Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help improve morale of (a) teachers and (b) other education professionals.

The morale and wellbeing of staff in schools is of vital importance to the Department. Last year, the Department set up an Expert Advisory Group to advise on the wellbeing of staff in schools and colleges. Their recommendations were accepted by ministers and published in June 2020 and can be viewed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/890547/Nick_Gibb_letter_to_EAG.pdf.

The Department has made a range of commitments to support the wellbeing of teachers and other education professionals in schools and colleges, including the creation of a wellbeing charter for the teaching sector. The charter will help to create an open culture around wellbeing and mental health, and to break down stigma. It will include a range of commitments by the Government, and for employers in schools and colleges, to promote and protect staff wellbeing.

The Department recognises the excellent job that all of those working in education are doing during these challenging circumstances. The Department sponsors the ‘Thank a Teacher’ campaign, run by the Teaching Awards Trust, so that any pupil, parent or member of the public can show their appreciation for education staff working in schools and colleges. Thousands of thank you cards have been sent to education staff since the outbreak of COVID-19, and this year’s Thank a Teacher Day in May was the biggest ever.

The Department also sponsors the National Teaching Awards, which recognise excellence in teachers, schools and education professionals across the UK. We look forward to celebrating the gold winners when they are announced later this year.