What am I doing wrong?

[ListObsessed]

I'm an experienced teacher but the planning, marking, assessment etc. is taking over my life, plus being part-time it seems like I'm having to go in on my days off for something or other most weeks! I have to fit it in around my young children and am doing a ridiculous number of hours. Is it just me doing something wrong or is this how it is for all of us? Not sure how much longer I'll be able to stay in teaching at this rate.

I am part time 0.4 but it feels like full time as the planning load is the same , I.e. If you teach 1 y8class or 6, you still have to plan the lesson and resources.

My issue is perfectionism. I could plan 24 hours a day but I'm not letting myself do it this year as marking is just as important and I didn't spend enough time on it, or do it regularly enough last year (I teach a practical subject).

This year I teach y7,8,10 and 11 and my new rule is: all planning done on a Sunday early morning and late evening and marking done in small regular doses during the week, over a 2 week cycle. Luckily my largest class size is 26 this year and the average is about 23, which is a lot more palatable than 32!

You're not doing anything wrong. That's just how teaching is these days .

I agree ... I am also 0.4 but seem to spend every spare moment planning; after school, before dawn, when dc are asleep/watching dvds ...

I'm 0.6 and timetabled to teach every day so have work to do every evening except Fri and Saturday, which is ridiculous when you think I'm only paid three days a week.

Full time teachers I know have to cut corners to fit it all in - not mark books as often, book computer rooms regularly to save planning, set easy to mark homework etc.

Don't go in on your days off and don't take on any work over and above your responsibilities.
I used to do that before I moved to work within a team of very assertive teachers. I used to be in awe of them standing up to management with a firm, 'No I can't fit that in to my timetable,' but now I realise what a pushover I was in the past.