Lambeth’s teachers are facing record levels of stress with many quitting the professions as a result, according to Lambeth NUT.

Statistics obtained by the Streatham Guardian through a Freedom of Information request show stress is the top recorded reason given by teachers for absence this academic year.

It has been in the top three reasons for absence for the past three years.

In the last school year a teacher was absent for a total of 260 days under the category of “stress, depression and mental health problems”.

Lambeth NUT secretary Sara Tomlinson said: “Stress is one of the most common complaints from our members. The Government’s obsession in chasing targets means teachers and schools are put under unbelievable pressure.

“Many are at breaking point. The turnover at schools in Lambeth is very high.”

She said stress levels are particularly high in Lambeth because many schools were in deprived areas with pupils from the most challenging backgrounds, and were at the “epicentre” of the key issues affecting teenagers today such as knife crime.

But instead of concentrating more time on the pastoral side of teaching - and helping young people struggling with social issues - she said teachers had to focus too much attention on meeting targets.

Proposals for “teacher MOTs” would only add to the problem, she added.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) spokeswoman said there were more teachers now than before and more support staff.

She said: “We've made massive strides to reduce the workload to free up heads to run their schools and enable teachers do what they do best - teach.”

Teachers had many administrative tasks removed, she added, and were given 10 per cent of their timetable to plan, prepare and assess work.

A Lambeth Council spokesman said sickness among teachers in the borough was no better or worse than any other inner London authority.

He said: ”Teaching is one of the most demanding professions a person can pursue as a career and the pressure of achieving exam targets is understandably stressful for everyone involved.

"This is why there are a number of support networks in place to help teachers who are experiencing problems.

“Teachers also have access to counsellors and coaches who will seek to resolve issues and try to address concerns before they escalate.”

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