Heavy workloads and government scrutiny driving teachers to consider career changes

A new survey from the National Education Union (NEU) has revealed that nearly half of all teachers in England intend to leave their roles within the next five years. Of the 1,788 teachers surveyed, 20% indicated they plan to quit within the next two years alone.

The NEU attributes this trend to “heavy workloads” as a major factor, combined with concerns over public and governmental trust, pay levels, and increased accountability pressures. Furthermore, the union has called for the replacement of Ofsted, arguing that the inspection body has become an “unfair and unreliable” source of stress, contributing to unnecessary workload for educators.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education responded to the findings by insisting that teaching continues to be “an attractive and fulfilling profession.” They also highlighted that the number of teachers in schools remains stable and that the government is actively addressing concerns related to workload and teacher wellbeing.

In light of the poll, London-based teacher Kiri Tunks shared her perspective, discussing the realities of daily life in the classroom and the changes she believes are essential for the education system’s improvement.

You can listen to the full discussion on the Leader podcast, available on Spotify Daily Drive or other podcast streaming platforms.