The long-awaited results of the government’s Teacher Workload Survey 2016 were finally published recently, confirming that teachers are currently spending nearly 17 hours a week on lesson-planning and marking alone.
Secondary school teachers it found, were last year on average working 53.5 hours a week with secondary school leaders putting in 61.1 hours.
Clearly this is unsustainable and while long hour working cultures persist in many fields, how can anyone in secondary education ensure they are staying well equipped to sustain doing a good job? We all have to take personal responsibility to look after our wellbeing, at the same time setting a good example to young people to take forward into adulthood.
The government’s findings reflected the results of Education Support Partnership’s recent research commissioned as part of a YouGov TeacherTrack survey. The vast majority of secondary school teachers told us that looking to the immediate future, lessening workload and better support in the workplace were the top positive influencing factors to keeping them in the job.
And nearly half (44 per cent) told us that better workplace support for their personal wellbeing would help keep them teaching.
Of course, greater support is urgently needed. But in the here and now, day-to-day, how can you, whether a teacher or school leader, practically help yourself (and your teams if a leader) to ensure you continue to deliver in the workplace and protect your mental health and wellbeing?
Here are 10 suggestions to help you perform and protect yourself:
- There will always be more to do than there is time to do it. Prioritise and speak up when work demands are really too much. Is there another way to tackle what is required?
- Always take a lunch break.
- Limit checking emails to two or three times a day.
- Try to minimise unnecessary meetings and encourage colleagues and teams to do the same. We can all work smarter. Easier said than done of course but a quick audit of your time and where it is spent could reveal some surprising time-wasters that could be easily tackled and maybe warrant a discussion with your manager. Can a task be quickly resolved with a phone call rather than multiple emails? In meetings, keep on track with the agenda.
- Do not over-commit yourself. Teachers and school leaders are conscientious but could the load be shared? Is every task really necessary? Are you really the only person able to do it?
- Build up a bank of readily accessible resources that will engage students without too much reliance on you and your materials.
- Do not fall into over-planning lessons. It’s harder when you are newer in the profession of course, but always look at where you can simplify. It doesn’t mean losing quality.
- Reports can mean a heavy workload over a short space of time, particularly if you have multiple classes. Try to plan ahead and ask for input from others if needed. Build a “statement bank” to use as a starting point.
- You may feel over-directed, but many teachers actually have more autonomy than they realise, particularly in class. Make your lessons enjoyable for yourself as well as your students.
- Ignore the stay-late culture and don’t be afraid to politely ask for time off if you have an important family event.
Even trying to apply a few of these practical suggestions may result in instant or quickly experienced positive outcomes. In research by the Mental Health Foundation, two-thirds of respondents said that working long hours in any field had led to a negative impact on their personal life, so make your work/life balance a priority from today.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and need to talk, our specially trained counsellors are available on our free, confidential helpline (see below).
- Julian Stanley is the CEO of the Education Support Partnership. For help or advice on any issue facing those working in education, contact the free 24-hour helpline on 08000 562 561 or visit www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk