Insights from the Education Support’s eighth Teacher Wellbeing Index

Education Support’s eighth annual report, based on insights from over 3,000 school leaders and staff, highlights the impact of student and parent behaviour on staff morale and well-being. It also emphasises the importance of understanding workplace culture in light of the current retention crisis to support a healthy workforce.

While the report shows slight improvements in staff well-being and workplace culture, it also reveals persistently high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout among leaders:

• 88% of senior leaders working in secondary schools are very or somewhat stressed
• 92% of senior leaders working in primary schools are very or somewhat stressed
• 37% of senior leaders working in secondary schools have experienced mental health issues during the past academic year.
• 32% of senior leaders working in primary schools have experienced mental health issues during the past academic year.

 

Workplace culture

There has been a 5% positive swing in responses about the effect of workplace culture on personal well-being. The report shows a 7% increase (to 27%) in the proportion of staff who think their organisation supports well those employees who experience problems with mental health and well-being.

This year’s data makes clear that appreciative, supportive cultures and good staff relationships really matter to teaching and support staff. School leaders can take a look at our guide produced in conjunction with Education Support How to maintain a healthy mind and culture during periods of challenge for practical tips and support.

 

Challenging behaviour and the role of public services

The report found 82% of the education workforce who said that challenging behaviour by students had increased, said this negatively affected their mental health. While 70% who reported a similar increase in challenging interactions with parents said it had the same effect on their mental health.

The report also found that:

• 73% of senior leaders working in secondary schools have said that they have experienced more incidents of challenging pupil behaviour when compared to last year.
• 65% of senior leaders working in primary schools have said that they have experienced more incidents of challenging pupil behaviour when compared to last year.

These challenges are further exacerbated by a perceived lack of support for students’ physical, emotional, and mental health needs, with 84% of staff believing this contributes to increased incidents of challenging behaviour.

The report found 69% of staff reported that insufficient support from wider public services is negatively impacting their job performance, ability to unwind after work, and overall job satisfaction.

 

Call for change

Education Support suggests that the task ahead for the education sector is to build on these small successes and establish a new standard for staff well-being. However, school leaders cannot undertake this mission alone as the findings of this report and the recommendations below demonstrate.

 

Recommendations

To explore Education Support full recommendations please download the report here.

1. Staff retention must be prioritised: Dedicated retention strategies – updated to account for the widening responsibilities that now come with a career in education following the Covid-19 pandemic – must be
2. Provision for SEND (including additional or learning support needs), children’s mental health and social services, and poverty reduction programmes urgently require proper funding. Without this, it will be incredibly hard to support young people and improve staff retention.
3. Government must prioritise the provision of targeted, high quality support to leaders if we are to retain talent at all levels across the sector. Reflective practice such as professional supervision has an emerging evidence base of impact for leaders.
4. The social contract between families, schools and colleges needs to be renewed. Communities, parents, educators and children must align around agreed aspirations for young lives and learning.

 

If you are struggling

NAHT members who are feeling emotionally distressed can call the Education Support helpline: 08000 562 561. The number is free, open 24/7 and offers immediate support. You do not have to be in crisis to speak to a qualified councillor.

Leaders in Wales can sign up to funded wellbeing masterclasses, professional supervision and a wellbeing advisory service to help support themselves and their teams.