Well-being of international school leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This paper reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of international school leaders. Drawing on a study of 13 leaders of international schools in 14 different countries, its key findings are that the pandemic resulted in increased stress, trauma and isolation for school leaders, and that school leader well-being is interdependent with the well-being of students and teachers. Yet, although student and teacher well-being has become a priority area post the pandemic, school leaders feel there is little or no attention paid to their own well-being. The data presented here suggest that more attention needs to be paid to international school leader well-being, for the benefit of all stakeholders in the school.