SCHOOLS in Lancashire are facing a “looming leadership crisis”, according to a new report.

It predicts secondary schools across the county could face a shortage of 28 per cent and primary schools a shortage of between 10 and 20 per cent by 2022.

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Unions have warned the crisis is the “tip of the iceberg” and is affecting the whole teaching profession not just headteachers, deputy heads and academy executives.

The report, by charities Teach First, The Future Leaders Trust and Teaching Leaders, said the growth of multi-academy trusts, an increase in pupil numbers, school leaders retiring or leaving early and challenges in attracting and retaining leaders will lead to a shortage.

Simon Jones, Lancashire representative for the National Union of Teachers, said: “It is not surprising there is a whole teacher crisis looming. This is the tip of the iceberg.

“The main reason teachers and headteachers give for leaving the profession is workload.

“Headteachers are working 80 hours a week and it is not sustainable.”

He said he could not overstate the pressure of SATs, Ofsted inspections and constant changes.

“I have a long list of teachers who about 20 years ago would have felt it was appropriate to become a deputy head or a head, but they are not doing it now.

“They have seen what it is doing to current heads.”

Cllr Dave Harling, executive member for schools at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We have had problems recruiting in some schools for some time because a number of job adverts have had to go out repeatedly.

“It affects faith schools more because they have got a faith requirement.

“I think teaching is a less attractive profession than it used to be because of the way it has been treated by government and the demands placed on headteachers and ordinary teachers.”

A Department for Education spokeswoman said it “does not recognise these figures”.

She said: “However, we recognise that we need to work with the profession to ensure we can develop even more great school leaders.”