Teacher workload has long been a challenge in UK education. A recent survey from the National Education Union (NEU) found that 48% of teachers in England and Wales describe their workload as “unmanageable” all or most of the time. Only 1% said their workload was consistently manageable.
For school leadership and strategy teams, this is more than just a statistic—it’s a call to action. Teachers are at the heart of student success, and when they’re overburdened, the entire school ecosystem suffers.
In this post, we’ll explore common senior leadership team (SLT) mistakes that unintentionally increase teacher workload, and more importantly, offer practical strategies to ease pressure and promote staff wellbeing.
Why Teacher Workload Should Be a Priority in School Leadership and Strategy
Managing teacher workload isn’t just about avoiding burnout—it’s a cornerstone of effective school leadership and strategy. Here’s why it matters:
1. Enhances Teacher Wellbeing and Social-Emotional Health
Unmanageable workloads contribute to stress, exhaustion, and high attrition. When schools support balanced workloads, teachers can invest energy in what truly matters—connecting with students, developing quality lessons, and nurturing classroom relationships.
This also supports social-emotional learning (SEL) outcomes, as emotionally healthy teachers are more equipped to foster safe, supportive environments for students.
2. Improves Teacher Effectiveness
Overworked teachers struggle to plan personalised, inclusive lessons. But when given adequate planning and reflection time, they can differentiate instruction, tailor resources, and support every learner effectively.
This ultimately improves student outcomes and classroom engagement—both key goals for any strategic school leadership plan.
3. Reduces Turnover and Retains Talent
Increased workload is one of the top reasons teachers leave the profession. By creating a culture that values work-life balance and staff support, SLTs can retain skilled educators and maintain continuity for students and families.
4. Creates a Better Learning Environment
When teachers are rested, motivated, and focused, students benefit from stronger instruction and more responsive teaching. Schools that prioritise teacher wellbeing promote a healthier, more engaged school culture from the top down.
5 Common School Leadership Mistakes That Increase Teacher Workload
Even well-meaning school leaders can unintentionally contribute to teacher overload. Here are five common missteps to watch for:
1. Setting Unrealistic Expectations
Nearly 80% of teachers say SLT expectations significantly affect their workload. Unrealistic goals—whether tied to assessment targets or marking demands—put undue pressure on staff and reduce their ability to focus on impactful teaching.
2. Not Providing Sufficient PPA Time
Planning, preparation, and assessment (PPA) time is essential—but many teachers feel their allotted 10% is simply not enough. Without adequate time, they’re left working overtime, sacrificing personal time and wellbeing.
Advocating for at least 20% PPA time, as recommended by the NEU, should be a strategic priority for leadership teams.
3. Holding Excessive Staff Meetings
Union guidance suggests staff meetings should not exceed one hour per week. Yet many SLTs hold multiple or overly long meetings, which cut into teachers’ limited planning time. Streamlining communication and respecting boundaries makes a big difference.
4. Relying on Manual, Time-Consuming Processes
From data tracking to lesson planning, manual systems slow teachers down. Leadership teams that hesitate to adopt new technology may inadvertently increase workload and limit innovation.
Embracing school management systems and AI tools is a forward-thinking move aligned with strong school strategy.
5. Failing to Address Staffing Shortages
When schools don’t have enough teachers or support staff, the workload falls on fewer shoulders. This not only increases burnout but also affects classroom stability.
While the teacher recruitment crisis is complex, school leaders must pursue creative solutions like hiring incentives or flexible staffing models.
6 Smart Strategies for SLTs to Reduce Teacher Workload
To support a sustainable school culture, school leaders should take proactive steps. Here are six impactful strategies:
1. Hire More Support Staff
Teaching assistants and administrative staff can significantly lighten teachers’ daily load, freeing them up for instructional planning and student support.
2. Encourage Collaborative Planning
Shared planning time fosters team cohesion, reduces duplication of effort, and gives teachers the opportunity to co-create resources—leading to better outcomes with less stress.
3. Cut Down on Meetings
Utilise collaboration platforms to share updates asynchronously. When meetings are necessary, set clear agendas and time limits to respect everyone’s schedule.
4. Invest in Efficient Technology
A good school management information system (MIS) can streamline lesson planning, attendance, grading, and behaviour tracking—saving hours each week.
5. Incorporate AI to Automate Repetitive Tasks
AI tools like AI Sidekick can support teachers with lesson creation, assignment generation, and marking. This boosts productivity and allows teachers to focus on meaningful interactions with students.
6. Align Strategy with SEL Goals
Supporting teacher wellbeing aligns with social-emotional learning frameworks, which prioritise mental health, relationship-building, and a supportive school climate for both staff and students.
Empower School Strategy with Satchel One
If your school leadership team is ready to reduce workload, improve retention, and support strategic goals, Satchel One can help.
As an all-in-one school management and learning platform, Satchel One simplifies classroom administration and includes AI Sidekick, a smart assistant that helps with lesson planning, homework creation, and more.
It’s a practical solution to a pressing problem—and a key tool for any school leadership team looking to build a more efficient, sustainable school environment.
Discover how Satchel One can reduce teacher workload and support school strategy.
