Psychologists sent into classrooms in a variety of schools around the country found that teachers break into a smile on average 10 times every half an hour, and that they enjoy two-way banter with children five times and laugh out loud four times during the same period.

According to the report, commissioned by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), twice as many teachers find their work extremely enjoyable (the highest rating) compared to professionals with careers in marketing, IT and accountancy.

The study also explored which jobs are most likely to cause 'optimal flow experience', a concept identified by a leading academic* and increasingly recognised by psychologists and management experts, which measures the enjoyment, concentration and absorption in a task.

The research showed that teachers are more likely to experience these enjoyable 'highs' than people working in comparable careers. Nearly half (44 per cent) of teachers said they experience this regularly, in contrast to 34 per cent of people working in other professions. 

This is confirmed by the 63 per cent of teachers who reported that they often or always find themselves totally immersed in their work. One in five said that they never think about anything else other than the job in hand.

As part of the study, teachers were asked to keep diaries.  These assessed their levels of 'flow' during lessons, and their mood afterwards, revealing high levels of alertness and happiness during the day.

According to the teachers interviewed and surveyed, many factors make their job enjoyable. They cited the buzz around the corridors, working with young people, the satisfaction gained from feedback from pupils and the nature of the school year as contributing to their happiness.

Interaction with pupils featured high on the list of reasons why teaching is enjoyable, with 80 per cent saying the best aspect of their job was engaging with young people.  Ninety three per cent cited the sense of achievement which working with pupils offers.

Graham Holley, executive director at the TDA said: "We've known for some time that the enjoyment of working with young people is the main reason teachers like their jobs.  Understanding more about what specifically makes the job enjoyable is crucial to our recruitment drive.  We need to ensure that teaching remains the top career choice for high calibre graduates that it is, particularly for those who are qualified in maths, science and languages."

Graduates interested in more information about teacher training courses should visit www.teach.gov.uk or call the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 (minicom: 01245 454343).  The TDA's advertising campaign returned to screens on 12 September.

A full copy of the report is available at www.tda.gov.uk/joblab.

Notes for editors

*Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pron. Chick-sent-me-high-ee) (Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1965 / B.A., University of Chicago, 1960) is one of the founders of the Positive Psychology movement and a best selling author on the subject of flow (optimal peak experience). Director of the Quality of Life Research Center (QLRC) at the Drucker Graduate School of Management, US, he is a member of the American Academy of Education, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Leisure Studies.

This news release is issued on behalf of the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

The research was completed during June and July 2005 by CrossLight Management Ltd. The lead researcher, Dr. Stephanie Morgan, is a chartered psychologist and an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London.A mixed methodology was used including a major survey completed by over 1000 teachers and 300 comparison careers, 71 experience sampling 'diary' entries, 57 observations and 38 depth interviews. All researchers who worked on the project are members of the British Psychological Society.

Media enquiries

Mel Garfield/ Andi Neophytou/ Michael Sheen at Band & Brown Communications.
Tel: 020 7419 7312/ 6949 / 8616
E-mail: mel@bbpr.comandi@bbpr.com / michael.sheen@bbpr.com

General TDA enquiries

0870 496 0123

Training and Development Agency

For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.teach.gov.uk. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 – 992 for Welsh speakers (minicom 01245 45 43 43).

Applications for most postgraduate initial teacher training courses are processed through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry and can be submitted online at www.gttr.ac.uk. Applications for undergraduate teacher training courses can be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (www.ucas.ac.uk).

A newly qualified teacher (NQT) can expect to start on a salary of at least £19,161 (£23,001 in inner London) in September 2005. The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to at least £30,339 outside London and £35,985 in inner London in September. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to over £90,000 depending on size of school.

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000.

From September 2006, newly qualified teachers (NQTs) with a PGCE in maths and science may also be eligible for a taxable 'golden hello' payment worth £5,000 after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, English or drama, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and RE may receive £2,500.

Details are available at www.tda.gov.uk/recruit/thetrainingprocess/coursefunding

The Graduate Teacher Programme enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at www.tda.gov.uk/recruit/thetrainingprocess/typesofcourse

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