Every school leader wants to reduce workload; fewer have a system for doing it. The schools that make real progress treat workload like any other priority — measured, owned and reviewed. Here is a practical approach.
1. Measure before you act
Workload complaints are often general; fixes need to be specific. Ask staff, anonymously:
- Which three tasks take the most time for the least benefit?
- What would you stop tomorrow if you could?
- When in the year is workload worst?
The DfE's workload reduction resources include survey and review tools. See our guide to the teacher workload reduction toolkit.
2. Cut the big three
In most schools, the biggest levers are:
- Marking — move to purpose-based feedback. See reducing marking workload without cutting quality.
- Planning — shared curriculum resources instead of everyone planning alone.
- Data — fewer data drops, each tied to a decision.
3. Protect time
- Calendar the year with workload peaks in mind — avoid stacking reports, parents' evenings and data drops.
- Clear email norms: no expectation of replies outside working hours.
- Meetings with a purpose, an agenda and an end time.
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4. Use AI to remove work, not add it
AI can save time on drafting, resource adaptation and admin — but a badly planned rollout adds workload. The rules:
- One approved tool, ideally what you already have — Copilot or Gemini.
- Focused training on the tasks staff actually do. See what CPD teachers need before rolling out AI.
- A shared prompt library for recurring tasks.
- Clear rules in your AI policy.
- No new expectations. If AI saves time, do not fill it with new requirements.
See if every teacher saved two hours for what that time could mean.
5. Look after specific roles
Workload is uneven. SENCOs, early career teachers, middle leaders and support staff each have different pressure points. See SENCO workload reduction strategies.
6. Review and report
- Name a workload lead on SLT.
- Review each term: what stopped, what changed, what staff say.
- Report to governors — workload and wellbeing are part of their oversight. See AI for primary school governors.
A workload calendar check
Lay out the year and mark every deadline that falls on teachers: data drops, reports, parents' evenings, mocks, moderation, performance reviews. Look for clusters. Moving one deadline by two weeks can take pressure off an entire half-term.
Questions governors can ask
- What have we stopped doing this year to reduce workload?
- How do we know workload is improving?
- Which roles are under most pressure?
- How is AI being used, and has it reduced workload in practice?
Signs your workload strategy is working
- Staff can name specific things that have stopped.
- Survey responses on workload improve over the year.
- Fewer late-night emails.
- Staff absence and turnover fall.
Frequently asked questions
How should school leaders manage teacher workload?
Measure it with staff, cut the biggest drivers — marking, planning and data — protect time, use AI carefully, support specific roles and review each term.
What are the biggest causes of teacher workload?
Marking, planning and data are the biggest levers in most schools, along with admin, meetings and email.
Can AI reduce teacher workload?
Yes, when schools use one approved tool, train staff on real tasks, share prompts and do not fill saved time with new expectations.
Should governors monitor workload?
Yes. Staff workload and wellbeing are part of governors' strategic oversight.
Is there a DfE workload toolkit?
Yes. The DfE provides workload reduction resources, including tools for reviewing and reducing workload in schools.