The Importance and Impact of Staff Wellbeing in Education

Education staff wellbeing is a critical driver of educational success. Evidence from UK government bodies and educational research institutions confirms that supporting the mental, emotional, and physical health of teaching staff leads to improved retention, reduced absence, and enhanced student outcomes. This briefing outlines the national context, internal trust insights, and strategic recommendations for embedding wellbeing into our educational framework.

The Teacher Wellbeing Index (Ofsted 2019) highlights that while teachers enjoy teaching and value their relationships with pupils, they are often disappointed by the profession due to workload and lack of support with 78% of education staff reporting feelings of stress, with workload and lack of support being key contributors

Research from Oxford University shows that teacher wellbeing is strongly linked to student performance. Teachers who feel supported and valued are more likely to foster positive learning environments, leading to better academic results and improved behaviour among pupils (Taylor et al 2024).

The Education Policy Institute also reports that teacher wellbeing affects both retention and student outcomes, with over 947,000 educators impacted in LA funded schools in England (Wang & Zuccollo 2020).

The Department for Education (DfE 2025) promotes a whole-school approach to mental health, integrating wellbeing into leadership, curriculum, and staff development.

Wellbeing Initiatives

The Trust has implemented several initiatives:

• Mental Health First Aider Training: Delivered across schools to equip staff with skills to support mental health
• Menopause Support Packs: Practical resources to support staff wellbeing and inclusivity
• Annual Staff Surveys: Used to identify key themes and inform targeted interventions
• Tiered Support and Coaching: Coaching, quality assurance, and curriculum development are used to reduce stress and improve teaching practice.

These efforts are aligned with the Trust Improvement Plan and CEO strategic priorities.

Educational staff wellbeing is not an outlying concern—it is central to educational success. By investing in staff wellbeing, schools can create more stable, motivated, and effective teaching teams, which in turn foster better outcomes for students. This Wellbeing strategy represents Amethyst Academies Trust’s commitment to nurturing a thriving workforce. By aligning wellbeing initiatives with the People Strategy, the Trust aims to be an employer of choice where every colleague feels valued, supported, and empowered.