Author: John Howson of dataforEducation

Executive Summary

• A review of headteacher turnover in state funded schools between 1^st August 2025 and 31^st July 2026.
• Data collected from DfE Vacancy site and other job boards.
• 1,407 schools recorded as advertising for a headteacher.
• 1,639 advertisements including re-advertisements, a similar number to a decade ago.
• 1,008 Primary Sector; 291 Secondary Sector and 107 Special Sector schools were recorded as advertising for a headteacher.
• 6% of Primary Sector; 8% of Secondary Sector and 10% of Special Sector schools were recorded as advertising for a headteacher.
• Yorkshire & The Humber and East of England Regions recorded the highest percentage of secondary sector headteacher vacancies re-advertised. No re-advertisements for a secondary school headteacher were recorded in the North East Region.
• More than 100 secondary schools offered a starting salary in excess of £100,000.
• The East of England, East Midlands and South West regions recorded the highest rates of primary sector headteacher vacancies re-advertised.
• This year, thirty-one primary schools and two nurseries had a salary range starting below £60,000.
• Re-advertisement rates for special schools were higher than in the other two sectors.
• Faith schools were more likely to readvertise a headteacher vacancy than non-faith schools. This is not a new finding.
• Vacancies advertised between August and November are most likely to be re-advertised.

For a full copy of the report, email: dataforeducation@gmail.com