This year’s Teacher Wellbeing Index highlights both encouraging shifts and persistent challenges for the teaching workforce. Alongside familiar data on staff wellbeing, we see new insights emerging on the impact of pupil and parent behaviour on teacher morale. The good news is schools are making progress in improving workplace culture. However, the overall picture still calls for urgent attention to teacher wellbeing.

Challenging behaviour impacts teacher morale 

Teachers continue to face rising challenges in the classroom, with 82% reporting that student behaviour negatively affects their mental health. Similarly, 70% of staff say that interactions with parents are taking a toll on their wellbeing. The mental health strain is also felt by 69% of staff, who cite insufficient support from public services as a barrier to being effective in their role and staying mentally healthy.

The Government must take note of these findings in its approach to tackling staff retention. While we don’t claim a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it’s clear that perceptions of support from services like CAMHS and children’s services correlate with job satisfaction and overall wellbeing.

Lack of support from public services

For teachers, we know the frustration of not being able to provide the support children need, due to gaps in the public service system, is demoralising. Many of you are driven by a strong sense of purpose and want to see the impact of your work. When you can’t meet that need, it understandably impacts morale.

Of those who report public bodies offer no support to their pupils and students we found that:

• 66% feel this negatively affects their mental health and wellbeing
• 71% feel this negatively affects their job satisfaction
• 66% feel this negatively affects their ability to switch off from work

Positive data on workplace culture

The best news in the report this year is the data around workplace culture. 27% of staff now feel that their workplace culture positively impacts their wellbeing, marking a 5% increase. Additionally, 7% more staff report that their organisation effectively supports those struggling with mental health issues. While the changes are small, they indicate meaningful progress and demonstrate the importance of supportive environments and fostering staff relationships.

Cautious but optimistic 

While we should celebrate these improvements, we must be cautious. We need more data to determine whether this marks the start of a lasting trend on improving school cultures. 

And, concerning data remains:

• 79% of school teachers report psychological symptoms due to work (depression, anxiety, panic attacks)
• 35% of school teachers with symptoms felt (or it was suggested to them by others) that the symptoms they experienced were signs of burnout
• Over a third of teachers and education staff score below 40 on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, suggesting serious concerns for their mental health.

Although there are signs of improvement, these persistently high figures highlight the need for continued and sustained action at all levels.

Action at all levels 

We are calling for actions at all levels to resolve the wellbeing and retention crisis of teaching staff – no one can solve it alone. It must be a joint effort:

• School leaders and managers: keep up the great work on improving workplace culture. The positive effects are clear, and your efforts are making a difference. Let’s continue this momentum to build a positive trend in the 2025 Teacher Wellbeing Index.
• Government: prioritise retention with a dedicated strategy that includes a retention target alongside recruitment goals. Effective support for leaders is essential as is ensuring consistent, high-quality services for SEND, children’s mental health and social services.
• Sector-wide support: continued focus on building supportive cultures and improving mental health provisions will be critical.

Get Support

If you or a colleague are experiencing any of the challenges described in this blog, please reach out for support. The Education Support helpline is available 24/7, offering confidential emotional support from a qualified counsellor: 08000 562 561.

Teachers, leaders and education staff in Wales can sign up now for funded wellbeing masterclasses, workshops, professional supervision and a wellbeing advisory service, at no cost to them.