New Zealand Primary Principals and Schools Leaders

Primary Principals and Schools Leaders

Since 2016, the New Zealand Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey has reached over 7,000 primary school principals and school leaders. In partnership with the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa, the survey has produced high quality longitudinal evidence of the impact that school leadership roles have the on the occupational health, safety and wellbeing of New Zealands’ primary school leaders.

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Research Findings

The survey has consistently shown that many school leaders work long hours, face heavy workplace demands and are stressed by their workloads. School leaders also appear to be prone to suffer from burnout, sleeping troubles and stress as a result of their work.

Key Issues for New Zealand Principals and School Leaders (Year 2020)

* NZ General population refers to the averages scores for the working population of New Zealand.

Workload during school terms

Principals and School Leaders ( Year 2020)

69.9% worked upwards of 50 hours per week
45.5% worked upwards of 55 hours per week
19.9% worked upwards of 60 hours per week

Top Source Of Stress

Principals and School Leaders ( Year 2020)

The greatest source of stress for all principals and deputies/assistants is the sheer quantity of work,
closely followed by a lack of time to focus on teaching and learning.

Demands at Work

Principals and School Leaders ( Year 2020)

Job demands are the physical, psychological, social or organizational aspects of a job that require continuous physical and/or psychological effort

Offensive Behaviours

Principals and School Leaders ( Year 2020)

Approximately one third of school leaders experienced threats of violence or violence in the last 12 months of their work.

Key Issues for New Zealand Principals and School Leaders

98.7% of principals worked upwards of 40 hours per week – over half of all school leaders surveyed reported working more than 50 hours a week. 27% reported working upwards of 60 hours per week

The greatest source of stress for all principals and deputies/assistants is the sheer quantity of work, closely followed by a lack of time to focus on teaching and learning.

High Workplace demands and work family conflict

Burnout, Sleeping Troubles and Stress

Approximately one third of school leaders experienced threats of violence or violence in the last 12 months of their work

Research Impact

This research has highlighted the need to improve principals working lives through the provision of:

  • Improved school resources to support the work practices of principals and deputy principals
  • Improving professional support
  • Professional development and support for building and maintaining effective professional relationships
  • Addressing occupational violence and aggression in schools

Evidence from the New Zealand Principal Survey has been used to guide education policy in New Zealand. Aggregated results from the research have been used to brief professional associations, the Ministry of Education, employer bodies such as the New Zealand School Trustees Association, and other principals and senior leaders’ groups.