www.eis.org.uk/workload

Campaign Aim: To achieve a real time reduction in the workload burden of members

Key Points Act Now – school branches are urged to hold meetings to discuss the campaign and to identify the important issues in their school Act Together – the potential strength of the campaign lies in taking a collective stance / approach, which avoids members feeling isolated

Early success: The recently published report Tackling Bureaucracy in CfE offers a starting point for schools to tackle workload. It has been agreed to by SG / ES/ COSLA / SQA / ADES et al Use it to trigger action on workload!

The report identifies key drivers of workload and suggests, amongst other approaches, that schools should review areas such as: Forward planning Assessment and reporting Tracking

The report proposes that schools review (and re-negotiate where required): WTAs - to ensure that they are covering the genuine workload pressures SIPs and Action plans - to see if they are genuinely feasible and rigorously costed in terms of time and resources

In order for your workload to reduce something will have to go! Key message: In order for your workload to reduce something will have to go!

Branch Toolkit: Step 1 – Branch Meeting: Identify the particular drivers of excessive workload operating in your school Prioritise 3 or 4 issues to be addressed

Some potential key drivers Excessive planning Tracking and monitoring Reporting formats Students / probationers CfE Implementation Record keeping SIP / Action plans HGIOS – self evaluation National Qualifications Quality assurance PU / CPD demands Discipline Assessment Micro management

Branch Toolkit: Step 2 – Branch Meeting: What solutions are required to address the identified workload drivers i.e. what needs to happen to control the issue?

Branch level strategies: Use CfE Tackling Bureaucracy report to revisit SIP and Action plans – seeking deletion or suspension of certain items Identify school initiatives which need to be scaled back or delayed – establish fewer priorities

Branch level strategies: Seek changes to key drivers e.g. reduce forward planning practice seek a reduction in tracking activity remove unnecessary paperwork such as auditing for auditing’s sake

Branch level strategies: Raise Council wide items with local EIS secretary with a view to LNCT discussion Implement HQ advice in agreed areas e.g. cover arrangements; contractual hours; professional update

Desired Outcomes: Reduction in workload achieved Revised arrangements in place Teacher voice listened to in school