The School
Business
Leader Wellbeing
Index.
In line with our continued dedication to the education sector, we conduct annual research into the current mental health and wellbeing needs of School Business Leaders working in England and Wales.
As the operational and financial responsibilities of schools continue to grow in scale and complexity, SBLs increasingly find themselves managing high‑stakes pressures that can significantly impact their emotional resilience, job satisfaction, and long‑term wellbeing.
Seeing a clear gap in sector insight, Education Mutual set out to better understand the wellbeing needs of SBLs working in state‑funded primary, secondary and special schools throughout England and Wales. Initial research was undertaken in 2022 (in partnership with Education Support), with follow-up research conducted each year to provide the ‘SBL Wellbeing Index’.
This project is not only conducted for those working in SBL roles, but for everyone connected to them such as colleagues, senior leaders, governors, policymakers, and organisations across the wider education sector.
Role definition within our research
We use the term School Business Leader broadly to represent and bring forward the experiences of individuals working across related roles —including School Business Leaders, CEOs, CFOs, Operations and Finance Managers, Facilities Managers, Administrative staff, and HR professionals.
A summarised methodology
We deliver a mixed-methods design for the research, incorporating online survey responses, alongside a selection of telephone or online in-depth interviews with respondents to further explore issues raised. We aim to understand the work‑related factors that have the greatest impact, helping us enhance and tailor our service provision for schools and trusts.
The project is guided by the following research questions:
A look at wellbeing in 2026
Education Mutual is delighted to continue supporting the School Business Leader community with the launch of the 2026 edition of the index. We hope this research not only validates current experiences but also serves as a practical tool to help navigate the ongoing changes across the education sector.
Maintained School version
Browse the latest insights into the wellbeing experiences of those working in maintained and local authority schools.
Multi-Academy Trust version
This trust‑specific version of the report will be released in June 2026, providing a tailored insight into the experiences of those working within academies.
ASCL x Education Mutual
Business Leader Roadshows
We’re excited to share that the Business Leader Roadshows are back for 2026. This full-day event brings together the policy insights, practical strategies, and personal resilience tools. Bookings are now live for Birmingham and Wales locations.
Turning the findings into change
Tailored editions
What began as a single annual report has now grown into two dedicated editions each year: a Maintained School version and a Multi‑Academy Trust version.
Protection growth
By understanding the emerging issues affecting schools, we adapt our protection to ensure it remains supportive.
Amplify the SBL voice
Actively sharing insights at events, conferences, and sector‑wide discussions throughout the UK.
Introduce new services
We refresh existing services and expand the range of targeted support available to our members schools and trusts.
National events
Following the success of our own event, Ed‑Fest 2023, we continue to host dedicated SBL days across the country.
Drive awareness
The findings enable us to help normalise open discussions about SBL mental health, workload, and workplace pressures.
Earlier editions of the report
