CATHERINE PRIGGS, EDUCATION CONSULTANT, UK
Returning to school leadership following maternity leave represents a pivotal stage in a teacher’s career, with implications not only for individual leaders but also for the wider effectiveness and stability of the school workforce. Leadership roles are highly visible, strategically important and demanding; yet mothers returning from leave often face stigma, structural barriers and limited flexibility (Perry et al., 2025; Sheppard, 2023). These challenges can lead to attrition, career stagnation or diminished confidence, resulting in a loss of professional expertise and institutional knowledge, which schools can ill afford (DfE, 2022; McLean and Worth, 2025). This article examines both empirical evidence and practical case studies to illustrate strategies that support the reintegration and retention of leader-mothers, with the aim of outlining practical solutions that can be implemented at both school and system levels.
Barriers and st
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