Work stress stops teachers going for promotion

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A new study of the career progress of primary school teachers shows that job stress is preventing them aiming for headships.

The research, by two Sussex education specialists, reveals that relatively few recently trained teachers actually want to leave the profession, but many are reluctant to move away from the classroom and into management.

"Given the extra pressures on teachers these days, we thought they would want to leave in droves," says Dr Vivienne Griffiths, Institute of Education English tutor who, along with MA programme co-ordinator Dr Angela Jacklin, carried out the survey.

"The results surprised us. People want to stay in the profession, but they feel strongly that they don't wish to be anything higher than a subject co-ordinator. They don't want the added responsibility and pressure in the current climate. This could have drastic implications when there is already a shortage of head teachers."

The study was carried out on teachers who trained on the Sussex Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) primary course between 1990 and 1999. Questionnaires were sent to more than 400 former students.

Of the 40 per cent who responded, nearly 80 per cent were still in teaching. Those who had left the profession gave various reasons, including increasing levels of stress in the job.

The researchers also found that, compared to the more recent graduates, some of those who had finished their training a decade ago were still keen to reach headship, in spite of current pressures. "Some of them had already reached senior levels and perhaps felt they had already got over the hurdle," says Vivienne.

"But they entered the profession when there were far fewer restrictions on what they could and couldn't do. They were more inclined to aim for senior positions from early in their teaching careers."

"There wasn't the same degree of target setting then as there is now. More recent graduates are realistic from the start about the pressures. What we may find is that they reach burn-out much sooner."

Vivienne and Angela, who have now received a £35,000 grant from the Economic and Social Research Council to continue research into recent graduates, are presenting their findings in a seminar on 7 November in the Library meeting room, from 12.30pm to 2pm.