The 2025 Teacher Wellbeing Index, published by Education Support, paints a concerning picture of the state of mental health and wellbeing across the education workforce in the UK. Now in its eighth year, the report is based on survey responses from more than 3,000 education professionals across all sectors and roles.
The data reveals that, although there are small signs of improvement in organisational culture, the majority of staff are still struggling with stress, burnout and mental health challenges directly linked to their work in schools, colleges and other educational settings.
Key Findings from the 2025 Report
- 77% of all staff reported experiencing symptoms of poor mental health due to work, consistent with previous years.
- 46% of staff said they experienced insomnia or disturbed sleep linked to their job.
- 50% of all education professionals felt that the culture of their organisation had a negative impact on their mental wellbeing — though this is a slight improvement from 2024 (56%).
- 82% of respondents who said pupil behaviour had become more challenging also reported that it negatively affected their wellbeing.
- 70% of those who cited increased challenges with parents said these interactions were affecting their mental health.
- 84% of staff who experienced verbal or physical abuse from pupils believed it was caused by a lack of provision for pupils’ emotional, physical or mental health needs.
This year’s report highlights the continuing demands placed on teachers and education staff, particularly around managing pupil behaviour and parental expectations, with many professionals citing rising pressures and reduced external support.
Mental Health in the Education Sector: A Persistent Challenge
The education workforce continues to report significantly higher levels of stress and burnout compared to the general working population. Chronic workload pressures, accountability demands and under-resourced support services remain key contributors.
Sleep disturbance, cited by nearly half of all respondents, is particularly troubling, as it is closely linked with reduced performance, higher anxiety and poor emotional regulation. For many staff, recovery from the school day simply isn’t happening.
In addition, while overall perceptions of workplace culture have improved slightly, the fact that half of education professionals still feel their organisation’s culture negatively affects their mental health signals that deeper, systemic issues persist.
Pupil Behaviour and Lack of Support: A Growing Burden
One of the most significant insights in the 2025 report is the connection between increasingly challenging pupil behaviour and staff mental health. A large proportion of staff attribute this to unmet pupil needs, particularly mental health and emotional support, suggesting a crisis that extends beyond the classroom.
Similarly, the data suggests that parental interactions are also a rising source of stress. The digital age has led to increased access to staff, which can blur boundaries and intensify demands.
Recommendations from Education Support
The report outlines several urgent actions for leaders, policy-makers and sector stakeholders, including:
- Embedding whole-organisation wellbeing strategies that are not tokenistic but actively improve culture and reduce harm.
- Providing structured support for school and college leaders, who consistently report higher stress and burnout.
- Addressing behaviour support and SEND provision, to relieve pressure on front-line staff.
- Improving systems for managing parent–staff communication and safeguarding staff from abuse.
- Investing in training and development around mental health awareness, self-care, and trauma-informed practice.
A Call for Cultural and Structural Change
Education Support is clear: teachers and school staff need more than short-term fixes. Systemic change is required — from funding and staffing, to leadership training, professional development, and the embedding of wellbeing within organisational values and decision-making.
The Index also reinforces the idea that staff wellbeing is not a “nice to have”; it is essential for retention, performance, student outcomes and the long-term health of the education system.
As the education sector continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19, increased pupil need, and funding constraints, staff wellbeing must remain at the forefront of both national policy and local practice.
You can download and read the full Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025 on Education Support’s website.
If you work in education and are affected by the issues discussed, Education Support offers free and confidential support to all staff, including a 24/7 helpline on 08000 562 561.