Navigating the recruitment and retention crisis

Staff Retention in Academies

Our newly released report, “Staff Retention in Academies,” exposes plummeting staff retention amidst overwhelming workload and poor wellbeing.

Why is this report essential for HR Leaders, CEOs and COOs?

• Staff Retention Crisis: Staff retention rates in schools and trusts have plummeted to their lowest since 2018/19.
• Key Statistics: Alarming trends such as 1 in 2 teachers considering resignation frequently, while senior leaders show a comparatively lower risk of resignation.
• Central Trust Team Dynamics: A notable 4% increase in resignation considerations among central trust team members compared to last year.
• Workload and Wellbeing: Overwhelming workload and feelings of being undervalued are the top reasons driving staff to consider resignation.
• Health and Wellbeing Correlation: Physical and mental wellbeing strongly correlate with resignation risks, highlighting the need for robust support systems.
• Leadership and Appreciation: Staff who feel unappreciated by leadership or unable to plan their day are significantly more likely to consider leaving.

Key topics explored:

Identifying High-Risk Roles: Discover which positions within schools are most susceptible to resignation.

Workplace Optimism: Uncover school attributes such as Ofsted ratings and trust size, and explore their connection to resignation.

Drivers of Retention: Investigate the factors that strongly correlate with staff retention, offering actionable insights for improving retention strategies.

Understanding these retention trends is essential for school and trust leaders to develop targeted strategies aimed at retaining valuable staff members. This report equips leaders with the knowledge needed to address retention challenges effectively, ensuring the stability and success of their school communities.

Methodology

We drew insights from a dataset created based on the Edurio Staff Experience and Wellbeing Survey, which consisted of over 180,000 staff responses captured between September 2018 and March 2024. See the appendix for a full breakdown of the response numbers for each question analysed in the report.

The Edurio Staff Experience and Wellbeing Survey comprehensively examines key elements of staff work life, enabling school and trust leaders to understand the needs and priorities of their staff. The survey covers 18 modules, from communication to workload, professional support and general job satisfaction. This report is mainly focused on the key question: “In the last three months, how often have you considered resigning from your post?” and explores the experience of staff based on their characteristics and the characteristics of their school.