Our Research 84%
of all education professionals described themselves as stressed (89% of senior leaders)
31%
of all education professionals have experienced a mental health issue in the past academic year.
38% of
all education professionals considered their organisational culture had a negative effect on their mental health and wellbeing. 8
We have all felt the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic, both in our personal and professional lives, but the impact on our teachers and education staff has been particularly acute. There has been a lack of clear guidance from Government; schools and colleges closed during lockdowns; and a rapid adjustment to online teaching was needed. This all took place against a backdrop of stressed students, colleagues and parents. On top of this were very real concerns about personal safety, trauma and bereavement. Our latest Teacher Wellbeing Index provides an important view of how our teachers have coped in a year defined by crisis. It shows a worrying trend of increased symptoms of poor mental health, such as mood swings, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and tearfulness. It also highlights the sustained pressure on senior leaders as they again report the highest levels of stress among all teachers and education staff. Workload continues to be a problem that can lead to talented people leaving the
education profession: 63% of teachers and education staff have considered leaving the sector due to workload, whilst 53% reported personal mental health and wellbeing as a factor.
Stress at an all-time high Our survey was carried out in June and July 2020, while most classrooms were closed to all but vulnerable children and those of key workers. Conscious of the uniqueness of this situation, we carried out an additional short survey in October 2020
