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The State of Teacher Wellbeing in 2025

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  • Workload remains the top concern. According to Prospects, workload pressures are still the leading factor driving teachers to leave the profession, with long hours and administrative tasks reducing time for teaching and planning.

  • Retention challenges persist. Government figures show that around 1 in 3 teachers leave the classroom within the first five years of qualifying, with secondary schools particularly affected.

  • Mental health at risk. The 2024 Teacher Wellbeing Index by Education Support reported that 78% of teachers experienced stress in the past year, and over half reported symptoms of poor mental health.

Why Wellbeing Matters


When teachers are well, students thrive. Teacher wellbeing affects:

  • Retention: Schools struggling with staff turnover face recruitment costs and disruption for pupils.

  • Classroom culture: A stressed workforce can impact behaviour management and relationships with students.

  • Pupil outcomes: Research consistently links teacher wellbeing with student progress and engagement.

Coping with Change, Workload & Burnout

1. Addressing Workload

  • Streamline marking policies (DfE guidance encourages more efficient feedback methods such as whole-class feedback).

  • Use technology wisely to automate admin tasks.

  • Review meeting schedules and reduce non-essential paperwork.

2. Fostering a Culture of Support

  • Schools adopting open-door wellbeing policies are seeing improvements in morale.

  • Peer mentoring and coaching for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) can prevent burnout at the vulnerable early stage.

  • Leadership modelling work-life balance (e.g. respecting email curfews) sets a powerful precedent.

3. Prioritising Mental Health

  • Access to professional support services such as Education Support’s helpline.

  • Promoting staff wellbeing champions or committees in schools.

  • Encouraging staff to use mental health days and flexible working where possible.

4. Building Resilience Through Professional Development

  • CPD that focuses not only on pedagogy but also on resilience, time management and wellbeing strategies.

  • Encouraging reflective practice and celebrating small wins in the classroom.

Looking Ahead

The conversation around teacher wellbeing has shifted in recent years: it’s no longer considered an “extra”, but a core component of effective school leadership. Schools that prioritise wellbeing are not only more likely to retain staff but also to create vibrant, supportive learning communities.

As Prospects notes, “wellbeing, workload and mental health are central to the future of teaching in the UK.” If schools and policymakers can translate this awareness into meaningful, system-wide action, teacher retention and satisfaction can begin to improve.

📌 Key Sources

If your school is looking to strengthen staff wellbeing and retention strategies, get in touch with Aston Education today. We can connect you with committed professionals and support you in building a sustainable workforce.

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