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
Our seventh annual survey of over 3,004 education staff shows that wellbeing in the sector is poor and continues to decline. Senior leaders remain at particular risk and there has also been a significant decline in the overall wellbeing of classroom teachers.
Key findings include:
78%
of all education staff are stressed (3% increase on 2022)
89%
of all senior leaders (rising to 95% among headteachers) and 78% of school teachers reported feeling stressed
78%
of school teachers are stressed (6% increase on 2022 and the highest of all job roles))
36%
of school teachers reported experiencing burn-out (9% increase on 2022)
51%
of staff experience insomnia or difficulty sleeping (6% increase on 2022)
The report also shows that significant feelings of loneliness and isolation are experienced by staff in the sector, with teachers and education staff feeling twice as lonely at work compared to the national population for England.
This year we asked about educators’ experience of inspections. Staff tell us that they have little trust in the inspection system, raising questions about the effectiveness of inspections, the impact on school leader and staff wellbeing and implications for learner outcomes.
73%
of staff thought inspections were not fit for purpose
64%
of staff consider inspections do not deliver reliable judgements
71%
of staff thought inspections negatively impact their mental health and wellbeing
Sinéad Mc Brearty, Chief Executive of Education Support commented:
“These are not findings that anyone wants to see. Our education workforce is stressed and unhappy at work. Such high levels of burnout, overwork and loneliness will not lead to a world class education system.
Working in schools and colleges is unsustainably demanding and not improved by the level of mistrust the profession has in the inspection process.
Children and young people need to be surrounded by energised and committed teachers to give them the best chances in life. Instead, the reality of working life in education is causing talented educators to leave the profession in their droves. We can and must do better.”
Our conclusions:
- Teacher wellbeing has declined significantly over the past year
- Specific cohorts are at risk of suicide
- School and college leader wellbeing and mental health is a serious concern
- School and college staff have little trust in the inspection system, particularly in England
- Organisational culture is a big problem for more than half the workforce
- Almost a fifth of education staff feel isolated at work, especially educators from a global majority background
We make the following recommendations to UK education departments:
- All education departments must develop a coherent strategy to improve the wellbeing of the education workforce
- Suicide prevention must be prioritised
- It’s time to overhaul the inspection system
- We must invest in soft leadership skills
- We need a funding settlement that matches current levels of demand on schools and colleges
- The wider ecosystem of public services must also be properly funded
- A review of training frameworks to reflect the current reality of educators’ lives and embed mental health and wellbeing
Download the report below.
Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023
Our service provides emotional and practical support that helps you and your colleagues thrive at work.
Are you a headteacher, deputy or assistant headteacher? Would you like to access services focussed on improving your mental health and wellbeing?
Please share:
