EAST Lancashire's schools are struggling to recruit headteachers, leaders have warned.

The National Union of Teachers in the region is among those calling for more to be done to attract good candidates to fill the posts.

The calls come after a report was published by The Future Leaders Trust claiming that the problem is present across the country.

It urges current school leaders to identify those with the potential to lead schools and help them to develop the skills they need for the job.

A poll by the trust found that that more than a quarter of heads questioned (28 per cent) were planning to leave the post within five years, while over half said they did not expect to be a headteacher in 10 years.

Simon Jones, who represents the NUT in East Lancashire, said: "There is a problem nationally and in East Lancashire with the recruitment of headteachers.

"I have had several reports of job adverts being posted and there being no applicants or a tiny number which are not acceptable.

"People are being put off becoming headteachers because of the relentless pressure of Ofsted, the regime of testing and the constant political interference.

"The stakes and the pressure have never been higher for headteachers now."

The report has been published just months after a new headteacher was appointed to Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Blackburn after eight years of 'uncertainty'.

The school failed to appoint a full-time headteacher for years because of now-resolved concerns over its future.

Chair of governors Nick Kennedy said: "We now have a great headteacher Michael Parker and we are delighted with the progress the school is showing at the moment.

"This is not just an East Lancashire problem because it's an issue in the whole country.

"People are leaving teaching who are potential headteacher material and fewer people want to take on that role any more."

The Department for Education has said that 'high quality school leaders are essential in delivering our vision of educational excellence everywhere'.

Liz Agbettoh, chief executive of the Cidari, Blackburn Diocese' multi academy trust, said: “We recognise that headteacher recruitment is a challenge but we believe that our family of schools provides an appealing environment for aspirant and established leaders to develop, flourish and succeed.

"We have encouraged all of our senior leaders to participate in the Future Leaders Programme as it provides an opportunity for prospective headteachers to receive first class CPD, to network with leaders outside their immediate locality and to reflect upon their future career development."