Ex-Headteacher: What Job Can I Do Next?

So, you’ve stepped away from headship, or you’re thinking about it, and suddenly you’re staring down a big question:

“What on earth do I do next?”

If you feel like the ground beneath your feet is slipping, to use a phrase from the poet Rilke, you feel like you’re ‘walking on fish’, notice it, take a breath and know you’re not alone.
And, you’re not failing, floundering, or letting anyone down.

In fact, wanting a change isn’t just normal, it’s healthy. Most of us will have three, four, even five distinct chapters in our working lives. If you started your career in your twenties, you’re likely to work for 45–50 years. Of course your needs, passions and priorities will evolve.

Stepping out of school leadership is not the end of your contribution, it’s the beginning of a new one.


Here’s how to start figuring out what’s next.


First: Give Yourself a Break

Headship is intense. It’s a role that draws heavily on your identity, your values, your energy, and your relationships. Headteachers often tell me they feel exhausted, disoriented, or unsure of their worth outside the school gates.

That’s OK. It takes time to decompress. To grieve what’s passed. To step out of constant doing and reconnect with your own voice.

If you're in that space, you're not lost, you're landing. Be gentle with yourself.


Second: You Don’t Need to Know Yet

One of the hardest parts of transition is the uncertainty. We like to know. We like a plan. We like being competent and being seen to be in control of our future - as if that was ever really possible!

But this chapter calls for exploration, not certainty. You may need to wander a little to discover what brings you energy, purpose, and joy now. That’s not wasted time, it’s the work of reinvention. It’s the liminal space between what was and what’s next.

Let go of the idea that you need to have the answer today. You don’t. Start with curiosity.


Looking Around Helps, But Start With You

It’s natural to look around and ask, “What are other ex-headteachers doing?” And that’s a good question, to a point.

Seeing the paths others have taken can spark ideas, widen your sense of possibility, and help you realise you’re not alone. It may bring reassurance, but comparisons aren’t always helpful. Rushing to action to relieve the pressure of the quiet discomfort of not knowing can close off possibilities and you may find yourself wondering how it is a year later you’re feeling exhausted again.

David Whyte counsels that the remedy for fatigue isn’t rest but wholeheartedness.


Here’s the truth: The most fulfilling next step won’t come from copying someone else’s. It’ll come from reconnecting with your own values, energy, and sense of purpose.

Ask yourself:

What can I, honestly, deep down, be wholehearted about?

What matters to me now?

What kind of contribution do I want to make?

What environments help me thrive?

When do I feel most alive?

Don’t start with your CV, start with your compass. The rest will follow.


What’s Out There for Me?

You might be surprised how transferable your skills are:

Leadership coaching & facilitation – You’ve led staff, supported development, held difficult conversations.

Consulting – Your knowledge of systems, leadership, and education is valuable.

Non-profits & charities – Many need strategic thinkers with a human touch.

Writing, speaking, teaching in new formats – You know how to communicate powerfully.

Project or programme management – You’ve juggled complex logistics with heart.

What matters most is not your job title — it’s how you want to feel and contribute.


You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

This is a brave and meaningful chapter. You deserve space to explore it with support, care, and clarity.

As a leadership coach, I work with ex-headteachers and senior leaders navigating what’s next. I help people:

Reconnect with what they care about
Identify what energises and fulfils them
Explore possibilities with curiosity and courage
Craft a vision for work that feels right, and real

You’ve spent years supporting others. You deserve that same support now.

If any of this resonates, you’re warmly invited to get in touch. Whether it’s coaching, a conversation, or just a quiet space to think aloud. I’d love to hear your story.

 Contact Helen Woodward to explore next steps.

#CareerChange #LeadershipTransition #ExHeadteacher #WhatNext #Coaching #EducationLeadership