We all know that, like everyone else, teachers have their limits.  What is less well understood, however, is the knock-on  effect that low teacher health and wellbeing can have on school pupils.  Our hope is that, if this knock-on effect on pupils can be better understood, everyone with the power to make a difference will do more to support teachers' health and wellbeing.  This is why we are inviting teachers, educationalists and those who work with them, to help us and the Work Foundation, a provider of research-based analysis, knowledge exchange and policy advice, to establish a review that independently identifies whether teacher wellbeing impacts on pupil outcomes, and looks at how teacher wellbeing can be best improved.

There is no time like the present for a review of this kind.  The recently released report on the 'Independent Review of Sickness Absence' said that education is the third highest sector in terms of prevalence of work-related stress, anxiety and depression.  All too often we now come across teachers with preventable mental health conditions, as well as other health and wellbeing issues through the services we provide.

Our challenge is to prove that supporting teachers pays dividends, particulalrly in cost savings and improvements to pupil outcomes, but we will need your help.  Please express your support in the dedicated forum below.

This article originally featured in The Supporter magazine.  To find out more about the magazine or to be added to the mailing list, click here.

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