Your support makes all the difference

The government often asks why teachers are leaving. I think the better question is: why do some teachers stay despite the challenges?

For Sean, a Head of Faculty, the answer is simple: he still knows he can make a difference. This Christmas, help give dedicated teachers the space and support they need to continue making that difference, ensuring their passion doesn't lead to burnout.

 

Sean’s story

Sean, a Head of Faculty with fifteen years of experience, shares a powerful story about his journey in education. He admits that he did not enjoy school very much, but during university he discovered how transformative learning could be when teaching was approached differently.

This realisation inspired him to pursue a career in education with the goal of making things better for young people and providing them with the opportunities and experiences he felt he had missed.

Sean still loves his job, values the sense of learning every day, and appreciates the “wonderfully honest” feedback from his students.
However, despite his passion, he eventually burnt out and was signed off for stress after carrying too much for too long.

Working with Education Support marked a turning point. It was the first time in his 15-year career that someone had asked him directly about his wellbeing. For Sean, it feels like a lifeline to be asked how he feels about the job, rather than what more he can do.

The crisis in education

The sad truth is that working in education is challenging, and Sean's experience echoes what teachers have been saying for years.

• Education Support’s latest Teacher Wellbeing Index reveals the lowest staff wellbeing scores since 2019
• Over a third of education staff are at risk of probable clinical depression
• Nearly half say their school culture negatively affects their mental health

These figures should alarm anyone who cares about education.

How your support makes a difference

Education Support is a lifeline for a teacher reaching breaking point.

 

 

Thanks to your support, every call to Education Support’s free 24/7 helpline is answered by a trained counsellor who understands the unique pressures of school life, someone who listens without judgement and helps teachers find their way forward.

Every donation ensures educators have someone to turn to, whether through the helpline, providing schools with resources to foster a better workplace culture, or through ongoing work to change policy for good.

Education Support can be a lifeline for a teacher reaching breaking point. But they can only keep helping with your support.

Please, if you can, donate today and help make sure every teacher who’s struggling has the support they need this Christmas.