Concerns over workload, pay and leadership support are among the issues highlighted within a survey of staff working in government schools – with roughly three-in-five respondents having considered leaving their role in the last 12 months.

And almost half (46%) of those who took part in the Jersey Schools and Colleges Survey 2025 reported being less satisfied than they were three years ago.

The survey was conducted by the Children, Young People, Education and Skills
(CYPES) department in partnership with trade unions in July, with all staff working in Government of Jersey schools and colleges invited to participate.

The figures at a glance…

  • Over 600 responses were received, representing 28% of the workforce – including teachers, teaching assistants, student services and support staff, catering staff, site staff, technicians and office and administration staff.
  • At the time of the survey, 69% of respondents were very or fairly satisfied in their current role, whilst 5% were very dissatisfied.
  • Just under half of respondents (46%) reported being less satisfied than they were three years ago, a theme that was more evident in fee-paying schools (54%) and special schools (70%).
  • Around a quarter (26%) of respondents based in primary schools, as well as 20% of those based in secondary schools, were more satisfied than they were three years ago.
  • Student-facing non-teaching respondents were most positive in relation to this question, with 32% feeling more satisfied.
  • The majority (70%) of all respondents said they would recommend their school to their friends to send their children to. This was similar in fee-paying (74%) and non-fee-paying schools (69%).
  • However, the figure was smaller among the teachers who responded, with 63% reporting that they would recommend their school.
  • And, of the overall respondents, 56% of respondents reported that they would recommend their school as a good place to work, while 30% weren’t sure.
  • 62% of respondents reported that they had considered leaving their role in the last 12 months – a response more likely among teachers (69%) compared with around 50% in each of the other staff groups.
Pictured: The majority of respondents had considered leaving their role in the last 12 months (CYPES).

The greatest factors cited by those who had considered leaving in the last 12 months included workload, work-life balance and stress as well as pay and cost of living, leadership, support and progression opportunities.

“Around two thirds of respondents were positive about their roles, enjoying relationships with pupils and colleagues and the rewarding nature of the work,” the report stated.

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

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

Jersey Schools and Colleges Survey 2025

In the section on working conditions, the report also noted that: “Most respondents reported working long hours, with teachers averaging around 50 hours and headteachers, deputy headteachers and assistant headteachers over 55 hours, compared to about 40 hours for non-teaching roles.

“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.”

A previous iteration of the survey, aimed at teachers, was conducted in 2021 – prior to the pay dispute that saw strikes take place in 2023 and 2024.

Pictured: Education Minister Rob Ward.

Education Minister Rob Ward had previously stated that the survey had been redeveloped to gain a better insight into the “experiences, working conditions and perceptions of being employed at a Government of Jersey school”.

“Going forwards, it will run every two years, to allow us to map trends and changes over time,” he noted.

“The responses we receive will provide us with rich data that allows for the sharing of good practice, as well as identifying areas for improvement.”

Deputy Ward also thanked the respondents for their “ongoing dedication and hard work in education” and for “supporting our children and young people”.

“I am hugely grateful for all that you do,” he added.