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NASUWT comments on the publication of the Teachers’ Workload Diary Survey

NASUWT comments on the publication of the Teachers’ Workload Diary Survey

Commenting on the publication of the Teachers' Workload Diary Survey 2013, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, said:


“These figures vindicate why the NASUWT lodged a trade dispute on workload with the Coalition Government in 2011.

“On this Government’s watch, today’s Workload Diary Survey demonstrates a dramatic overall increase in working hours since 2010.

“These figures have come as no surprise to the NASUWT. They confirm the evidence that the NASUWT has presented to the Coalition Government as a result of our annual Big Question survey and the ComRes teacher wellbeing survey.

“The Workload Diary Survey shows that the often cited claim of teachers enjoying long holidays and clocking off at 3.30pm is a myth. In this context it is ironic that the DfE has chosen to publish this survey on the TUC’s Work Your Proper Hours Day. 

“All of the evidence demonstrates that the problem of excessive workload and working hours of teachers needs to be urgently responded to by the Secretary of State.

“The Secretary of State has established a programme of talks on implementation of government policy which has accepted the NASUWT’s representations that excessive workload is directly related to implementation of government policy and therefore needs to be high on the agenda.

“Teachers are dedicated and committed professionals who want to do their best for the children and young people they teach.

“However, these figures show that they are being scandalously exploited and this excessive workload will have a detrimental impact on the quality of education provided to children and young people.

“It is absolutely clear that these appalling figures would have been even worse if the NASUWT had not had action short of strike instructions in place which seek to provide some protection for teachers from the excessive demands being made on them.

“Today’s publication by the DfE demonstrates the urgent need for the Secretary of State to resolve the NASUWT’s trade dispute and address the looming crisis in teacher recruitment and retention which is being fuelled by excessive workload. “
 



Notes to editors

The NASUWT’s annual Big Question survey 2013 found that:


·         54% of teachers had considered leaving the teaching profession in the past 12 months (49% in the 2012 survey, 45% in 2011). 


·         Workload was the top concern of 78%  of teachers (75% in 2012, 74% 2011);


·         The top five generators of excessive workload were inspection 45% (36% in 2012, 38% 2011); admin 36% (34% in 2012, 37% 2011); classroom observation 33% (not in top 5 in 2011 or 2012); lesson planning 32% (30% in 2012, 31% 2011); and teacher assessment systems 31% (28% in 2012, not in top 5 in 2011).


The Big Question 2013 asked teachers a range of questions on key issues, including pay, pensions, job satisfaction and wellbeing. Over 14,000 teachers responded.

Lena Davies
Press and Media Officer
NASUWT
0121 457 6250 / 07867 392746
lena.davies@mail.nasuwt.org.uk