Teachers say job is 'incredibly hard' as poll finds most Britons 'couldn't do the job themselves'

Teachers in the UK are finding the profession increasingly difficult amid surging bad behavior and out of hours expectations, as new polling finds most of the public admitting they would struggle to cope with the demands of the job themselves.

Nearly two-thirds of Britons believe teachers deserve more recognition, according to new research released within Blue Light Card's teacher impact report.

The research surveyed 2,000 UK adults in June, and highlighted a growing "thank you gap" between the influence teachers have, and the appreciation they receive.

The findings show 63 per cent of respondents believe teachers should receive more recognition, while more than half (53 per cent) feel the profession does not receive the credit it deserves.

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Almost one in three (30 per cent) said it would be impossible for them to do a teacher's job, even for just a week.

Speaing on the hardships the profession brings, one teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, told GB News: "There's two things that most teacher's will struggle with - the first is behavior and low-level disruption.

"Talking, chatting, whispering and not being on task are all things that can make teaching stressful, as they can build up and wear you down."

They described the difficulty of making time for planning and marking work as "incredibly hard", with much ending up being done out of school hours.

"You spend all day teaching and completing other duties, and when you go home you have to mark three classes' work over dinner", they added.

"You've got to be a certain type of person to teach, and have to start out prepared for what the job brings", the teacher told the People's Channel, reflecting on the overwhelming positives the role can offer to the right fit.

They added: "I love teaching, because as much as it can be stressful, I get to be the person to help pupils develop and grown, and inspire them to aim high.

"You get lovely pupil-teacher relationships where they put their trust in you and enjoy your lessons, which in turn makes your experience more positive. You get to be part of their journey in growing up."

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The polling also suggests appreciation for teachers often grows with age, as six in ten adults said they wish they had thanked a teacher who made a difference in their lives, while 59 per cent admitted they value teachers more now than they did during their school years.

According to the report, many people do not fully recognise the impact of teachers until later in life, with respondents saying they typically gain a greater appreciation in their late 20s or early 30s.

For more than a third (34 per cent), becoming a parent was the moment they realised the challenges and importance of the profession.

Beyond academic achievement, the report found teachers leave a lasting impression by helping pupils develop life skills that continue into adulthood.

Curiosity was identified as the most significant quality teachers instil, cited by one in five respondents.

Confidence followed closely behind at 19 per cent, while 16 per cent said resilience was the most valuable lesson they had gained from a teacher.

Blue Light Card's campaign to support teaching staff is supported by primary school teacher and education content creator Lee Parkinson MBE, widely known as Mr. P, who said the findings reflect the reality of life in the classroom.

"Teachers do far more than help children through lessons or exams," he said, "they help build confidence, curiosity and resilience, often in ways pupils only fully appreciate years later."

Neil Caldicott, Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Light Card, said the report demonstrates the lasting influence teachers have on individuals and communities.

"Our findings show teachers help people speak up, think for themselves and keep going when things are hard," he said.

"More than a third of people told us exclusive perks and offers would help teachers and school staff feel more valued, and that's exactly the gap Blue Light Card exists to close."

Blue Light Card support is available to current and retired workers across education, the NHS, emergency services, social care and the armed forces, giving members access to discounts from more than 15,000 brands as the "thank you" they deserve.

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