Speaking at the Association of School and College Leaders’ (ASCL) annual conference in Birmingham, Damian Hinds said the new group will work with the government to look at how to promote better wellbeing for teachers.
The education secretary said the new group will bring together head teachers and principals, teaching and college unions, professional bodies and mental health charity Mind to tackle the issue.
It will also listen to the concerns of teachers and school leaders before making recommendations to the Department for Education, local authorities and multi-academy trusts to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing in schools.
‘As a society there is a much greater level of understanding about mental health and wellbeing and it is something many of you raise with me when I visit your schools,’ said Mr Hinds.
‘Whilst those conversations are focused on supporting your students, I’m clear that your wellbeing is also something we need to prioritise.’
According to the National Foundation for Educational Research’s annual teacher market report, which was published in February, teachers suffer from a poorer work-life balance and higher stress levels than many other workers.
The report found 20% of teachers feel tense about their job most or all of the time, compared to 13% of those working in similar sectors.
‘The first, and arguably most important step, will be to start a conversation about mental health that empowers teachers, and make sure they have access to the right training and guidance to support themselves, their colleagues and their students,’ said the Chief Executive of the mental health charity Mind, Paul Farmer.
