According to the Sussex Argus, teachers in the county have the highest level of absenteeism in the country, with the 7,499 teachers taking 7,043 sick days between them.

The NUT spokesperson told the Sussex Argus: "Some of the conditions our members are being forced to endure are truly disgusting when you take into consideration the mental anguish they are now suffering."

Many of the teachers were absent due to illnesses such as stress, anxiety and depression, costing the county £1 million per year, the report continued.

Dealing with stress at work is one topic regularly debated in the TES forums. Pressures encountered during a teacher's probationary year is one current hot topic in the Health and Wellbeing Forum. Click here to join this debate.