- The Teacher Impact Report from Blue Light Card reveals clear “thank you gap” between the impact teachers have and the appreciation they receive
- Six in ten Brits wish they’d thanked a teacher, and 59% saying they appreciate teachers more now than at school
- Over a third of Brits (33%) said exclusive perks and offers from brands would make teachers and school staff feel more valued, with the profession eligible for Blue Light Card membership from £4.99 for two years
- Read the full findings and renew or sign up here: LINK
MANCHESTER, UK. July 21st, 2026 – Brits are calling for teachers to receive more recognition, as new research reveals almost one in three admit they could not do the job themselves.
The study, commissioned by Blue Light Card, the UK’s dedicated reward service for the teaching community, NHS, emergency services, armed forces and social care workers, found 63% of Brits believe teachers should receive more recognition for the impact they have on society*.
Six in ten Brits say they wish they had thanked a teacher for the difference they made, while 59% admit they appreciate teachers more now than they did when they were at school.
But while Brits recognise the importance of teachers, many still believe they are undervalued, with 53% saying they do not get the credit they deserve.
The research also found 30% of Brits say it would be “impossible” to do a teacher’s job for just one week.
The findings are taken from Blue Light Card’s new Teacher Impact Report, a national study into the lasting impact of teachers beyond the classroom, released as schools across the UK prepare to break up for summer and Blue Light Card calls on the nation to celebrate teachers for shaping far more than just exam results.
The campaign is being backed by Lee Parkinson MBE, better known as Mr. P, the primary school teacher and education content creator recognised for services to education, who has built a national following with his honest, humorous and heartfelt view of life in the classroom.
The report found teachers’ influence is often felt long after pupils leave school, through the qualities people say they carry into adult life.
Curiosity emerged as the top quality teachers give the nation, named by one in five Brits. Confidence followed closely behind, chosen by 19%, while 16% said resilience was the most important quality they took from a teacher.
As thousands of teachers renew their Blue Light Card membership this summer, Blue Light Card is reminding eligible members of the teaching community to check their membership status, so they can continue accessing savings, rewards and benefits through the Blue Light Card app and website.
The research also suggests many people only fully appreciate the role teachers played years after they have left school.
On average, Brits say they do not fully appreciate teachers until their late 20s or early 30s, with having children of their own the most common trigger for that realisation, named by 34%.
Neil Caldicott, Chief Marketing Officer from Blue Light Card said: “Teachers give people qualities that can stay with them for life. Curiosity, confidence and resilience are what the nation credits them with the most, but our findings also show teachers help people speak up, think for themselves and keep going when things are hard.
“Over a third (33%) of Brits told us that exclusive perks and offers from brands would make teachers and staff feel more valued, and that’s exactly the gap Blue Light Card exists to close. We’re proud to stand alongside the people who show up for our communities every day, and teachers deserve to hear a proper thank you.”
Mr. P added: “These findings really echo the reality of teaching. Teachers do far more than help children through lessons or exams, they help build confidence, curiosity and resilience, often in ways pupils only fully appreciate years later.
“The fact that six in ten Brits wish they had thanked a teacher, and almost one in three say they could not do the job themselves, shows just how much respect there is for the profession. Now feels like the perfect moment to turn that respect into a proper thank you.”
Blue Light Card is available to those working in and retired from a wide range of frontline professions, including the NHS, emergency services, social care, education and the armed forces.
Members can access thousands of discounts from over 15,000 brands including national retailers, travel providers and hospitality brands through the Blue Light Card app and website.
ENDS