Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions—but it’s also one of the most demanding. Between lesson planning, pastoral care, safeguarding, assessments, admin, and parent communication, teachers wear many hats—often all at once. It’s no surprise, then, that teacher burnout is on the rise.
In 2025, schools across the UK are seeing increased staff absences, high turnover, and growing concerns about the emotional toll of the job. Burnout doesn’t just affect individuals—it impacts pupils, teams, and whole-school culture.
Understanding the causes, recognising the signs, and knowing how schools can offer meaningful support is key to building a resilient and sustainable teaching workforce.
What Is Teacher Burnout?
Burnout is more than just feeling tired at the end of the week. It’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion, often caused by prolonged stress and overwork. For teachers, burnout can lead to a decline in performance, loss of motivation, and feelings of frustration or detachment from the role they once loved.
According to Education Support’s Teacher Wellbeing Index, more than half of teachers have considered leaving the profession due to stress. That statistic alone should be a wake-up call.
Common Causes of Teacher Burnout
1. Excessive Workload
Marking, planning, data entry, and paperwork often spill into evenings and weekends. The constant pressure to “stay on top” of everything can leave teachers feeling like there’s no off switch.
2. High Emotional Load
Teachers aren’t just delivering lessons—they’re supporting students through emotional and behavioural challenges, often with limited resources and training.
3. Lack of Autonomy
Inflexible policies, top-down decisions, and a lack of professional trust can leave teachers feeling powerless or undervalued.
4. Insufficient Support
When staff don’t feel supported by leadership or their wellbeing needs are ignored, it contributes to feelings of isolation and stress.
5. Ofsted and Performance Pressure
Accountability is important—but when it becomes punitive, it can erode morale and stifle creativity.
It’s the combination of pressure without support that makes burnout so dangerous.
Recognising the Signs of Burnout
Burnout often builds slowly, and many teachers soldier on until they hit a wall. Spotting the signs early can help prevent more serious mental health concerns.
Emotional Signs:
- Feeling detached or “numb” about work
- Increased irritability or mood swings
- A sense of dread on Sunday evenings
Physical Symptoms:
- Persistent tiredness despite rest
- Headaches or muscle tension
- Trouble sleeping or disrupted patterns
Behavioural Indicators:
- Reduced enthusiasm or engagement in lessons
- Avoiding staff interactions or meetings
- Higher levels of sickness absence
Heads of department and SLT should be trained to recognise these signs and know how to respond compassionately.
What Can Schools Do to Prevent and Address Burnout?
Burnout isn’t just an individual problem—it’s a systemic issue that schools must address from the top down. Here’s how:
1. Review and Reduce Workload
Conduct regular audits to understand what’s taking up staff time unnecessarily. Streamline marking policies, cut down on data duplication, and remove admin tasks that don’t have a direct impact on learning.
Ask teachers: “What’s taking up your time that could be simplified or removed?”
2. Prioritise Mental Health and Wellbeing
Wellbeing should be embedded into the school’s culture—not a one-off initiative.
Practical ideas:
- Designate a senior leader responsible for staff wellbeing
- Offer access to mental health support or counselling
- Introduce wellbeing check-ins during INSET days
- Celebrate small wins and recognise effort, not just outcomes
Wellbeing isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for retention and morale.
3. Promote Work-Life Balance
Respect teachers’ personal time. Discourage a culture of after-hours emails, and model healthy boundaries from the top.
Consider:
- “No emails after 6pm” policy
- Protected PPA time that’s genuinely uninterrupted
- Flexibility for appointments or family needs where possible
Teachers who feel trusted to manage their time will often do so more effectively.
4. Create a Safe Space for Feedback
Teachers need to feel heard. Establish open, judgement-free channels where staff can share concerns, suggest changes, and feel part of decision-making.
Regular anonymous surveys or wellbeing forums can help SLT pick up on issues before they escalate.
5. Offer Professional Development That Empowers
CPD should inspire—not overwhelm. Avoid overloading teachers with constant new initiatives, and instead focus on high-quality development that supports classroom practice and builds confidence.
When teachers feel competent and supported, their stress levels drop—and job satisfaction rises.
6. Foster a Culture of Compassion
A kind word, a cup of tea in the staffroom, or a thank-you note from SLT can go a long way. When teachers feel genuinely valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged and positive.
Leadership sets the tone. Schools that lead with empathy create safer, healthier working environments.
Why Teacher Wellbeing is a Whole-School Priority
When teachers are burnt out, students notice. Energy levels drop. Relationships suffer. Learning is disrupted.
But when teachers feel supported and balanced, the effects ripple outward:
- Classrooms are calmer and more engaging
- Behaviour improves
- Students feel more secure
- Whole-school morale lifts
And from a strategic standpoint, it makes sense too. Retaining experienced teachers, reducing sick leave, and boosting performance all start with prioritising staff wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
Teacher burnout is not a sign of weakness—it’s a signal that the system needs to change.
If we want our schools to be places of growth, connection, and excellence, we need to make space for the people who make it all possible: our teachers.
By listening, adjusting expectations, and leading with compassion, schools can not only prevent burnout—they can create a culture where staff feel energised, respected, and proud of the work they do.
Looking to support teacher wellbeing across your school?
Team Satchel provides tools that simplify classroom management, reduce admin workload, and support both teacher and student wellbeing.
Get in touch to see how we can help your school thrive—together.
