Teacher who left profession due to burnout launches app in Gosport to support others

A teacher who faced huge challenges with burnout in schools has created an app to tackle the problem.

Darshana Qureshi launched the Teacher Restore programme in Gosport on Friday (September 18). Several institutions have already jumped on board to support the project.

“It’s not just an app,” she told The News. “It’s a whole spectrum of tools that schools can use to support their teachers. Being an ex-teacher, I struggled and had to deal with burnout.

“Since retraining as a coach, I’ve found that there is so much we can do to help teachers stay well before they get to that point where they say ‘I’ve had enough’.”

Ms Qureshi said the app will make suggestions to teachers who are feeling low and overwhelmed. Schools also have access to inset day training tools, workshops, webinars, and other features to get the most out of their staff without over burdening them.

The programme also aims to save the Department for Education hundreds of thousands of pounds by reducing stress among teachers. It’s estimated that these problems cost the taxpayer £1,700 per teacher on average, with children being taught in such classes also achieving lower educational outcomes.

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Ms Qureshi said King’s Academy Bay House in Gosport and Meoncross School in Stubbington have already signed up as founding institutions. Regular drop-in zoom calls are organised throughout the week for teachers to attend. Experts will also make guest appearances to offer helpful advice and support.

“It basically creates a holistic view of wellbeing,” she added. “The reaction has been really positive so far. The teachers have embraced the testing process. They loved it and suggested lots of iterations. They’ve said what works and doesn’t. We’ve tweaked it, so now it provides exactly what they want.”

Further details can be found on the Teacher Restore website.