Schools are being asked to do more with limited resources. But as budgets tighten, one thing that must not disappear from the conversation is the wellbeing of staff.
A June 2026 report from DJS Research found that 69% of primary schools and 57% of secondary schools identified budget pressures as a key challenge for the following 12 months. It also highlighted that managing staff mental health and wellbeing has become a more prominent challenge since 2023.
Read the DJS Research findings.
When Resources Are Limited, Staff Still Need Support
Financial pressure can make it harder for schools to maintain staffing levels, provide development opportunities and invest in employee support.
Yet teachers and school teams are already managing heavy workloads, additional pupil needs and the everyday demands of keeping schools running.
When staff wellbeing becomes less of a priority, employees can be left feeling that they have to manage these pressures alone. Looking after staff does not always require expensive initiatives. Sometimes, it starts with listening, recognising challenges and making sure people know where to turn for help.
Making Staff Wellbeing Part of the Bigger Picture
At Shoorah, we believe supporting education staff should remain part of every school’s wider wellbeing approach.
Through its workplace wellbeing platform and Employee Assistance Programme, Shoorah can help education organisations provide access to confidential counselling, advice and wellbeing resources.
This cannot solve funding gaps or replace investment in schools. However, it can form part of a wider commitment to supporting employees, even when resources are stretched.
Because even when school budgets are tight, the wellbeing of the people who make education possible still matters.
