Finding Purpose After Burnout: Head of Programmes & Impact

"Once I'd made that decision, I just felt like a weight had been lifted."

After 13 years in primary education - taking on the roles of phase leader, assistant head, and eventually acting head - Iain hit a wall. The workload became unmanageable, and he was signed off with work-related stress before handing in his notice in May without anything else lined up. Returning to a lovely new school in September, Iain quickly realised that the education system just wasn’t for him anymore and joined the Academy Spring Track in the New Year. 

Now Head of Programmes and Impact at the Hull KR Foundation - the charity arm of a professional rugby league club - Iain is using every skill he built in education, from curriculum design to stakeholder management, in a role that genuinely excites him. The role is just as varied, but with less pressure and more flexibility,  and for the first time in years, he's not counting down the days to half term. 

In this episode, we also talk about:

• Going off sick and navigating what comes next
• Traps we fall into that convince us to stay (when it’s not right for us!)
• Finding a new role that aligns with your values
• How the CV course and interview prep booklet helped at short notice
• Overcoming interview imposter syndrome 
• Picking up new skills quickly 
• Surprising teacher transferables
• Taking ownership of a newly created role
• It’s okay not to want to be in education anymore
• Leaving well

Links & Resources:

Hull KR Foundation

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

⛺ Next Step Fest 2026 is coming! FREE online event for teachers ready to leave ~ released 23rd July. Register here now 🩷