Surviving, thriving and reviving in leadership: The personal and professional development needs of educational leaders

Introduction: Within a context of recruitment and retention challenges, growing emotional demands and work intensification, this opinion piece argues that greater attention needs to be given to individual leaders’ personal development – their well-being and developing the personal qualities required to operate in such demanding conditions. It also asks how can we ensure their continuing effective performance, all the more important while working within a high-stakes accountability culture? In other words, what is needed for head teachers and other senior leaders to ‘survive’, ‘thrive’ and also ‘revive’ in the current performative educational landscape in England and other jurisdictions? Given the widely recognised importance of effective leadership for successful schools, this opinion piece suggests how the work of leaders can be more sustainable, ensuring they continue to operate successfully, both in the interests of their pupils and their own well-being