The Educator Magazine U.K. Sept-Dec 2024 issue - Magazine - Page 51
The first step is to create a stigma-free
environment, where teachers feel
comfortable enough to seek support
and are encouraged to do so. Schools
can do this by offering access to
confidential mental health support
services, including counselling,
helplines or partnerships with
mental health professionals, for
example. Schools should also discuss
and share healthy coping mechanisms
for all staff, such as mindfulness
workshops or yoga sessions.
Another key issue that needs to be
addressed, however, is flexible
working, a benefit that many think is
incompatible with teaching.
Our report found that almost two-fifths
(39%) of those in teaching and
education would like flexi-time as
a workplace benefit, and evidence
shows that flexible arrangements,
such as job sharing and planning,
preparation and assessment conducted
offsite, improve productivity and job
satisfaction.
We’ve already seen positive change
across the sector, with flexible working
now established as a core pillar of the
Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, but
the Department of Education needs to
find ways to implement stronger
flexibility, as it will play a key role in
improving retention.
The new government is not wasting
any time, with the Education Secretary
pushing to recruit 6,500 new teachers
to help solve the UK’s teaching crisis.
But we cannot excuse that one-fifth
of teachers who undertake the early
career framework leave after two years.
As such, there needs to be more focus
on long-term solutions to attract and
retain teachers, and an entire overhaul
of the perception of teachers is needed.
They are a vital part of societal
development and shaping the next
generation, and so we must make
changes to retain them.
