.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
Majority of teachers 'are observing body image concerns among students'
Secondary school teachers are widely worried about their pupils' body image concerns, according to a new industry survey.
The National Union of Teachers surveyed 492 secondary school teachers' views on their pupils' confidence in their body image, finding that 98 per cent said that some or more of their students are affected by worries about how they look, including 38 per cent who said that "nearly all" of their students are affected.
Moreover, 98 per cent of teachers said some or more of their students are affected by a societal pressure to look a certain way, while 97 per cent believe that pupils are affected by sexist or stereotypical comments. Additionally, 64 per cent of teachers believe that girls are affected more strongly by body image issues than boys.
According to the report, these self-esteem problems are having a number of serious repercussions, with 82 per cent of teachers reporting that some or more of their pupils are opting out of physical activities such as swimming, while 93 per cent said at least some of their students are affected by eating disorders.
Pointing to negative influences from the media as a potential cause of these problems, the respondents called for changes to education policy to help tackle them, including a broader curriculum and a new focus on personal, social and health education.
Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "Teachers identified that young people are looking to a narrow range of celebrities as role models. This snapshot survey identifies the work we need to do to help young people recognise that we come in all shapes, sizes and ages, and to break down the stereotypes about appearances which flow from sexism and racism."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Northampton
Description
Cover Supervisors – Northamptonshire Flexible, rewarding work in local secondary schoolsAre you looking to gain classroom experience, develop your skills, or take your first step into teaching? We’re
Reference
coversups
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Hertfordshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Cover Supervisors – Hertfordshire Flexible, rewarding work in local secondary schoolsAre you looking to gain classroom experience, develop your skills, or take your first step into teaching? We’re re
Reference
CSHERT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£100 - 110 per day
Location free text
Manchester City Centre
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Manchester
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate 1 to 1 SEN Teaching Assis
Reference
B2025SENTA12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Old Trafford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
EAL Teaching Assistant We are seeking an experienced and dedicated EAL Teaching Assistant to join the supportive and inclusive team at a client secondary school in Old Trafford, starting in November.T
Reference
B2025EALTA3
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Old Trafford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Classroom Teaching AssistantAre you passionate about working with children and looking for a rewarding full-time role in a secondary school?We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic indivi
Reference
B2025TA12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£150 - 220 per day
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Hull
Description
English Teacher – Secondary (Hull)Are you a passionate English teacher looking for your next opportunity? We’re seeking a dedicated Secondary English Teacher to join schools across Hull on either a f
Reference
English Teacher Hull
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£31,650 - 49,084 per year
Location free text
North Tidworth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£300 - £399 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Wiltshire
Description
A well-regarded secondary school in Tidworth is looking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic Maths teacher to join their dedicated team from October 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part
Reference
MT9357
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£89.38 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Monmouthshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Monmouthshire
Description
Location: Monmouthshire, South Wales Pay Rate: £89.38 per day Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm Contract: Starting October 2025 About the RoleAre you looking for a fulfilling role where you can make a lasti
Reference
MC1809TaMon
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENSalary
£31,650 - 49,084 per year
Location free text
Salisbury
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£300 - £399 per day
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Salisbury
Description
A welcoming and forward-thinking secondary school in Salisbury is seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Modern Foreign Languages teacher to join their team from October 2025. This is a fanta
Reference
MFLSP00
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£89.38 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Torfaen
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Torfaen
Description
Location: Torfaen, South Wales Pay Rate: £89.38 per day Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm Contract: Starting October 2025 About the RoleAre you confident working with secondary school children and passionat
Reference
MC1809TATor
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENRelated posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job