School leaders spend much of their time looking after everyone else. But who looks after them?
Education Support’s 2025 Teacher Wellbeing Index found that 86 per cent of senior leaders were stressed, and 81 per cent felt they had too much to do and not enough time to do it for at least three-quarters of the time. Among leaders who reported symptoms, 41 per cent thought they could be signs of burnout. The DfE’s own survey found full-time leaders worked an average of 56.5 hours a week in 2025. Here are 17 wellbeing strategies for school leaders, particularly headteachers, deputies, assistant heads and trust leaders.
1. Accept that you cannot do everything
Leadership roles can expand to fill every available hour. Deciding what not to do is a vital leadership skill.
2. Delegate properly
Give colleagues real ownership of tasks, with clear expectations, and then trust them. Delegation also develops your team.
3. Protect thinking time
Block out time in your diary for strategic work and treat it like any other appointment.
4. Have a cut-off time for emails
Being constantly available is exhausting and sets the wrong example. Agree with your team how genuine emergencies will reach you.
5. Get professional supervision or coaching
Education Support recommends professional supervision and reflective practice for leaders. Talking through difficult cases with someone outside your school can reduce the emotional load.
6. Build a peer network
Other heads understand the pressures in a way few others can. Local networks, trust groups and union branches can all offer support.
7. Use your governors and trustees
Good governance includes looking after the head’s wellbeing. Be honest with your chair about workload and pressures.
8. Share the difficult decisions
Where appropriate, involve your senior team in difficult calls. Carrying every decision alone is draining.
9. Plan for safeguarding fatigue
Leaders often deal with distressing safeguarding cases. Build in debriefs and make sure designated safeguarding leads have access to supervision.
10. Protect your sleep
Over half of senior leaders reported insomnia in the 2025 index. Keep work devices out of the bedroom and give yourself time to wind down.
11. Take your lunch break
Even 15 minutes away from your desk helps. It also shows staff that breaks are acceptable.
12. Stay connected to teaching
Many leaders say time with pupils reminds them why they do the job. If you can, keep some contact with classrooms.
13. Prepare for inspection without overpreparing
Keep documents up to date as part of normal work, so inspection does not mean weeks of extra preparation.
14. Take your holidays
Leaders often work through holidays. Agree a few weeks a year when you are truly unavailable, with clear cover arrangements.
15. Know your warning signs
Irritability, poor sleep, forgetfulness and dreading Sunday evenings can all be early signs of burnout. Notice them and act early.
16. Celebrate what is going well
Leaders tend to focus on problems. Take time to notice the progress your school is making.
17. Ask for help
Leaders are often the last to ask for support. Talk to your GP, a trusted colleague, your union or Education Support’s free helpline on 08000 562 561.
Find Out More
Read 17 Ways Schools Can Build a Culture That Doesn’t Burn Staff Out.
Education Support: Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025 (PDF)
How do you look after yourself as a school leader? Teach17 would love to hear from you. Get in touch.