Amidst mounting mental health challenges, school leaders are facing the highest levels of physical violence, threats, and bullying in the 13-year history of ACU’s annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Survey.
Professor Herb Marsh, a world-leading educational psychologist and co-lead investigator of the report since 2016, expressed that while school leaders were remarkably resilient, the increasing demands on the job and burnout are putting leaders at risk.
Western Australian Primary Principals’ Association (WAPPA) President, Niel Smith, says that the increasing demands are not sustainable.
“We are seeing school leaders working extraordinary hours, taking on a myriad of roles that do not form part of their job description and then having to face the emotional toll from trying to be all things to all people,” says Smith.
The latest data from ACU’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE) surveying 2,300 principals indicate a 76.5% increase in instances of physical violence since 2011.
Moreover, school leaders experience higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population, with early career principals being particularly vulnerable.
Heavy workloads and insufficient time for teaching and learning remain the top stressors for school leaders. Concerns over student and staff mental health, along with student-related issues, further contribute to their stress levels.
Alarmingly, more than half of school principals express intentions to quit or retire early, with experienced leaders, spanning over 15 years, leading the exodus. Mid-career leaders with six to ten years of experience also show a significant desire to leave the profession.
Niel Smith says that although the figures are alarming, they are not surprising.
“The role is now so demanding and so complex that we see far fewer people applying for principal jobs and a number of positions readvertised each year,” says Smith.
As a professional association, WAPPA is dedicated to supporting primary school leaders through advocacy and legal support. With members reporting more cases of violence and mental health concerns, WAPPA advocates for the improvement of working conditions for primary school leaders with a call for change.
Smith states, “Violence and aggression are societal issues and need a whole of community response. Unfortunately, what we often see, is that schools are expected to manage these situations with minimal support.”