Unions blame ‘Ofsted paranoia’ as more teachers go on sick leave
TEACHERS are leaving the profession due to stress and mental health problems because they are constantly being asked to ‘prove their own worth’ in a system ‘terrified’ of Ofsted, union bosses say.
The comments come as new figures show the number of school staff in Greater Manchester on long-term absence increased last year.
The data, obtained from a Freedom of Information request, shows 300 teachers in the region were off work for a month or more with stress and mental health issues in 2016-17.
That was up from 295 in 2015-16.
Oldham had the biggest boost in long-term leave, with Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale also showing increases.
John Morgan, Manchester divisional secretary for the National Union of Teachers, says a change in culture is to blame. The union representative, who spent 20 years in Manchester secondary schools, said: “Leadership teams are terrified of Ofsted.
“Teachers feel they constantly have to prove their own worth. This is breeding paranoia.”
The figures were compiled by the Liberal Democrats, with Manchester and Wigan the only areas of Greater Manchester not to provide data.
They show Oldham had the highest number of teachers off on longterm leave for stress during 2016-17 – up from 42 in 2015-16 to 61 last year.
Trafford – up from 24 to 29 – and Rochdale – up to 37 from 36 – also saw increases. The research showed a decline in teaching numbers. Rochdale and Stockport were the only boroughs with an increase in staffing levels, while Trafford experienced a drop of 231 from the previous year.
Mr Morgan said: “We are seeing huge chunks of the older, more experienced sections of teachers leaving.
“At the other end, youngsters coming into the profession, the pressure they are under is leading to a huge dropout rate because of stress.”
Mr Morgan, who spends up to three days a week dealing with teachers on long-term stressrelated absences, added: “There has to be sensible accountability. I know of one teacher who has been to the doctor because he is waking up in the night with chest pains, thinking about the job and feeling terrified. He is suffering physical as well as psychological symptoms.”
Chris Keates, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: “This government has created a culture across schools where any adverse impact on the health and wellbeing of teachers is simply regarded as collateral damage.”
Drew Povey, headteacher at Harrop Fold School in Little Hulton, which featured in Channel 4 documentary Educating Greater Manchester, said teachers need reminding of the ‘brilliant thing’ they do.
He said: “They are there every day changing young people’s lives and that is a brilliant thing it’s not just about Ofsted ●●Data has revealed 300 teachers in Greater Manchester were off work for a month or more with stress and mental health issues in 2016/17 and exam results.”
Coun Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for Rochdale children’s services, said: “Our HR team works to support schools and teachers through our healthrelated absence policy, which focuses on wellbeing and we will continue to support schools to see further decreases in days lost.”
Bolton council acting leader, Coun Linda Thomas, said: “The needless pressure of the theatre of inspection and the target driven system our teachers are operating in is taking its toll.”
Andrew Webb, Stockport council’s corporate director for people, said: “Stockport’s school leaders take very seriously the wellbeing of teachers, providing support to them when needed. Sickness absence is closely monitored.”
“Teachers feel they constantly have to prove their own worth”