Hundreds of school staff consider leaving - survey

Hundreds of school staff in Jersey considered leaving their jobs in 2025, according to a survey.

The government's Jersey Schools' and Colleges' Survey said 28% of the workforce responded to it, which equated to more than 600 people.

Of them, 62% said they had considered leaving with people citing concerns of wellbeing, personal finances, and leadership. However, the report also said about two-thirds of people were positive about their roles "enjoying relationships with pupils and colleagues".

The survey was issued to all staff across the island's schools during two weeks in July. The government said the findings would "inform future planning and policy development".

The report said: "Around two-thirds of respondents were positive about their roles, enjoying relationships with pupils and colleagues, and the rewarding nature of the work.

"However, concerns about workload, pay, leadership support, and limited career progression meant that some respondents were considering leaving."

More than 30% of participants described student behaviour as being poor or very poor, and 68 respondents described incidents of "parental aggression".

The report said they included hostile emails, attacks on social media, and complaints made to the school.

Pupils also exhibited "sexualised behaviour" from other pupils, including sexual harassment and explicit language, according to 27 members of staff, the report said.

Six responses described being threatened with "sharp objects and dangerous items".

A high number of people who responded to the survey said they had worked long hours, with teachers averaging "around 50 hours" a week, and head teachers, deputy head teachers, and assistant head teachers working more.

It said: "Time beyond teaching was dominated by administration, behaviour management, and parent interactions, alongside unpaid extracurricular duties.

"Many respondents also reported experiencing challenging behaviours and a minority reported discrimination linked to gender, age, disability, and role bias."

The government said the staff survey "aims to highlight good practice, identify areas for improvement, and enable targeted support to the workforce".

"This survey builds on previous work and will inform future planning and policy development," it added.

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