015.

The report also looked at factors that may have influenced the retention rate.

It found that higher retention is seen in schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted but lower retention is seen in schools rated as Inadequate.

In addition to this, the research revealed that headteacher retention rates are lower in schools with low levels of attainment.

NFER chief executive, Carole Willis, commented: “Given the challenges facing the system, it’s more important than ever to understand how head teacher retention rates are changing, and why.

“Through this new research, we provide some insight into the motivations of headteachers who stay in their role or leave the profession entirely. We also identify practical steps to help schools, governors and policy-makers keep more headteachers in the profession.”