Recruitment and Retention of Senior School Leaders in Wales

This project aims to broaden the evidence base on issues impacting recruitment and retention of senior school leaders in Wales and set out strategic proposals to inform policy responses

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Ongoing
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Summary & aims

The supply of school leaders has been noted to face challenges, both nationally and in Wales, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic. This has led to fewer middle leaders aspiring to become senior leaders and headteachers, more teachers leaving the profession following the pandemic, and ultimately affected pupils’ experiences and outcomes.

This project aims to broaden the evidence base on the experiences of senior school leaders, and factors that impact recruitment and retention in those roles. This research will develop proposals for policy responses on these issues.

Methodology

This research will be based on a review of quantitative evidence on the state of the senior school leadership workforce in Wales, as well as qualitative research with  current, ‘former’ and ‘future’ senior school leaders.

This research is conducted in partnership with the Education Policy Institute (EPI). The review of existing data will be led by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), and the qualitative research will be led by NIESR.

Principal Investigator

Recruitment and Retention of Senior School Leaders in Wales
Senior Social Researcher

Co-Investigator

Private: Johnny Runge
Principal Social Researcher

Researchers

Jasmin Rostron
Associate Social Researcher
Sophie Kitson
Assistant Social Researcher

Research Partners