Public Servant Lifestyle

As thousands of young people and their parents anxiously awaited their exam results over the summer break it is perhaps easy for them to forget that many teachers are also sharing in their worry, stomach churning and sleepless nights.

The pressure on teachers to help pupils achieve academically and maintain high school performance rates, means that far greater emphasis is being placed on exam results today than ever before.

One teacher told Teacher Support Cymru that the anxiety she felt every time a test or an exam was due to take place began to take a serious toll on her health and wellbeing.

Wellbeing?

Sam, a 42 year old science teacher in Powys said: “I was having difficulty sleeping, wasn’t eating properly, and also began to suffer panic attacks. I was worried about my pupils: whether they had been given the right amount of information and guidance, had I sufficiently prepared them for their exams, and whether they could cope with these pressures?"

A recent survey of teachers in Wales and England, found that the pressure to increase pupils’ exam results had led to some teachers giving help that they felt was inappropriate to some students, for example through telling them what to write in their coursework.

57% of respondents to the survey said that pressure to improve attainment is having a negative effect on their wellbeing. Rather than putting excessive pressure on individual teachers, schools should take collective responsibility for driving up attainment. Part of that strategy must be to support and improve teacher wellbeing. The more motivated, enthusiastic and resilient the teacher, the more able they will be to engage, inspire and educate young people in order to ensure that they fulfill their potential.

Perspective

Sam said: “Talking things through with the counselor helped to relieve the pressure I was under, and get a proper perspective on the situation. I soon recognised that I had prepared my pupils as best as I could, and that I was worrying too much, more so than the pupils themselves.”

Teacher Support Cymru is the national, independent charity providing practical and emotional support to teachers and lecturers - trainee, serving and retired - in Wales. Teacher Support Cymru exists to ensure that the health and wellbeing of teachers is maintained, which is essential to the successful performance of schools and their pupils, at all times.

If teachers are feeling stressed or under pressure at pending exam results, they are being encouraged to contact Teacher Support Cymru on 08000 855 088, or visit the organization’s website: www.teachersupportcymru.info for free, confidential help and advice.

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