82% of Teachers Say Behaviour Impacts Wellbeing—Here’s How to Change That!

Ask any teacher about the biggest challenges in their role, and behaviour is sure to be near the top of the list. Poor behaviour disrupts learning, increases teacher stress and burnout, and creates a tough environment for everyone.

Recent findings from Teacher Tapp and Education Support 's Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024 show a worrying picture:

From Teacher Tapp

• 76% of teachers said behaviour interrupted teaching and learning in their most recent lesson.
• 45% said learning stopped completely.
• 12% said learning was disrupted for more than 10 minutes.

From the Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024:

• 57% of staff reported pupils are more disruptive than last year.
• 63% said incidents of challenging behaviour have increased.
• 82% said behaviour issues negatively impact their mental health.

These statistics reflect the daily struggles faced by teachers in managing behaviour alongside delivering lessons—a balance that often feels impossible without the right tools.

Why Behaviour Is About More Than Discipline

Behaviour isn’t just about setting rules—it’s about helping children manage emotions, build resilience, and develop self-awareness. Many challenges stem from unmet emotional and mental health needs:

• 62% of staff attribute rising behaviour challenges to emotional needs, such as children not feeling safe, seen, or understood.
• Teachers are often managing classrooms while also acting as first responders to children’s mental health struggles.

This is where tools like our FEELIT® Mapper come in. By enabling students to check in daily, the Mapper helps build emotional literacy, giving children a safe way to share how they’re feeling. It also provides teachers with valuable insights into their students’ emotions, making it easier to support those who may be struggling.

Moreover, this tool allows teachers to intervene early and prevent small emotional challenges from escalating into bigger behavioural issues. Whether it’s helping a child manage frustration or identifying patterns that may signal a deeper concern, the FEELIT® Mapper empowers teachers to take proactive steps to address problems before they disrupt learning.

By focusing on prevention, the Mapper doesn’t just reduce disruptions—it creates a calmer, more supportive classroom environment where students feel understood and teachers can focus on teaching. Over time, this simple, daily practice transforms behaviour and strengthens the overall school culture.

“Since using the FEELIT Mapper, we’ve noticed a huge change in our children. They love learning about the different feelings, and it’s been wonderful to see them using this new vocabulary in their daily lives. There has been a real shift in their behaviour towards one another.” – Kathy Clarke, Assistant Head and SENDCO, Red Oaks Primary School

A Solution That Works: The Happy Confident Schools Program

The Happy Confident Schools Program tackles behaviour challenges at their roots, supporting students, teachers, and parents through:

1. Daily Emotional Check-ins: The FEELIT® Mapper helps students identify, understand, and express their emotions daily. This simple yet powerful tool takes only a few minutes but has a lasting impact, proactively reducing behavioural disruptions and creating a calmer classroom environment.
2. Engaging Lessons: With over 1,000 ready-made resources, the program delivers bite-sized lessons and activities that teach key skills like emotional literacy, empathy, resilience, and self-regulation. These lessons are designed to be completed in just 5–10 minutes, making them easy to integrate into busy school schedules while providing maximum benefit.
3. Parental Engagement: The upcoming Families Hub empowers parents to support their children’s emotional development at home. By providing aligned resources and practical tips, the hub ensures consistency between school and home, reinforcing what children learn in class.
4. Teacher-Friendly Design: All lessons are neuroscience-based, ready-to-go, and require minimal training. Teachers can implement the program easily alongside existing workloads, ensuring it enhances their day rather than adding to their stress.

“The program has given our children the tools to explore and articulate their emotions in ways we’d never seen before. It’s had a profound effect on the whole school community.” – Mrs S. Logan, Headteacher, Cunningham Hill Junior School

Practical Impact: Success Stories

Schools implementing the Happy Confident Schools Program have seen measurable improvements:

• Calmer Classrooms: Teachers consistently report fewer disruptions, enabling them to focus on teaching rather than managing behaviour.

“We’ve seen a real shift in behaviour, particularly in how students treat one another. The Mapper has not only reduced disruptions but has helped build a sense of respect and understanding among peers.” – Kathy Clarke, Red Oaks Primary School

• Improved Emotional Literacy: Students are gaining the tools to understand and articulate their emotions, reducing frustration and conflict.
• Empowered Teachers: The program’s ready-to-use resources integrate into the school day, giving teachers practical tools to address behaviour and emotional development without adding to their workload.

“The approach taken by The Happy Confident Company, providing students with self-reflection and discovery alongside a language to express their feelings, has seamlessly complemented our educational initiatives, providing tailored interventions, workshops, and whole school programs that have empowered our students to navigate challenges with resilience and confidence.” – David Williams, Director of Inclusion, Parks Academies Trust

Collaboration Is Key

Addressing behaviour challenges isn’t the responsibility of teachers alone—it’s a collective effort involving leaders, parents, and the wider community. By focusing on emotional wellbeing, schools can create environments where students thrive, teachers feel valued, and behaviour challenges become opportunities for growth.

If your school is ready to explore a proactive, practical approach to behaviour and wellbeing, book a free demo today and see how the Happy Confident Schools Program can help in your setting.

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