Read this:
Teachers are more likely to work unpaid overtime than staff in any other industry, with some working almost 13 extra hours per week, according to research.
A study of official figures from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found that 61.4 per cent of primary school teachers worked unpaid overtime in 2014, equating to 12.9 additional hours a week.
Among secondary teachers, 57.5 per cent worked unpaid overtime, with an average of 12.5 extra hours.
Across all education staff, including teachers, teaching assistants, playground staff, cleaners and caretakers, 37.6 per cent worked unpaid overtime – a figure higher than that for any other sector.
I'm sure we can all make a list of the things that make up our days and how overfill our time but on a daily basis lesson prep and marking are by far the most time consuming activities. Add to this reporting, writing schemes of work, undertaking CPD and so on and the time load becomes overwhelming.
In his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", the author Stephen Covey includes "sharpening the sword". This is about self-care and personal development. When do teachers find the time? Mental health suffers because we have no time to slow down, relax, reflect, put things into perspective, to do the things we want to do. How many of you dwell over issues from school, sleepless nights are a reality for so many in this occupation and this creates further problems.
Teachers are more likely to work unpaid overtime than staff in any other industry, with some working almost 13 extra hours per week, according to research.
A study of official figures from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found that 61.4 per cent of primary school teachers worked unpaid overtime in 2014, equating to 12.9 additional hours a week.
Among secondary teachers, 57.5 per cent worked unpaid overtime, with an average of 12.5 extra hours.
Across all education staff, including teachers, teaching assistants, playground staff, cleaners and caretakers, 37.6 per cent worked unpaid overtime – a figure higher than that for any other sector.
from "Teachers work more overtime than any other professionals, analysis finds" 27th February 2015 TES Online kaye wiggins
I once worked out that if I took all the hours I worked in a year and then divided them out on the basis of working a 37.5 hour week, I would need about 60 weeks in a year and to take no holiday.
Schools do not receive sufficient funding to reduce class sizes and increase PPA time by recruiting more teachers. There will currently be headteachers up and down the country laying-off teachers and increasing class size rather than the recruiting and decreasing.
I firmly believe that well-marked work is central to improving outcomes for pupils. I have taught so many Year 11 classes with more than 30 pupils that I would struggle to mark their work to the standard I know I should. We forget that teachers do believe in what they do, they don't want to let their pupils down and they do want to do their best for them. But how can they when they are working 60 hour weeks.
I have also noticed that workload creates significant resentment and division within schools. Be honest with yourself (don't have a go at me), how many Y6 teachers have resented their Y3 colleagues over workload, or how many secondary teachers have looked at PE and Art teachers with envy. The problem is that all teachers work hard. Put it this way, two people stranded in the middle of the Sahara are going to die, the one with a little water will be envied by the other and may last a little longer, but both are ultimately going to face the same fate.
I'm sure we can all make a list of the things that make up our days and how overfill our time but on a daily basis lesson prep and marking are by far the most time consuming activities. Add to this reporting, writing schemes of work, undertaking CPD and so on and the time load becomes overwhelming.
In his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", the author Stephen Covey includes "sharpening the sword". This is about self-care and personal development. When do teachers find the time? Mental health suffers because we have no time to slow down, relax, reflect, put things into perspective, to do the things we want to do. How many of you dwell over issues from school, sleepless nights are a reality for so many in this occupation and this creates further problems.
We often feel that we are competing against our colleagues and that coming up short when judged against those who are also working ludicrously long hours will make us look lazy and unprofessional.
I do believe that school leaders recognise this and they would reduce workload if they could. Schools have insufficient income to reduce class sizes and increase PPA time. The best that can be done is that school leaders need to be sensible about planning expectations and adopt a marking policy that benefits children whilst being realistic. The planning expectations of some schools are ludicrous and are a sure-fire way to increase work-related stress and breed resentment. The best school leaders understand that all teachers are different and respond individually to pressure. The worst unfortunately believe that because they didn't break on their way up through the profession that others should also have this resilience.
You must look after yourself. Your pupils need you. You are the difference between success and failure. You make a difference.
Please check out this from John Mellencamp Save Some Time. Listen to the words and reflect.
I do believe that school leaders recognise this and they would reduce workload if they could. Schools have insufficient income to reduce class sizes and increase PPA time. The best that can be done is that school leaders need to be sensible about planning expectations and adopt a marking policy that benefits children whilst being realistic. The planning expectations of some schools are ludicrous and are a sure-fire way to increase work-related stress and breed resentment. The best school leaders understand that all teachers are different and respond individually to pressure. The worst unfortunately believe that because they didn't break on their way up through the profession that others should also have this resilience.
You must look after yourself. Your pupils need you. You are the difference between success and failure. You make a difference.
Please check out this from John Mellencamp Save Some Time. Listen to the words and reflect.
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