Half of teachers are “drained and exhausted”, while 15% are “physically and mentally on the brink”, a TES survey revealed today.
The survey, carried out this week among teaching staff across the UK, found that just 10% were “completely fine” while only 1% said “I feel great”.
One school teacher said: “We’re in a climate where everyone is on edge and stressed out and worried the whole time. If I’m still in this job by Christmas, I’m going to be amazed. I’ve had enough.
This blog post takes a look at the latest in schools.
The situation in schools
EDBlog reported last week that 1 in 20 pupils are currently absent from school. Meanwhile, headteachers have said that schools will “grind to a halt” if testing does not improve.
Testing seems to be the main reason for the impact on teacher morale.
I’ve got staff off either because they’re poorly or self-isolating or they’ve got childcare issues, and that breaks relationship with the pupils.
The number one thing that works with my pupils is relationships and all of a sudden that English teacher or that maths teacher or that year of year is not there any more, and now they’ve got a new ace, but they haven’t got the relationship.
Sinead Mc Brearty, CEO of Education Support, said:
This has been further compounded by the stress and anxiety caused by the lack of a reliable Covid testing system. Schools are left to pick up the pieces whilst staff and students are forced to self-isolate and wait for a golden ticket to a test appointment.
Schools have not been adequately resourced to do what has been asked of them. The assumption that school staff can just continue to pick up the pieces might work in the short term, but it is hardly the ground on which to build a recovery.
If we are reckless with the health of the education workforce, we cannot expect children and young people to have the support they need to get through this difficult year.
Teachers feel drained and exhausted
The Chartered College of Teaching warned that teachers and school leaders were exhausted.
A total of 7,582 school staff, including teachers, teaching assistants and senior leaders, answered the Tes survey question, which asked: “Which of the following best describes your health and wellbeing this term?”
The survey showed:
- Nearly half of staff are “drained” and “exhausted”
- A third are “just about coping”
- 15% are “physically and mentally on the brink”
Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching said:
There is growing concern regarding the lack of available testing and the resulting staff and pupil absence.
Exhausted school leaders are worried, in particular, about having to constantly field concerns from parents, the impact on their budgets related to the costs of cleaning and how to cope with staff absence.
Exhaustion rates at this stage of the term are also a worrying indicator of underlying stress across the whole profession.
Her letter also shows “significant worries” about the role of Ofsted visits.
It’s very early in the term for us to be hearing these levels of concerns from colleagues.
EDClass can help reduce teacher stresses
EDClass can help to reduce teacher stress.
EDClass can deliver virtual learning, live or recorded sessions to a range of students – to ease the burden on teachers.
At EDClass we control the teaching, learning and virtual classroom. Using EDVirtual from EDClass means you can set log-ins for your teachers and support staff to deliver learning sessions, timetabled sessions and recorded presentations that are safe and secure. This means cohorts self-isolating have access to education.
Our teaching staff and your staff can use the virtual classroom to answer questions that are subject specific.
You can view students on screen using the webcam application – which is locked down for safeguarding. Our safeguarding and wellbeing officers are available at the press of a button.
A sophisticated tracking system can monitor targets, and a tailored learning pathway can be set which is specific to students’ needs.
Book a demonstration here.
Call 01909 568338 or contact us here for more information.
