Managing workload

[samlovesdilys]

Hi, I read in an article about teachers in Nottingham who have pledged to only do 2 hours of work outside contract hours...anyone managing to do this? What isn't getting done? Do you think it is possible?? Interested in peoples views...

[HopeClearwater]

Jiminy your school is totally taking the piss.

[TheJiminyConjecture]

I know. Unbelievably, the marking isn't the worst part either!

[samlovesdilys]

Really grateful to everyone for their opinions...I do way more than this, even with many years experience...new government plans for ks3, 4 and 5 have meant new schemes of work for all years, plus marking every four points of contact with classes, and everything else....agree it is definitely different dependent upon subject and stage but I don't think there is an 'easier' option...I for one though am going to at least try for a better work/life balance...any suggestions welcome!!!

[LockedOutOfMN]

Have to mark every book every two weeks; I teach 190 students. Every page has to have some proper marking on (not just ticks, but stuff like grammar corrections, helpful, individual comments) and all written homework has to be marked properly. All spelling errors in the book have to be underlined with the correct spelling written in the margin and then the students copy these into a log which also has to be checked. Also we must go back and check their comments on the previous round of marking's feedback and chase up any feedback which hasn't been followed up by the student e.g. write it again or write something like "please re-read my feedback from 24th Oct."

On top of this are the assessments, exams., reading logs, and coursework drafts. I really, really struggle with the marking. I have 5 frees per week, 1 of which is always taken up for a - pointless - meeting and 2 are always taken for cover although admittedly I can often get a bit of work done in a cover lesson, depending on the subject.

When I have to write reports, I also find myself running out of time.

Well done to those teachers in Nottingham; I really hope they can stick to their pledge. Wish my school would introduce something similar.

[DorothyL]

LockedOut that is utterly ridiculous. Where where where is the evidence that this actually improves learning outcomes!?!

[Haggisfish]

That is ridiculous. We have a head of dept who is an ofsted inspector and, refreshingly, have got rid of shit loads of that kind of marking shite as it just doesn't improve outcomes. Ime that sort of ridiculous demand comes in a school that requires improvement and has shit slt.