STRESS levels amongst heads are causing concern. In my authority more than a quarter of heads have taken early retirement in the past five years on health grounds.
Unfortunately, a recent survey shows some 80 per cent of heads find dealing with governors stressful. We rate higher as a stress factor than pupils. More worryingly, in an analysis of support sougt by heads, governors come bottom of the list, behind doctors, colleagues, friends, family, the authority and trade unions. Actually, we tie for bottom place with alcohol; if all else fails, talk to the chair of governors or reach for the whisky bottle. I can’t help hoping that one of just three heads who would seek support from hisher chair was mine.
