UK Education staff wellbeing drops to lowest level since 2019 – NEU

20th November 2025Leave a Commenton Education staff wellbeing drops to lowest level since 2019 – NEU

“This is a system in crisis. Seventy-eight per cent of education staff are stressed, and more than one in three have experienced a mental health issue in the past academic year.

Daniel Kebede, National Education Union

By the National Education Union (NEU)

The teacher wellbeing index 2025 shows that education staff wellbeing has dropped to its lowest level since 2019

Commenting on the annual report, which shows that staff wellbeing across the education sector has dropped to its lowest since 2019, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 

“Teachers and school leaders are overworked, under-supported, and increasingly exposed to stress, anxiety, and burnout. No wonder there is a significant retention issue in the education workforce. 

“This is a system in crisis. Seventy-eight per cent of education staff are stressed, and more than one in three have experienced a mental health issue in the past academic year. Eighty-four per cent of senior leaders reported high stress, and 77 per cent of staff experienced symptoms of poor mental health caused by their work.  

“Teacher wellbeing must be a workforce priority. Union representatives should be involved in monitoring workload and wellbeing, and schools need adequate funding and staffing. It’s time to redefine teacher support, ensure proper funding, and protect teachers from stress and burnout.”

---

• You can follow Daniel Kebede on Facebook and Twitter/X; and the National Education Union on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
• This article was originally published as a press release on the NEU’s website on 18 November 2025.
• If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.