Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders 2027-2031

Market Engagement

The WLTL study was commissioned to improve the evidence base, and our understanding of the teaching workforce in England through the collection of comprehensive, regular survey data, supported by qualitative work to monitor trends and address strategic questions. Outputs from the Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders study (WLTL) are now deeply embedded in our teacher and leader evidence base and are used extensively - both within DfE and in the wider sector - when assessing the experiences of teachers and leaders.

The first WLTL study collected its first wave of data in 2022 and will collect its fifth and final wave in 2026. We now require contractors to design and deliver the next phase of the study (WLTL2) comprising 5 further annual waves (from 2027 to 2031).

The contractor will need the expertise and capacity to carry out a large and complex survey (responses from at least 10,000 teachers and leaders are required each wave); develop a range of methodologically robust analytical outputs; and build comprehensive, high-quality, cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets that can be shared externally. The contractor will also be required to deliver supplementary qualitative and analytical outputs across each wave.

We will be holding a virtual market engagement event on Monday 20th October 2025 (2pm-3pm) to provide more information about the contract for the next wave of surveys and answer questions about the survey.

If you would like to attend please forward your email address to workinglives.teachers-leaders@education.gov.uk and you will be sent a meeting invitation.