The Harsh Reality

Let’s start with the numbers. They tell a story, but only part of it.

• 40% of teachers leave the profession within five years.

• The average teacher in the UK works over 60 hours a week — most of it admin.

• Classes are growing, support is shrinking, and mental health referrals among students are rising.

But numbers alone don’t capture the human side. That’s why today, we’re listening to voices from the classroom.

Voices from the Classroom

I spoke to a few teachers about their daily experiences, and here’s what they had to say:

"I love teaching, but I spend more time filling in spreadsheets than planning lessons."

"By the time I get home, I’m exhausted. And yet, tomorrow I have 32 students waiting for me. They deserve my full attention, but there’s only so much of me."

"I stay late marking, replying to emails, prepping lessons. I wonder if my effort even matters anymore."

These voices aren’t unique -- they echo in schools across the country. Behind every policy, target, and statistic, there’s a human story: tired, committed, but stretched to breaking point.

Why Teachers Leave

So why are teachers leaving? It’s not the love of students — that’s what keeps many in the classroom. It’s the pressure, isolation, and lack of support:

• Overwhelming workload and endless targets.

• Pressure to “perform” under inspections and league tables.

• Limited time for planning, collaboration, or professional growth.

• Insufficient mental health and wellbeing support.

When the passion that brought teachers into the profession collides with unsustainable expectations, burnout becomes inevitable.

The Human Toll

Let’s be honest. Teaching is emotionally intense.

Imagine this: a teacher who stays after school to comfort a child struggling at home, then goes back to mark papers, plan lessons, and attend meetings. The stress compounds. And even though students’ success is the goal, teachers often feel invisible.

And that invisibility? It erodes motivation. It erodes wellbeing. And it drives people out of a profession they once loved.

What Can Change

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Transformation is possible, and it starts with listening to teachers’ voices and restructuring the system around human needs.

Here’s where we can start:

Reduce unnecessary workload — cut down admin, streamline processes.
Prioritize teacher wellbeing — mental health support isn’t optional.
Provide meaningful professional development — growth over compliance.
Foster collaboration and mentorship — teachers should feel supported, not isolated.

When systems work with teachers, not against them, everyone benefits — students, staff, and communities.

Reflection

So here’s my reflection for today: teaching isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. And like any calling, it deserves respect, care, and investment.

If we want teachers to stay, to thrive, and to inspire the next generation, we need to listen, act, and design schools where they feel seen, supported, and valued.

Because behind every policy, target, and curriculum change, there’s a teacher — human, resilient, and full of potential.