40 ways we minimise workload 

...and maximise effectiveness

Time, teaching and flexibility

1. A teaching timetable below the national average, with a maximum 80% load.
2. A genuine two-week October half term within a full 13-week annual holiday entitlement.
3. Flexible and part-time working supported wherever possible.
4. Additional PPA time for colleagues with leadership responsibility.

Professional development that respects time

5. CPD that is bespoke, purposeful and relevant to classroom practice.
6. CPD planned in advance so staff can prepare and manage their time.

Feedback, marking and classroom practice

7. A sensible feedback approach that removes unnecessary marking.
8. Strong behaviour systems with rapid leadership support when needed.
9. Centralised detentions, including late sanctions, led by senior staff.
10. A homework setting system that can be centralised for years 7–11.
11. Senior leaders teaching alongside staff, including the Principal.

Duties, autonomy and professional trust

12. Limited duty expectations, typically one break duty per week. Free lunch when you volunteer for a lunch duty.
13. Professional autonomy within clear shared values and strategy.
14. Fair, collaborative performance management with expected annual progression.
15. Low-stakes drop-ins rooted in professional curiosity, never grading.
16. Department-led work scrutiny focused on improving learning.
17. Swift, decisive action when issues arise.

Boundaries that protect wellbeing

18. Clear encouragement not to engage with emails in evenings or weekends.
19. Recognition of discretionary effort without glorifying excessive hours.
20. Full compliance with directed-time expectations (1265).
21. Cover supervisors to take the brunt of cover from staff

Collaboration, benefits and practical support

22. Departmental resource sharing and collaborative planning.
23. Financial and wellbeing benefits including bonus, loans and healthcare.
24. Discretionary leave supported in exceptional circumstances.
25. An AI policy that promotes intelligent AI use by all, to reduce workload and enhance effectiveness.

Data, reporting and administration

26. Minimal data collection points across the year.
27. Streamlined parental communication with limited reports and parents’ evenings.
28. Centralised data analysis to reduce middle-leader workload.
29. No requirement for formal written lesson plans.
30. Strong administrative support for communication and organisation: all letters and messages checked, addressed, printed, and distributed for staff centrally.
31. On-site technical support available throughout the day.
32. Meetings focused on strategy, purposeful and ending on time.

Culture, clarity and leadership

33. Careful control of initiative overload and “mission creep.”
34. Leadership forums that amplify middle-leader voice and development.
35. A coaching culture that builds skill, confidence and professional agency.
36. Everyday wellbeing gestures that make staff feel valued.
37. A single whole-school SEF with limited, focused review cycles.
38. A clearly published annual calendar to support planning.
39. Dedicated pastoral capacity to resolve student issues quickly.
40. Honest, open dialogue with leadership and genuine responsiveness to staff feedback. No elephants in the room. Regular opportunities given to staff to give critical feedback to the Principal about what’s going well and what is not. We talk about and acknowledge challenges and where we can do better.