Schools in England and Wales are finding it increasingly difficult to fill vacant head teachers' posts, research has found.

Half of all primary schools received five or fewer applications when they advertised a headteachers' post, the study found.

The biggest problems were in London, where 40% of primary school headships had to be re-advertised after failing to attract sufficient good quality applicants.

The study's compilers said the survey showed schools had little choice in who to appoint - and said the recruitment situation had never been worse.

Applications per vacancy (average)

Primary schools: 5 Secondary schools: 16 Special schools: 5

The annual study, for the National Association of Head Teachers and Secondary Heads Association unions, showed the numbers applying for senior positions was still declining year-on-year.

Secondary schools received an average of 16 applications per vacancy, and special schools an average of five applications for each vacancy.

Analysis of over 2,200 posts advertised between September 2001 and June 2002 found very few new senior appointments were from members of ethnic minority groups.

It found most appointments of headteachers followed the retirement of the previous post holder, and most were appointed while in their 40s.

Pay rise mooted

Most new heads in primary and special schools were women, while the majority of new heads in secondary schools were men.

David Hart predicts trouble ahead

The researchers also found that for deputy head posts, primary schools received an average of fewer than six applications, secondary schools around 20 and special schools just five.

For assistant head teacher posts, primary schools averaged four applications and secondary schools 21 applications.

"The labour market for senior staff remains in a fragile state with many schools facing little choice in whom to appoint," said the report.

The findings have been sent to the School Teachers' Review Body to back up the case for a substantial increase in the salaries of heads, assistants and deputies.

Problems ahead

General secretary of the NAHT David Hart said the findings presented serious problems for the future.

"This will cause even more problems in a few years' time when schools are looking to appoint a new head teacher," said Mr Hart.

"In the past, the recruitment problems were largely in London and the South East, but this year schools across England and Wales have been struggling to appoint staff to posts on the leadership scale."

SHA general secretary John Dunford said: "Too many heads are still retiring before reaching 60.

"Whatever the reason, and workload must play a significant part in their decision to leave, this is a terrible waste of talent that can be ill-afforded by the education system."

'Getting better'

But the Department for Education and Skills said the vacancy rate for heads had fallen for three years running and was now lower than at any time since 1997.

"There are currently 160 vacancies nationally compared to 227 in 1999," a spokesperson said.

"There are over 20,000 more teachers in post than in 1997 - the highest since 1984.

Salaries for head teachers were at "a record high".

"We will continue with our radical reforms of the workforce, cutting the workload on heads, ensuring they have the support they need and giving them guaranteeed 'leadership time' to ensure they can focus on raising standards."