Schools 'timebomb' as 55% of heads near retirement

Up to 55% of headteachers could retire within four years, according to the government's chief adviser on school leadership who says schools are facing a "demographic time bomb" in the staff room.

Some schools may consider employing heads who have no experience of teaching in order to fill posts, said Steve Munby, head of the National College for School Leadership (NCSL). Official figures suggest that half of headteachers will retire in 10 years but internal research conducted by the NCSL reveals that the figure could be much higher. Up to 55% are due for retirement or could leave if current trends continue by 2012, Munby said.

"Looking at the age profile of the profession an estimated 55% will retire by 2012. One of our jobs is to address retention. It is a demographic timebomb," he said. A bulge in the number of headteachers about to turn 60 - fuelled by the 1950s baby-boomer generation - is behind the problem.