The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023 was published on 15 November by Education Support. The survey, with over 3,000 participants, indicates a decline in wellbeing, particularly for senior leaders and classroom teachers.
Key findings include increased stress levels (78% overall, 89% for senior leaders, and 78% for teachers), a rise in burnout (36% for teachers), and heightened instances of insomnia (51%).
Loneliness and isolation are prevalent issues, with staff feeling twice as lonely at work compared to the national population.
Additionally, the report questions the effectiveness of OFSTED inspections, as 73% of respondents believe inspections are not 'it for purpose, 64% think they do not deliver reliable judgments, and 71% feel inspections negatively impact mental health.
The Chief Executive of Education Support emphasises the need for improvement, citing the 'unsustainable demands' of working in the sector and the resulting departure of talented educators.
The conclusions highlight a significant decline in teacher wellbeing, specific risks of suicide in certain cohorts, serious concerns about the mental health of school and college leaders, and a lack of trust in the inspection system.
Recommendations include:
- developing a coherent strategy for improving wellbeing
- prioritizing suicide prevention
- overhauling the inspection system
- investing in soft leadership skills
- matching funding to current demands
- adequately funding wider public services
- a review of training frameworks embedding mental health and wellbeing in their design
You can view the full report here: Teacher Wellbeing Index: mental health & wellbeing research (educationsupport.org.uk)
We offer a range of services to support employee health and wellbeing empowering your school to foster a supportive and nurturing culture by proactively identifying and resolving difficulties early on. Find out more here: Employee Health & Wellbeing | Strictly Education.
Our HR Resources Hub Home | Strictly Education HR Hub contains a range of open access resources to support your school on our Wellbeing at Work pages including detailed guidance and template policies.
