Commenting on Education Support’s latest Teacher Wellbeing Index, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“We should not ignore the stress levels reported by teachers and middle leaders. This report reminds us that a lack of funding for SEND and mental health specialists both in and out of schools and colleges has real consequences. Education staff care deeply and when they can’t provide what students need, this is a factor in declining mental health of leaders, teachers and support staff.
“In order to support good pupil outcomes, both staff and students need to feel motivated and positive. With increasing patterns of disruptive behaviour, it is essential that support is in place to deal with such issues. However, the reasons for the increased poor or violent disruption are complex and can relate to unmet learning or emotional needs, or the effects of trauma or poverty.
“Addressing these underlying challenges is of vital importance. Schools need quicker access to specialist SEND and mental health support services, with a curriculum that engages all students. This needs to be done alongside serious intervention to address child poverty such as ending the two-child benefit cap and the introduction of free school meals.”