Create an action plan to reduce workload
Example
School details
School name: Notre Dame High School
Location: Norwich
Phase: Secondary
Number of pupils: 1400
Contact details: Email Headteacher Neil Cully at NCully@ndhs.org.uk
Download the example
Background from Neil Cully, Headteacher
Notre Dame High School created a wellbeing committee that issued a workload survey to its staff. They used the results to create an action plan which focuses on improving staff wellbeing and reducing workload.
The action plan outlines the key areas of focus, the actions that need to be taken, what success looks like and the timescale for actions to be taken.
Creating an action plan
When you create your action plan, Notre Dame High School advise the following:
Identify the action plan’s objectives
Identify one, or at most two, things that you are going to do to help issues prioritised from the workload survey.
Decide your actions
Work out what you are going to do to reach your objectives.
Determine your success criteria
Determine how you will know those actions have been achieved, and that you have succeeded.
Decide a time scale for completion of actions
Decide how long you think the above will take you. Note any important milestones to include if the timescale is longer, for example, over the whole year.
Work out what resources you will need
Decide what additional support you will need to achieve the objectives. For example, additional time for staff to research new ideas or funding for training.
Decide who is responsible for monitoring progress
This could be one person or group. For example, your senior leadership team or wellbeing committee.
Evaluate and decide any further outcomes
When you have completed the actions on your plan, evaluate how they went. For example, re-run the workload survey you used to identify the initial issues. This evaluation and any further actions should be discussed and agreed with all staff.
Consider these questions when creating an action plan
Notre Dame High School considered the following questions when creating their action plan:
- who are we doing this for?
- will it improve the quality of teaching?
- what impact will it have on students?
- can we do this in a more efficient and effective way?
Share this resource
Share your ideas
You can help other school leaders by sharing what has worked in your school.
Help improve our service
Your feedback will help us improve our service on workload and wellbeing for all school staff.