Marvin OnumonuA survey by the National Education Union (NEU) found that teacher stress is widespread in English state schools, with 62% of teachers feeling stressed more than 60% of the time.
The survey revealed that 75% of teachers struggle to switch off from work at home, and many work evenings and weekends.
About 36% reported frequently cancelling plans to manage workloads.
Government research showed full-time teachers often work over 51 hours a week, with leaders working over 57.
Many teachers exceed the prescribed 1,265 hours of directed time, with the TUC’s survey indicating 38% do unpaid overtime.
NEU’s research reported worsening staffing issues with increased absences and staff departures affecting workloads.
Increased doubling up of teaching roles and concerns over insufficient specialist staff were noted.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said: “Teachers have no hesitation in doing their utmost for pupils. It is a vocation and a profession that takes pride in delivering the best for young people.
“But we have to face up to the immense toll this takes on teachers every day.
“It cannot be right that we have a working culture which invades every aspect of a teacher’s life.”
Kebede added: “The government’s own figures show that working hours are out of hand and they are getting worse.
“Leaders are forced to stretch staff ever more and the persistent problems with recruitment and retention compound the problem.
“Our members are working long hours in the knowledge there is no army of new colleagues riding to the rescue.”
He said: “Underfunding of schools and colleges is at the heart of the problem, but so is the undervaluing of teachers and support staff.
“We need to see a major pay correction not only to attract more into the profession, but also to keep them.
“It is short-sighted of any government to continue to ignore the root-and-branch solutions that are so obviously needed.”
