The Evolving Reality for School Business Leaders
A Four-Year Wellbeing Review
School business leadership has never been a small role, and in recent years the pressures attached to it have become harder to ignore. As responsibilities have widened and expectations have increased, many SBLs have found themselves facing growing pressure, broader responsibilities and increasing demands on their time and wellbeing.
Drawing on four years of research into the mental health and wellbeing of school business leaders across England and Wales, Education Mutual brings those findings together to reveal the bigger picture. This session explores the pressures that have remained stubbornly constant, the emerging demands reshaping the role, and what the data tells us about where signs of progress are beginning to appear, and where challenges remain unresolved.
In this session we explore
• What four years of research reveal about the changing reality of the SBL role
• Which pressures have remained consistent, and which demands have intensified over time
• How workload, responsibility and rising expectations are affecting wellbeing
• The impact of expectations from senior leaders, governors, trustees and colleagues
• Where support, networks and practical interventions are making a positive difference
• What schools, trusts and sector leaders need to do next to better support SBLs
Take home points
• A clearer picture of the wellbeing pressures facing SBLs post-pandemic
• Insight into the newer demands shaping the role in 2026
• Greater understanding of the factors driving stress, pressure and overload
• Examples of where support and intervention have made a measurable difference
• Clarity on where action is still most urgently needed
This session is for
School business leaders, headteachers, senior leaders, trust CEOs, CFOs and central team leaders, as well as anyone responsible for supporting, managing or working alongside school and trust operations staff.
Lucy Rose and Sam Rowland
About the speakers
Lucy Rose is a membership advocate at Education Mutual, where she plays a key role within the new memberships Team. Lucy is also a key membership advocate representative for regions including Leeds and Hertfordshire, where she acts as a primary point of contact for schools and stakeholders. She proudly represents Education Mutual in partnerships with organisations such as HFL Education, helping to strengthen regional engagement and promote the value of mutual support for education staff.
Sam Rowland is a membership advocate at Education Mutual, where she focuses on representing and supporting the new memberships arm of the organisation. Sam works closely with schools across regions including Cumbria and Oxfordshire, building strong relationships and providing dedicated guidance. In addition, Sam serves as the dedicated partnership representative for OTSA, where she represents Education Mutual and supports collaborative efforts to improve staff support across the education sector.