Headteachers of the nation’s small schools will be counting down the days to the Christmas holidays, as new research shows they are buckling under the strain – with seven in ten saying their stress levels are sky‑high and almost nine out of 10 thinking about quitting altogether.
And the study by HFL Education – which provides tailored support and resources to small schools – reveals that 95% of heads say urgent action is needed before more walk away.
The research – among headteachers leading primary schools with 100 pupils or fewer on their rolls – lays bare the hidden crisis at small schools across the country.
Key findings include:
- 67% of headteachers describe their stress levels as high or very high
- 88% have considered changing job
- Over a third (35%) say their stress levels have increased significantly over the past 12 months
- Budgets and finances (68%) top the list of the most stressful parts of the job
- The growing challenge and complexity of supporting children with special educational needs (66%) and juggling multiple priorities (65%) are also major issues
- 88% of headteachers struggled to switch off after school and a quarter say the stress wrecks their sleep
- One in six admits the job has damaged their mental health.
When asked what measures would support them better, answers included additional funding, being valued more by local authorities, opportunities to network with other small school leaders and ideas for collaboration beyond federating or joining a Trust.
Anne Peck, HFL’s Education Director for primary and early years at HFL Education and herself a former head of a small primary school, said the findings gave a sobering snapshot of life for the nation’s 2,000+ small school leaders.
“Our small schools are bastions of society, providing a great education for children in the most rural and remote parts of the country, as well as in some inner-city areas where numbers of families are falling fast.
“With such an important part to play in the education ecosystem, we can’t allow the plight of these headteachers to go unnoticed and risk losing them from the sector altogether.
“We must provide meaningful support for small schools which recognises their unique challenges and meets them where they are to find workable solutions. And we need to act fast as the number of small schools will only increase in the future as falling birthrates impact pupil enrolments.”
In their own words, headteachers reported that they ‘sink gradually until the end of term’ while others said the situation was ‘unmanageable and will eventually implode on itself’. Others said they would be taking early retirement to protect their own wellbeing.
Despite the strain, most heads still put their staff first. More than eight in ten say they prioritise their team’s wellbeing over their own, making sure colleagues get a work/life balance, keep their spirits up and feel appreciated even when times are tough.
Julie Kelly, Chair of the National Association of Small Schools, welcomes HFL’s research and hopes the insight into the challenges small school headteachers face will prompt more support.
“Being a small school head is very rewarding and you know every child, their family and work with a close-knit team. However, it’s unusual to have a deputy and you can be driving the minibus, taking on caretaker duties, teaching and increasingly coping with the demands of SEND parents who rely on the small school setting to support their children.
“All this with a shrinking budget and a struggle to keep up numbers as the threat of closure looms.
“Politicians need to be more aware and more willing to ensure the survival of these wonderful places of learning to ensure their future and the well being of their staff is paramount.”
HFL Education will be launching a new podcast series in 2026 focusing on the stories of small schools. Follow @HFLEducation on social media or visit hfleducation.org for updates.
