More than half of teachers have seriously considered leaving the profession in the last year, a survey suggests.
Job satisfaction is falling as workloads increase, according to the poll of 800 teachers by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers. The findings are part of the Big Question survey, which records views on the impact of government policy on education.
They have beenpublished as NASUWT hosts its annual conference in Edinburgh this week.
The survey finds that 51% of teachers have thought about leaving the profession in the past 12 months, up 9% on the previous year’s survey, while three-fifths considered leaving their current job (61%), up 10%.
It also found that three-quarters of teachers (73%) have experienced more workplace stress in the last year. Curriculum and qualification changes are the main causes of excessive workload, say 59% of teachers.
General secretary Chris Keates said: “This survey illustrates the damage which is being inflicted on teachers’ professionalism, morale and skills as a result of the ideologically driven assault on their pay, pensions, working conditions and job security.”
