“Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
Peter Drucker
Until such times as the purse strings open and the flood of investment necessary for education in this country finally arrives, workload in schools will remain higher than the human resource available to complete it. Here are some ideas to help square this circle, while protecting the welfare of staff.
“…purposeful work to promote Teachers’ health and welfare must be sustained to the greatest effect possible.”
TNC 2024/2 section 1.2.7
Reduce meetings
Meetings are included in the 1265 hours, so reducing the number of meetings frees up time for staff to do other tasks. Workload assess meetings – are they worth the time investment?
Divide and conquer
Having all staff, or all staff in a department, focus time on the same task can be inefficient. Create working groups to get diverse tasks done in the same time frame.
Flexible SDDs
SDDs and Baker Days are a rich source of additional hours within the 1265. Remember to allow staff to assign some outstanding directed tasks to this time block when needed.
Streamline marking
Consider the time cost and opportunity cost of marking policies. Simplifying feedback, and using verbal AfL rather than written AfL, frees up staff time for other things.
Set contact hours
Communication with parents is directed time, so set clear limits on when (and if) staff will be available to communicate with parents. Favour asynchronous communication, with reasonable turn-around times.
Lean email policy
Handling email is directed time, so reduce the amount of email sent and received. Encourage and train staff to use quick responses, including “yes” “no” answers. Change email culture.
“Both sides agree that the needs of the learner should be at the centre of the education process and that Teachers should be free of all unnecessary workload demands in order to focus on their pupils.”
TNC 2024/2 Preface
Fact-based timings
Some jobs take much longer than others. Ask staff to evidence how long tasks take so Principals can plan DTB timings realistically and fairly.
Remove make-work
Prioritise the jobs you want staff to do, and when hours are running short remove tasks which are poor value for time. This frees time up for more valuable activities.
De-clutter calendar
All calendar events must come out of the 1265 hours of directed time. Reducing the number of events frees Directed Time for other, more valuable, activities.
Plans can change
In-year variations are possible, but remember to consult staff first. Ensure that any new tasks are “paid for” in full by the removal of other planned tasks.
Clever calendars
Plan enrichment activities to alleviate contact when staff need freed-up time blocks to complete other directions. This “swapped time” is effectively DTB neutral.
Goodwill is reciprocal
Staff notice when good leaders treat them like professional adults, and when Principals ensure that staff work-life balance is a priority. They respond with loyalty and goodwill.