Teacher workload is an ongoing concern. This insight contains some key ideas for anyone looking to reduce teacher stress and protect staff wellbeing in schools. How teachers feel is likely to affect their performance and, in turn, the performance of the pupils they teach.

What can you do to help yourself?

1. Think positively - Is there something good to take from this present situation? See crisis or change as a positive challenge to overcome. Remind yourself you are on a journey and think of the outcome and previous successes.
2. Prioritise rest - a good night's sleep is essential to ‘recharge’.
3. Boundaries - on what is possible - If those around you are placing unrealistic demands or asking too much of you, be assertive and say NO.
4. Acceptance - Ongoing changes and demands are part of working in education, accept that you can’t change the education system.
5. Networking - Spend time with supportive positive colleagues and with them how you are feeling and the challenges being faced.
6. Balance - Make sure there is a balance between routine and necessary and pleasurable tasks.
7. Reflection - Build in some quality time for you, in a space away from school to think.
8. Use a coach - Find someone who understands your role and the pressures you face, to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and help prompt solutions.
9. Perspective - Take control of you role and the tasks you have to do rather than being involved in things that you have no control over.
10. Perfection - Making mistakes is part of life, as that is how we learn.. Keep going and don’t be discouraged by ‘getting things wrong’. When you are less critical of yourself, that will impact on your feeling towards others.

Leaders need to closely examine all aspects of school life and be ruthless about those things that have the greatest impact in order to keep workload under control and support staff wellbeing. It is part of their role to help identify, discuss and try to resolve stressors e.g. demands (workload, timetable, environment), control (how much say do they have?), support (encouragement, praise and resources), relationships, role and managing change.

Using SchooliP to establish clear objectives, to record discussions, regular and constructive feedback and areas for development all contribute to a healthy environment where teachers feel listened to, valued and supported.