Mark as you go in lessons. I never let children talk to me about thief work unless I have marking pens in hand. Scan, mark, move on. Keep doing this all lesson and have TA do the same. It’s actually much more effective for kids having instant feedback.
Have TA calculate answers in maths while you do the input. Can both circulate with answers or share with kids at end of lesson to self mark.
Self and peer assess once per week. This takes lesson time too so less planning.
Re-use old planning. Only fill in bare minimum on lesson plans.
Have TA copy and trim all worksheets.
Make sure kids are self-sufficient for 20 minutes at end of each day (playing class game or something) while you set up for next day.
Any incentives, things you’ve been asked to do, wait to be chased as they often don’t follow through. Any paper work been asked to do keep next to recycling bin and push in if been there more than half a term.
Take a few sick days when report time comes around. I always do this.
Plan cross curricular lessons to free up curriculum time so you’re not constantly frantically trying to get work done in class. Produce less, good quality work.
Do planning in the holidays. So worth it for me to sit in bed for a day and turn out all science & curriculum plans for the half term including ppts, worksheets etc. then PPA is only core subjects.
Be smart about displays. If you’re allowed to keep the same up all year, do that, just make it really good. If you have to change plan in drop down days or at least a few afternoons where everything gets done including mounting and putting up etc.
Don’t split hairs over assessments. Go with your gut and make it quick. Only end of year writing assessments need to be totally accurate in Y6.
Say no to boosters after school. It’s too much and you need to have time to plan good quality lessons and be present the next day.