Education under pressure: what the 2024 teacher wellbeing index tells us - 22nd Nov 2024
New research from Education Support's Teacher Wellbeing Index reveals pressing challenges facing education professionals, with particular impact on those supporting students with additional needs. Here's what the latest data tells us about the current state of staff wellbeing in schools.
Rising Behavioural Challenges
The survey highlights a significant increase in challenging behaviour, with 63% of staff reporting more incidents in 2024 than ever before. Teaching assistants, who often work closely with vulnerable students, face particular pressures - with previous research showing 53% having experienced physical assault in the classroom, compared to just 6% of teachers.
Resource and Capacity Constraints
Schools are struggling with increased class sizes and reduced resources, creating a challenging environment for effective support delivery. The Department for Education acknowledges an elevated demand for teaching assistants, yet schools face significant recruitment and retention challenges. School leaders consistently report that TA compensation fails to reflect their expanding responsibilities and expertise - particularly concerning for those supporting students with additional needs.
Technology's Impact on Student Development
Education professionals report growing concerns about technology's impact on student development, particularly regarding speech, language, and attention skills. Research indicates that parental "phubbing" (phone snubbing) may be affecting:
- Parent-child interactions
- Students' psychological needs
- Self-esteem development
- Communication skills
Post-COVID Educational Recovery
The ongoing impact of the pandemic continues to affect student development, particularly in:
- Social skills
- Emotional regulation
- Peer relationships
- Learning readiness
Staff report particular concerns about balancing academic recovery with essential social-emotional development, especially for students requiring additional support.
Supporting Your Team's Wellbeing to Better Support SEND Students
As these challenges evolve, investing in staff training and development becomes crucial - particularly for those working with SEND students. The Wellbeing Index reveals that 69% of staff feel they receive little or no support from public bodies for their pupils, highlighting the critical need for additional expertise and resources in SEND support.
Effective SEND provision requires educators who feel confident, supported, and equipped with the right tools. Research shows that improved staff wellbeing directly correlates with better outcomes for students with additional needs. When staff feel supported and trained, they're better able to:
- Implement specialised interventions effectively
- Maintain consistent behaviour management strategies
- Build stronger relationships with SEND students
- Collaborate effectively with families and support services
How OLT Can Help
OLT's specialised online training courses are designed to bridge this critical gap, offering:
- Evidence-based SEND support strategies
- Practical behaviour management techniques
- Tools for supporting students' emotional regulation
- Resources for effective parent collaboration
By investing in staff development through OLT's training, schools can both enhance their SEND provision and support staff wellbeing - creating a positive cycle that benefits both educators and students.
For guidance on supporting your staff and students with these challenges, explore OLT's specialised online training courses, designed to enhance SEND support capabilities in your school
Read the full Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024