Teacher sickness led to the loss of 3.2 million working days across schools in England in the 2021/22 academic year, a rise of 61 per cent over five years, with one union blaming “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 per cent, were off sick at some point in the academic year, up from 55 per cent five years before.
In Nottinghamshire, a total of 44,552 working days were lost across the year, with 63.9 per cent of teachers taking sickness absence that year.
Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said 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”.
He said: “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.”
5. Priestsic Primary and Nursery School, Sutton
At Priestsic Primary and Nursery School, a total of 410 days were lost to illness in 2021/22, an average of 14.1 per teacher. Overall, 23 teachers took sickness absence, representing 79.3% of the workforce. Photo: m
6. Selston High School
At Selston High School, a total of 824 days were lost to illness in 2021/22, an average of 14 per teacher. Overall, 55 teachers took sickness absence, representing 93.2% of the workforce. Photo: m
7. Greenwood Primary and Nursery School, Kirkby
At Greenwood Primary and Nursery School, a total of 323.5 days were lost to illness in 2021/22, an average of 13.5 per teacher. Overall, 19 teachers took sickness absence, representing 79.2% of the workforce. Photo: m
8. Croft Primary School, Sutton
At Croft Primary School, a total of 331.5 days were lost to illness in 2021/22, an average of 12.8 per teacher. Overall, 19 teachers took sickness absence, representing 73.1% of the workforce. Photo: m