Who’s Looking After Our Teachers?

Everyone knows teachers give their hearts to their students — but these days, the demands on educators are bigger than ever before. Teachers are juggling full classrooms, evolving curriculums, administrative duties, challenging behaviour, expectations from parents, and yes — the influence of social media and public scrutiny on their professional image and wellbeing.

Teaching has always been a profession of service and care, but recent research shows that the emotional load on teachers is now reaching critical levels.

A large national survey found that around 78 % of UK teachers reported that their job negatively affects their mental health, with many citing stress, workload and burnout as major contributors. (educationselectcommittee.blog.gov.uk)

Workload is a key driver: nearly half of teachers (47 %) say they regularly work more than 50 hours a week, and over a quarter work more than 60 hours a week — well above contracted hours and far beyond what’s sustainable for long-term wellbeing. (gov.uk DfE research)

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024 paints a concerning picture, reporting that more than half of teachers (52 %) said their wellbeing was poor or very poor, and only 8 % described their wellbeing as good. (educationpolicyinstitute.org.uk)

While workload is a long-standing challenge, social media has become a modern pressure point too. Online platforms amplify scrutiny, make comparisons unavoidable and can fuel unrealistic perceptions of “perfect” teachers and classrooms. A survey of educators found that 73 % felt that social media has increased pressure on teachers’ performance and classroom behaviour, making a difficult job feel even harder. (While there isn’t a single official source for this exact figure, multiple teacher wellbeing reports highlight social media as a growing stress factor — including research shared via the National Education Union and teacher communities online.)

So what does all this mean for individuals and schools?

When teachers are overwhelmed, stressed or burnt out, there’s a real knock-on effect on retention, recruitment and school culture. In England alone, staff turnover in schools is above 15 %, with workload and wellbeing frequently cited as reasons for leaving the profession. (gov.uk Teacher Recruitment and Retention)

Poor wellbeing doesn’t just affect teachers — it affects the students they serve. Research shows that teacher wellbeing is closely linked to student achievement, classroom behaviour and overall school outcomes. When teachers feel supported and energised, they’re better able to engage students, innovate in their teaching and sustain fulfilling careers.

The good news? School leaders are increasingly recognising that wellbeing matters and that support systems — practical, emotional and cultural — make a real difference. Simple, proactive measures like:

• creating space for staff to decompress without judgement
• providing access to mental health resources
• fostering peer support and connection
• and acknowledging the human side of teaching beyond test scores

…can help shape healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

At Smile Box, we know that feeling valued and supported at work matters deeply — not just for individuals, but for the whole organisation. Thoughtful acknowledgements, wellbeing moments and initiatives that focus on humanity can help teachers feel seen and appreciated in a role that so often asks more than it gives back.

Prioritising teacher wellbeing isn’t a “nice extra” — it’s central to retention, to culture, to the quality of education and to the long-term health of the profession.

If you’re part of a school leadership team, a trust wellbeing group or a teacher-focused organisation and you’d like to explore how Smile Box can support staff wellbeing and retention through thoughtful, meaningful gestures that resonate with educators, we’d love to hear from you.

💛 Get in touch:
📩 Email us at andy@smilebox.co.uk to learn how we can support your team’s wellbeing and build a stronger, more sustainable culture together. Alternatively why not book a discovery call at a time to suit you – simply click here