Public lecture to explore the hidden wellbeing costs of school leadership

The Wellbeing Cost of Being In-Between: Role Ambiguity, Workload and Burnout Among Middle Leaders will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 4pm to 5pm in School of Education 016, University of Chester, CH1 4BJ and online.

Delivered by Steve Lambert, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Chester, the lecture will explore why middle leadership has become one of the most challenging roles in education, despite being essential to the successful running of schools and colleges. 

Middle leaders, including heads of department, year leaders and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), often sit between senior leadership teams and classroom staff, balancing increasing responsibilities with limited authority to influence wider organisational change. Research suggests that nearly half of school leaders experience burnout often or all the time, with middle leaders frequently absorbing significant pressures. 

Drawing on the latest research and professional experience, Steve will examine the factors contributing to burnout among middle leaders and consider what changes may be needed to make educational leadership more sustainable in the future. The lecture will conclude with an opportunity for questions and discussion. 

Steve's work at the University of Chester focuses on educational leadership and policy, sustainable leadership, leadership traits and the role of emotions in leadership. He supervises master's and doctoral students and was awarded a national research fellowship by the Further Education Trust for Leadership (FETL) in 2016. Before joining higher education, he held several senior leadership positions across education, including roles in local and national government. 

Steve said: “Leaders in education have a difficult job, yet it is also immensely rewarding. They must balance the need to help children achieve their full potential while helping to lead complex, multi-million-pound organisations. Yet fewer people are willing to take that first step into leadership. This lecture explores what it is about these roles that can be so off-putting, focusing on the experiences of middle leaders and the important role they play in shaping how schools and colleges function. It is for anyone interested in education, whether they are a leader or not.” 

The lecture is free and open to all, and no prior knowledge is required. 

Booking is essential. To reserve a place, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/universityofchesterpublicevents/2378161 

Caption: Steve Lambert, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Chester.