Past event
In recent years, the teaching profession has faced an unprecedented crisis, with alarming rates of teacher shortages and high turnover rates across the globe. As the demands on educators continue to escalate, fuelled by rigorous accountability measures and ever-increasing regulatory requirements, a critical question arises: Has the relentless pursuit of quality inadvertently undermined the very foundation of teaching as a career?
Recent studies have highlighted the detrimental impact of excessive workloads and mounting accountability pressures on teachers’ mental health and job satisfaction. A report by the Education Support Partnership (2021) revealed that a staggering 77% of teachers in the UK experienced mental health issues due to their work, with workload being cited as the primary cause. Similarly, a study by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER, 2022) found that nearly one-third of teachers in England were considering leaving the profession within the next five years, citing excessive workload and accountability pressures as significant contributing factors. High-stakes accountability measures, such as Ofsted inspections, are seen to impact on teacher morale and retention. A report for the National Education Union by researchers at UCL (2023) revealed that the intense pressure associated with Ofsted inspections often leads to increased stress levels, burnout, and a narrowing of the curriculum, ultimately undermining the very quality of education these measures aim to promote.
This panel discussion will provoke and challenge, shedding light on the complex interplay between regulatory body expectations and school-based teacher and school leader experience. Drawing upon the latest research findings, this academic discourse aims to unravel the intricate dynamics at play and explore potential solutions to this multifaceted challenge.
Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the following key areas:
As the teaching profession navigates these challenging times, the “Has Quality Killed Teaching?” panel discussion promises to be a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of one of the most pressing issues facing the education sector today.
Draft Programme:
| 09:00 |
Welcome & Introduction |
| 09:10 | Panel Discussion Tanya Ovenden-Hope, Plymouth Marjon University Jo Lampert, Monash University Larissa McClean-Davies, University of Melbourne Amy McPherson, University of Newcastle, Australia Clare Brooks, University of Cambridge Beng Huat-See, University of Birmingham |
| 09:50 | Summary |
| 10:00 | Event Close |
Professor of Education & Dean at Plymouth Marjon University
Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope is Provost and Professor of Education at Plymouth Marjon University. In 2018 she developed and opened Marjon University Cornwall based in Truro, which she leads. Tanya is a committed and enthusiastic educationalist...
Lecturer at University of Plymouth
As a lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Education and Programme Lead for the National Award for SEN Coordination at the University of Plymouth I am interested in questioning education, what education means, what it looks like and where it...
Professor of Education at University of Cambridge
Clare Brooks is Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge. Following her experience as a teacher of geography in east London, her research interests are still geographical, specifically in spatial justice and teacher education. She...
Prof of Education Research at Durham University
Beng Huat See is a professor in the Department of Teacher Education, University of Birmingham, UK. Her work largely involves reviews and synthesis of evidence in education, evaluation of large-scale intervention programmes, and re-analysis of...
Professor of Teacher Education for Social Transformation at Monash University
Jo Lampert is Professor of Teacher Education for Social Transformation in the School of Education, Culture and Society at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Known for her work in leading two large Australian social justice teacher...
Senior Lecturer at University of Newcastle, Australia
Dr Amy McPherson is a Senior Lecturer and member of the Teachers and Teaching Research Centre at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is currently a chief investigator of an Australian Research Council exploring the impacts of teacher...
Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) at University of Melbourne
Larissa McLean Davies leads large-scale Teacher Education research which mobilises partnerships with Government agencies, Education Departments, and not-for-profit organisations. Her mission is to convene interdisciplinary, translational research...
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Providing a forum for sharing, developing and disseminating research that explores, informs and improves outcomes in education.
Welcome to the BERA Annual Conference 2025 It is a great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to a BERA Annual Conference 2025. The BERA Annual Conference, as a key event in the BERA events...
Opportunities and challenges for further education
In recent years, the teaching profession has faced an unprecedented crisis, with alarming rates of teacher shortages and high turnover rates across the globe. As the demands on educators continue...
