Education Support has just released the 2025 Teacher Wellbeing Index, and one statistic in particular should stop every school leader in their tracks:
51% of teachers say their school’s culture negatively affects their mental health.
As someone who has experienced harmful school cultures first-hand and now runs a business built intentionally around positive culture, I find this deeply frustrating. At TPTC, our ethos is simple: schools should be happy places for teachers.
Culture Is Built on the Small Things
Negative school cultures don’t usually come from one big issue — they’re formed from countless small moments:
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The comments that undermine
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The constant pressure
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The lack of appreciation
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The tiny “insignificant” things that build into something significant
Individually, these are hard to verbalise. But collectively, they define whether a school feels supportive or draining.
Teacher Wellbeing Is Central to Children’s Success
Children sit at the heart of education, but teachers sit at the heart of schools. You cannot expect thriving classrooms from staff who feel exhausted or undervalued.
I truly believe that teacher happiness must be a strategic priority. If we don’t protect and support teachers, pupils inevitably feel the impact.
It’s Not About Pay
The report includes a quote from a teacher named Sean that really resonates:
I’ve never known a teacher leave teaching because they didn’t get paid enough.
Teachers leave because they feel unsupported, isolated, overworked, or trapped in a negative environment. Issues with budgets, SEND provision, and workload all play a huge role—but culture is often the tipping point.
Let’s Learn From the Schools Getting It Right
The positive news? 49% of teachers do feel supported by their school. Those schools are doing something right, and we need to learn from them.
✨ If you’re one of the teachers who is in a happy school, I want to hear from you:
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What makes your school a positive place to work?
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What does leadership do that helps you stay in the profession?
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What small habits or choices make the biggest difference?
We hear endless stories about what schools are doing wrong. It’s time to highlight—and replicate—what they’re doing right.
These types of schools are exactly the ones we visit for our Staffroom Surprise initiative because these schools deserve to be celebrated for recognising and prioritising teacher wellbeing. If you want to nominate your school for a staffroom surprise visit, complete the form below! Don't forget to tell us why your school should be celebrated, use the questions above as a prompt if you wish.
