Long hours, pay cuts, abusive parents – no wonder headteachers are quitting

‘As well as getting students to learn how to read, write and do their sums, we are now also responsible for the rest of society’s ills.’ Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA

The record for the UK’s longest-serving headteacher stands at 57 years. I had no desire to challenge this staggering feat of longevity, but I had always intended to remain in post until I reached the age of retirement. But after 14 years, and some way off retirement, I changed my mind.

I came across an old newspaper article written about my appointment in 2007 as headteacher ​of a state secondary school. The person staring out of the page looked ridiculously young and optimistic. But looking at myself in the mirror, I was unrecognisable, with sunken eyes and a haunted look about me. I required trousers with an elasticated waistband, shoes with cushioned soles, unfeasibly high levels of caffeine and a 5.15am wakeup call just to get me through the average schoolday.