This blog aims to provide you with a summary of the "Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders: Wave 2" report.
The research was carried out during a period of industrial action and cost-of-living challenges, and paints a detailed picture of workload, wellbeing, pay satisfaction, and future career intentions within the education sector.
We've read the report, and provided you with a key summary here:
Workload
- Leaders report working an average of 57.4 hours per week, while full-time teachers report 52.4 hours.
- 54% of teachers and leaders find their workload unacceptable, though there has been a slight improvement from 2022.
- A significant percentage of teachers (75%) and leaders (61%) spend excessive time on administrative tasks, detracting from teaching and strategic leadership.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
- 88% of teachers and leaders experience work-related stress, and 63% report negative impacts on mental health.
- The survey indicates a worsening trend in wellbeing, with 73% of respondents saying their job leaves insufficient time for personal life.
Teacher and Leader Pay
- 69% of respondents are dissatisfied with their salary, with many feeling that pay progression does not fairly reflect their growing expertise.
- Leaders are generally more satisfied with their pay compared to classroom teachers, but dissatisfaction remains across both groups.
Retention
- A concerning 36% of teachers and leaders are considering leaving the sector within the next 12 months, an increase from 25% in 2022.
- High workload, stress, and dissatisfaction with pay are the leading reasons for considering leaving.
- However, 88% of those who considered leaving in 2022 ultimately stayed, citing their enjoyment of teaching and desire for job stability.
Flexible Working
- Flexible working arrangements increased slightly to 46% in 2023, but 56% of respondents feel that flexible working is incompatible with a teaching career.
- Confidence in requesting flexible working remains low, with 64% of respondents hesitant to make such requests.
Continuing Professional Development
- Nearly all teachers and leaders (98%) participated in CPD, but 64% feel confident in progressing to the next level in their career.
- However, workload concerns remain a significant barrier to career progression.
In our view, this report reinforces what we as teachers and leaders have been saying for years: our unwavering commitment to the education sector, despite the significant challenges we all face.
We hope that this data is not only acknowledged, but also acted upon, with tangible efforts to address workload, wellbeing, and career progression.
This should be used as a foundation to drive meaningful improvements across schools, ultimately supporting those who dedicate themselves to shaping future generations.
