Commenting on the passing of Motion 41 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Workload is the main driver for teachers and leaders leaving the profession. Workload is impacting morale and leading to recruitment and retention concerns in the profession as annual targets set by the government are missed year after year. It is abundantly clear that teacher workload remains unsustainably high and intensive. The longer government lets this continue, the greater the risks posed to young people’s education.
“The steps that the Department for Education has taken towards reducing teacher workload are necessary but not sufficient. They have not resulted in lasting improvements as they have not addressed the main drivers of the workload crisis. If the DfE is serious about teacher workload and wellbeing, it should listen to NEU members and reform the current accountability regime, stopping the practices it drives in data, planning and marking. Such sensible measures, including guaranteeing PPA time, reinstating guidance to limit time spent on cover and ensuring teachers don’t undertake administrative tasks, will reduce teacher workload to more manageable levels, increase morale, improve teacher professionalism and aid retention.
“The NEU will continue putting pressure on the STRB to extend its remit to include workload and we will intensify our campaign to achieve the reductions needed.”
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2023-069-NEU