Supporting teachers to support learners: Prioritising teacher wellbeing for optimal student outcomes

Cara Carey, Development Lead, Teach First, UK Research suggests that if we are to create an environment where students can excel, we must prioritise the wellbeing of teachers. Improved teacher wellbeing facilitates improved pupil wellbeing (Harding et al., 2019; Ramberg et al., 2019), while the negative impact of teachers’ poor wellbeing seems to be greater for students who are already disadvantaged (Ramberg et al., 2019). If teachers prioritise their own wellbeing, they are likely to have greater capacity to effectively manage student behaviour, which will create a better learning environment (Bates, 2021). What can school and system leaders do? Ramberg et al. (2019) noted that there is evidence of variation between schools as to how well leaders are able to support staff and manage or prevent stress. There are now consistent voices stating that prioritising the wellbeing of teachers is not achieved through gimmicks such as whole-school compulsory yoga, but instead through a sy