As we embark on this academic year, we are delighted to announce the launch of our customer awards programme! This initiative recognises the incredible work taking place in schools across the country. Each month, we will highlight the top 10 schools in various categories based on our national survey data from the previous academic year.

This month, we’re thrilled to present the finalists for our Staff Workload Balance Award, part of our Staff Experience and Wellbeing Survey. These schools excel in managing teacher workload—a notoriously challenging area that many educators cite as a primary reason for resignation.

The Importance of Teacher Workload Balance

Teacher workload consistently ranks as one of the lowest modules across our data set, linking directly to staff retention and overall wellbeing. We recognise the urgent need to understand what school leaders are doing to support their teams in balancing teacher workloads. Our journey involves engaging in conversations about the practical steps that school and trust leaders are taking to combat the ongoing teacher workload crisis.

To further mark this special occasion, here’s a testimonial from Ernest Jenavs, our CEO:

"The commitment shown by schools in managing staff workload is truly inspiring. The finalists of the Staff Workload Balance Award have set a new standard for prioritising staff wellbeing and achieving a balanced work environment. Your efforts are a testament to what can be accomplished with dedication and innovative practices."

The Staff Workload Balance Award showcases schools that have implemented innovative practices to prioritise staff wellbeing and effectively manage teacher workload. This award is not just about recognising success; it serves as a guide based on our national data from the 2023/24 academic year, highlighting the practices and impacts around teacher workload.

Meet the Top 10 Finalists

We are proud to announce the following top 10 finalists for the Staff Workload Balance Award (in alphabetical order):

• Athena Learning Trust - Atlantic Academy and Bideford College
• The Co-Operative Academies Trust - Co-op Academy Woodslee
• Embark Federation - Kilburn Junior School
• Engage Enrich Excel Academies - Ravenscote Junior School
• Futura Learning Partnership - Cheddar Grove Primary School
• Infinity Academies Trust - St Nicholas CE Primary Academy
• Red Kite Learning Trust - Temple Learning Academy
• SEARCH Education Trust - Heartlands High School
• The Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust - Marine Academy Plymouth (Primary and Secondary)
• Trinity Multi-Academy Trust - Trinity Academy Leeds

Congratulations to all our finalists! Your achievements in managing teacher workload inspire others in the education sector.

A Collaborative Approach to Best Practices

We look forward to collaborating with these finalists to create a comprehensive guide of best practices for balancing teacher workload. This downloadable resource will examine how these leaders have addressed workload challenges and achieved high results. It will be shared with the wider community in the coming months, supporting continuous improvement and highlighting the fantastic work being done to prioritise staff wellbeing.

Together, let’s foster an environment where everyone can thrive and ensure that teacher workload is manageable for all!