Commenting on Education Support's annual Teacher Wellbeing index, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT said:

“This report shows that there continues to be a real crisis when it comes to wellbeing of teachers and leaders. The fact that rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and acute stress remain at high levels this year for school leaders is a deep source of concern. It also serves of a stark reminder of the scale of the task the new government faces when it comes to making teaching an attractive profession once again.

“We are disappointed but not surprised to see a rise in the percentage of school staff reporting challenging interactions with some parents. Whilst the vast majority of parents are supportive of their child’s school, sadly we have heard increasing reports of school staff having to deal with unacceptable behaviour directed towards them – we are currently surveying our members to find out how pervasive and far reaching the issue.  

“We are also not surprised to see that the lack of support from wider public services is having a significant, negative impact on the morale and wellbeing of education staff and children and young people – this is precisely what our members have been telling us too. We agree that investment in those services should be a high priority for the new government.

“There is now a burning imperative to address this crisis and NAHT stand ready to work with the new government to help find the solutions so urgently required.”