Schools 'must combat work-related stress for teachers'

6th November 2008

The Teacher Support Network (TSN) has called for schools to change the way in which they approach work-related stress among teaching staff.

It comes after National Stress Awareness Day was held on November 5th to highlight the issue.

The charity has urged schools to implement the Heath and Safety Executives' management standards.

This would mean school leaders and teachers coming together to reduce work-related stress in education.

Patrick Nash, the chief executive of the TSN, warned that teaching is among the "most stressful" occupations.

"It can lead to a wide array of physical and mental symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, and result in long-term sickness absence," he said.

And he added that it can have a negative impact on teachers' wellbeing and children's education.

Meanwhile, stress was identified as the most common safety concern by school representatives in recent survey carried out by the Trades Union Congress.