It used to be that politicians would praise hard-working teachers & school leaders, even if their policies didn't always reflect this view. Now it seems they are not even bothered about the platitudes, says Geoff Barton
In a recent survey, we asked senior leaders in English state schools which factors would prompt them to consider leaving the teaching profession.
The most common response was exhaustion and fatigue (68%), followed by unsustainable workload and working hours (67%). I am sure that, alongside pay, many classroom teachers would say something similar because of the pressures that plague the education system.
These pressures are, of course, chronic underfunding – with demands on schools far exceeding the affordable level of staffing – persistent staff shortages, and a punitive regime of inspections and performance tables which drives stress and anxiety.
