Primary schools are struggling to fill head teacher vacancies

According to figures from TeachVac, a company which helps teachers search for jobs, primary schools are having to re-advertise head teacher roles.

The data shows that a quarter of primary schools (26 per cent) looking for a new head have had to re-advertise in the first three months of this year, compared with 10 per cent of secondary schools.

In January this year, 80 per cent of headships in Derbyshire and 64 per cent in Hampshire were re-advertised.

John Howson, an education data analyst who runs TeachVac, said infant and junior schools, as well as faith and primary schools, struggled the most because the pool of candidates was small.

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said candidates needed to be sure they would not lose their jobs if results fell, particularly in rural areas.

He continued: “The idea your career could come to an end if several children get poor results – that’s the main thing that needs to change for people to take on headships.

“It’s the scrutiny, and churning through data, and not being in front of the children that discourages them.”