Charlie Burley, founder of The Teacher's Health Coach, on why leaving teaching isn't the silver bullet you think it is
“Your work is not your worth. You’re worth the day off, you’re worth the rest, you’re worth seeing your friends, you’re worth having hobbies outside school. You don’t need to earn any of that stuff.”
Charlie Burley is the founder of The Teacher's Health Coach, a training company on a mission to ensure no teacher has to sacrifice their health for their vocation. Charlie grew up in schools: his mum was a dinner lady and cleaner, and he spent his free time hanging around after hours, seeing teachers as human beings rather than professionals behind a desk. He went on to teach in Thailand for two years before returning to the UK, where six years as an upper key stage two primary teacher ended with a panic attack in his classroom and a diagnosis of chronic stress and anxiety. In this conversation, Charlie explains the six Cs of teacher wellbeing, shares why he believes leaving the profession isn't the answer for everyone and offers practical advice for teachers navigating stress.
🎙️ Episode highlights
Charlie describes the moment it all changed: a chair thrown across the classroom, a panic attack he'd never experienced before, a day in hospital and a doctor telling him he needed a whole lifestyle change.
He explains the gap between policy and the classroom: ministers jump between sectors "like they're changing shirts" while teachers feel decisions are made by people who've never walked in their shoes.
Charlie shares his six Cs framework: care, capacity, clarity, competency, connection and contribution. Workload sits under capacity, but it's not the whole picture.
He offers a reality check for those thinking of leaving: four years out of the classroom, he's found the transition difficult and the stress doesn't always disappear with a new job title.
Charlie pushes back on the wellness advice that floods social media: if the person giving it has a private chef and lives somewhere sunny, it might not apply to a British teacher in February.
His unpopular opinion: wellbeing isn't just about workload. Communication is sometimes more of a stress than the hours themselves.