I wrote my masters dissertation on teacher workload, and discovered that our feelings around workload are more about the perceived importance of the work, and the way in which the work is initiated (dictated to, working with, initiated by self) than it is about volume of work 1/4

Our motivation towards work is impacted by these things, and how we feel about the amount that we can manage is massively linked to that motivation. If I tell you to write a 5 page report on something you don’t see as important, and I can’t justify needing, it will feel like 2/4

More work than if you choose to write a 20 page document on the great impact that a strategy you have researched and implemented is having. Knowing our work has purpose and starting that work in a positive frame of mind does huge things to our perception of our workload. 3/4

I say that to say this, when we return to a situation where all children are physically back at school, it is crucially important that school leaders are cognisant of workload & wellbeing. It’s crucial for teachers and it’s crucial for students. Let’s get it right! 4/4