Teacher Wellbeing Index

Our annual Teacher Wellbeing Index provides an insight into the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff working in the UK.

Research / 2 mins read

Education Support’s ninth annual Teacher Wellbeing Index reveals a stark reality: the wellbeing of our education workforce is at crisis point. The pressures educators face are unrelenting, and the consequences should alarm anyone who cares about education.

Unwell teachers cannot deliver quality education

This year’s overall wellbeing score is the lowest since we began recording it in 2019.

76%

of all staff are stressed

36%

are at risk of probable clinical depression

77%

experience symptoms of poor mental health due to work

These figures are not just statistics, they are a warning. An unwell teaching workforce cannot deliver the best outcomes for children and young people. Quality of education is inseparable from the wellbeing of those who provide it. If we want every child to thrive, we must ensure that those who teach and support them are thriving too.

“I’ve never seen a teacher leave because of pay. They leave because of stress, because they don’t feel supported, or because the job feels too much. The government often asks why teachers are leaving. I think the better question is, why do some teachers stay?”
Sean, teacher

If we are serious about retaining talented educators, we must prioritise their wellbeing as a core part of any long-term retention strategy.

Stress and burnout are endemic

Stress remains a persistent and normalised part of working in education, particularly for senior leaders:

86%

of senior leaders report feeling stressed

81%

say they have too much to do and not enough time

49%

say their organisation’s culture negatively affects their mental health

40%

of staff say employees with mental health issues are not well supported

Culture is a critical factor

Nearly half (49%) of education staff say their organisation’s culture negatively affects their mental health. While many school and college leaders are working to improve this, efforts are often isolated and lack consistent support. To embed positive cultural practices that genuinely support staff wellbeing, leaders need reliable, ongoing professional development and resources.

Senior leaders’ poor wellbeing still puts them most at risk

School and college leaders are at the greatest risk of negative health consequences due to their work. They report the highest levels of burnout, exhaustion and acute stress.

What does this mean for education?

These are not isolated findings. They are persistent, systemic, and deeply concerning. Education Support is calling for UK Governments to publish a national teacher retention strategies grounded in workplace wellbeing. Without coherent, long-term plans to improve wellbeing and reduce attrition, we will continue to lose talented professionals at unsustainable rates.

Take action

Download the full TWIX 2025 report to explore findings, insights, and recommendations
Share the report with colleagues, leaders, and policymakers who care about the future of education
Support our work: Education Support is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff. Your donations help us continue to advocate for the wellbeing of everyone working in education. Donate now.

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