Burn-out is an ever-present and seemingly ever-increasing threat for school leaders as Sam Strickland knows all too well. He discusses his own experience and offers six ways to reduce burn-out
Wellbeing threat: 49% of school leaders have sought professional support for mental health concerns in the past year, while 72% say their role has negatively impacted their wellbeing - Adobe Stock

For me, the moment I felt burnt out was during the pandemic. The parameters and goalposts had changed unrecognisably. I remember just before we broke up for Christmas in the first year of the pandemic, schools had to implement lateral flow tests and I thought: "I am done."

Almost on the turn of a sixpence, Department for Education guidance came out as we broke for Christmas, stating that we had to keep working until December 22 in case of an outbreak. I remember a colleague and I having to message each other at 11:50pm on Christmas Eve because we had an issue with Covid in one of our year groups, forcing us to ruin Christmas Day for many of our families.

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