Teacher sickness led to the loss of 3.2 million working days across schools in England in the 2021/2022 academic year, a rise of 61% over five years with one union claiming the days lost are due to “stress, overwork and burnout.”
The average teacher in England took 6.3 days off sick in 2021/22, up from 4.1 days five years before, Department for Education figures show. More than two thirds of teachers (68%) were off sick at some point in the academic year, up from 55% five years before.
Read Newcastle's news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day's news and sport and enjoy even more from the NewcastleWorld team. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.
In the North East, teachers took an average of 6.3 days off sick across 2021/2022, up from 4.6 days in 2016/17.
Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teacher’s union, said that the increase in both the proportion of teachers taking sick leave and the number of days taken “reflects the reality that teachers are increasingly suffering stress, overwork and burnout”.
“The government has expected teachers simply to soldier on throughout the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis whilst more children are presenting with acute learning and support needs. The job of teaching is becoming impossible for teachers who are also finding themselves taking on the roles of counsellor, social worker and therapist to fill gaps left by cuts to children’s services.”
He said the figures were likely the “tip of the iceberg” as staffing pressures meant many teachers felt they had little choice but to come to work even when unwell.
The Department for Education was approached for comment. In a note accompanying the figures, it said the Office for National Statistics had observed a rise in sickness absence across the UK since 2020, which “broadly aligns” with the picture in the schools workforce.
Here we reveal which schools in Newcastle had the greatest average number of days taken in sickness absence by teachers, including those who were not off sick. We have omitted schools where fewer than five teachers took sick leave.
1. Newburn Manor Nursery School
At Newburn Manor Nursery School a total of 154 days were lost to sick leave, averaging 30.8 days per teacher. Photo: Google
2. Gosforth Park First School
At Gosforth Park First School a total of 183 days were lost to sick leave, an average of 14.1 days per teacher. Photo: Google
3. Sir Charles Parsons School
At Sir Charles Parsons School a total of 418 days were lost to sick leave, an average of 13.9 per teacher. Photo: Google
4. Gosforth Junior High Academy
At Gosforth Junior High Academy a total of 485 days were lost to sick leave, an average of 12.4 days per teacher. Photo: Google