**Nearly 50% of teachers leave the profession within their first 5 years**

We’re facing a severe teacher retention crisis in this country. I’ve just completed my second year as class teacher and in 7 years in education things have never been this bleak; the workload never this great; Ofsted never so feared; wellbeing such a minor factor. But we get 12 weeks (mostly unpaid) holiday though, right?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but the education system in this country is absolutely broken. I spend as much time filling out paperwork these days and equating data as I do actually teaching my kids, which breaks my heart. I did a teaching degree, not a business degree. Sadly, schools are now being run as businesses. However, unlike many businesses, we are expected to achieve to often intentionally unattainable levels, and on the barest bones of funding. And by this I mean many schools literally cannot afford glue sticks.

These little people I work with daily are humans, with a wide array of varying emotions and thoughts; they’re not numbers to be crunched. Quite frankly, I don’t care what their baseline scores are at early years, or whether their SATs results at Year 2 are going to be accurate predictions of their results 4 years on in Year 6 (oh yes, fortune telling is also part of our jobs ladies and gents). I don’t care whether they’re going to pass their multiplication test in Year 4. I care that in FOUR years out of their seven at primary school, children are now statutory tested. Oh wait now hang on, make that FIVE with Year 1 phonics screening checks. I care that we are testing 7 year olds on every aspect of the core curriculum and putting them through that pressure from such a young age. I care that, unless I’m one of those speaking out (or leaving the profession in droves as many incredible colleagues and friends have), I’m part of that problem. I care that mental health problems in children are so significantly on the rise but there aren’t the facilities to meet these needs. I care that our kids and future of this country are often riddled with anxiety from such young ages and deal with so much pressure from society alone. I care that my classroom should be a safe place for them where they can be happy, but I have to juggle their happiness with expecting them to jump through the hoops of SATs.

The DfE and Ofsted need to be held to account for the obscene level of accountability placed on the shoulders of teachers these days and the impact this has on both teacher and pupil wellbeing. I’m 2 years in and I’m exhausted from the 60+ hour weeks, ridiculous workload (where my to- do list is never ever completed as I have 30 little minds to cater for daily), constant scrutiny from above despite a first class teaching degree and 7 years of experience in education, and the public and their completely unrealistic views of the teaching profession.

The current Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, and Chief Ofsted Inspector, Amanda Spielman, have no education experience between them; he’s previously been Defence Secretary and she’s from a financial background. I rest my case. Might just apply for the job myself, I’m more qualified after all. Ofsted have the audacity to proclaim that wellbeing is one of their key focuses, whilst asking schools to change their framework (rewrite whole curriculums) with a ‘grace period’ that they haven’t upheld. Instead, they’re systematically working their way around schools and failing them, whilst ending the careers of exceptional teachers who can’t cope with the obscene levels of stress placed upon them. My current school aren’t due an Ofsted inspection for 2 years but are already fearing this, despite doing all we can to meet the (current) expectations which will have shifted again within the year.

It’s no wonder this country is in the state it’s in if we can’t even invest in education and healthcare, but we’re instead trying to demolish both systems. Broken Britain, everybody. In the meantime, I start my Master’s degree in Psychology in July, around my full time teaching commitments. As a qualified child education psychologist (after my PhD too, wish me luck!), I have a feasible escape route from this disrespected and downtrodden profession if, and when, nothing is done to improve things for teachers. Oh, and let’s not forget that I’m one of the ones that knew exactly what I was getting into before I qualified, and studied around my full time teaching commitments. As an Ed. Psych, I’ll spent my days simply doing what’s most important instead; listening and responding to the needs of the children in my care.

To those 30 children currently in my care, I’ve got you. We’ve got this. I’ll fight the good fight for you all, don’t you worry. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that you are happy, even at the expense of my own happiness (and life) at times. You’re just kids after all. You deserve better than the adults who are failing you.