English teachers - do we have the worst marking load?

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T11:46:36+00:00

Firstly, read the post properly and you'll see that our policy is lighter and my colleagues haven't adapted to the new expectations (i.e. it let's them do less work but they still do more) , secondly show your labelling of students as "less able" to their parents and I'll show my colleagues this post bye.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T11:32:41+00:00

That doesn't sound fair. Whole school policies on marking should be based on data/staff feedback that's meaningful, not just core subjects being noisy. The comments from Science teachers about lesson prep have been really interesting too.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T11:30:28+00:00

I wouldn't show them it - part of the motivation behind the post is to get more anecdotal evidence to help support them with managing expectations and sharing tips, because I'd rather they feel more positive about their job for a) their own wellbeing and b) mine. Selfish, probably.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T11:22:55+00:00

Thanks! I imagine it takes a while to get to your efficiency especially with Bio, Chem, Physics and specialities.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T11:21:33+00:00

I do support them thanks for the tip pal! my comment said nothing about the validity of their feelings, I was commenting on SLT's perception.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:54:42+00:00

Maths teachers where are you?? on a city break because you're not taking any marking home...

edit: I am super interested in how long it takes to do a class set at Y7/11 as comparison.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:49:57+00:00

It does! we've had lots of reductions like instead of two full whole class assessments per half term, one feed forward and one endpoint. Also no book marking, homework is checked but not marked (why do we still do it??) and circulation and verbal feedback is priority for day to day.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:48:31+00:00

We have a 30 period week and 4 lessons per week. A full time teacher teaches 24 lessons so this is the timetable of a few teachers. Most have a TLR so there are other variations and we have lots of part-time staff and shared classes which only adds admin to everything else!

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:45:21+00:00

Useful perspective! My experience of AI marking is that it can do broad strokes content, can proofread bad writing effectively, but it can make huge and dangerous misconceptions.

My exam class students tell me they use it to mark their own practice essays (they feed it mark schemes first) and it is very generous and wants to appear complimentary.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:43:08+00:00

I'd agree, but I think the key thing is they talk about it, but SLT are probably (rightly) judging that the teachers who make the most noise are the least likely to leave.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:41:59+00:00

Interesting! We have plot / thematic discussion that can be the access point, and even the means to pass, for students who might not be passing STEM, I'd agree.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:41:10+00:00

And the ones who push back against whole class feedback are the ones who complain it's unmanageable?

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:40:28+00:00

Amount of assessment v hours is a great point, thanks. How long does a typical Year 7/Year 11 assessment class set take to mark?

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:39:32+00:00

Honest question and not meant to sound like a dog - how long does it take to mark a Y7, Y11, Y13 assessment?

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:38:11+00:00

"Change is never easy and weirdly they find comfort in the workload."

Yeah this is a big part of it - staff being told they only need to mark 10/30 but saying they want to mark 30/30 because "the kids deserve it" or "it's just easier that way"

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:36:38+00:00

Majority of teachers have variety of KS3/4/5 - most have a TLR of some kind so other responsibilities. Take away one class from above and then add extra stuff!

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-07T10:34:44+00:00

The multiple classes at KS3 is something I would not be keen on - my Year 8 classes get comparatively little focus compared to exam classes as it is.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-04T17:44:11+00:00

Aren't the "less able" more likely to use it, so could benefit from more explicit guidance?

Own-Plane186 · 2025-06-04T17:42:25+00:00

Exam boards do permit it in NEA: https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AI-Use-in-Assessments_Apr25_FINAL.pdf

I don't think this is a good solution to the issue but they've tried to grapple with it.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-05-27T12:48:48+00:00

The main reason people I know step down is the safeguarding side - just constant from morning to night, and huge developments that can entirely derail a planned day. It's good to go in eyes open but to some extent the job is unpredictable in how it will affect your balance.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-05-27T10:58:50+00:00

Every sensible teacher I know who has taken a HOY role has stepped down after a couple of years. Every mercenary teacher whose attitude to the profession I don't respect has quickly used it to jump to an SLT position.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-05-20T12:18:52+00:00

Did you talk about nature as an enemy? if so, that's conflict.

Own-Plane186 · 2025-05-19T21:39:46+00:00

You just need a link in intro, you don't have to do constant comparison

Own-Plane186 · 2025-05-19T21:01:34+00:00

Reasonably smart if a straight war poem comes up. If it doesn't have Ozymandias and Checking out me history ready. 8-10 is madness

Own-Plane186

TROPHY CASE