Work/life Balance by @thatboycanteach

Name: None given
Twitter: @thatboycanteach
Sector:  Primary
Subject: All subjects
Position: Assistant Vice Principal
5 Bits of Advice About: Work/life balance

1. Prioritise – what really needs doing and what can wait? Concentrate on doing one or two things well on any given day – the ones that obviously need doing soonest.
2. Organise – make time by planning ahead. For example, only set written work if you know you have time to mark it.
3. Maximise – make the most of the time you’ve got. Using those little bits of time in the day, even just to make one phone call or mark a couple of books, is worth doing.
4. Collaborate – nurture a good working relationship with other teachers. Ask for help if you need it and see if anyone else has pre-prepared lesson ideas or resources.
5. Rest – productivity relies on rest. At the same time as planning ahead, you should also think about using the natural breaks – and make the most of them.

Work/life Balance by Anonymous

Name: Anonymous
Twitter: None given
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: English
Position: Teacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Work/life balance

1. Block out time every single week, and every single holiday, when you are NOT going to work. Stick to it.
2. Eat properly (healthily); sleep properly; exercise.
3. Remember your friends and family. They will soon get bored of “I can’t because I have to work,” so be proactive: plan time with them around what works for you.
4. Do not rush into extra responsibilities or promotions. Learn how to do the basics really well, and efficiently, before you commit time to extras.
5. Learn how to say ‘no’ positively & when to ask for help: you will need both. Using them allows you to manage your capabilities & needs well.

Time Management by @pjmerrell

Name: PJ Merrell
Twitter: @pjmerrell
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: English
Position: Head of Sixth Form
5 Bits of Advice About: Time management

1. Your work will never be ‘finished’. Set a clear end time and stick to it.
2. No one ever died because the books were not marked over the weekend.
3. There is no prize for being first into school and last out.
4. Don’t spend more time writing on their work than they did.
5. Emails are a plague. Don’t have your work emails on your mobile phone.

Workload by @StuartLock

Name: Stuart Lock
Twitter: @StuartLock
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: Maths
Position: Headteacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Workload

1. Know your calendar, keep a diary, and don’t let deadlines build up. This seems obvious, but is so often a cause of issues.
2. Share lesson plans. You don’t need to plan everything from scratch.
3. Ask for help, especially when things seem unreasonable. You’ll get an idea of what is really important.
4. Consider the benefits and opportunity cost of extensive marking.
5. Don’t volunteer for loads of extra things as a result of your first term’s enthusiasm. Determine if you have space in your established working hours first.

Time Management by @MissDCox

Name: Dawn Cox
Twitter: @MissDCox
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: None given
Position: Head of Department
5 Bits of Advice About: Time management

1. Write lists. For today/this week/beyond.
2. Plan specifically what on your list you will do in your PPA/non-contact time.
3. Don’t spend time in the staff room talking about how you don’t have enough time.
4. Plan to speed mark at break/lunch/gaps in day. Little and often stops build-up of marking.
5. Tell someone if you’re struggling with workload. They probably have time saving ideas appropriate for your school/day.