Time is one of the most precious - and scarce - resources in schools. Protecting it is essential for maintaining energy and focus.    

Whether it’s ensuring PPA time is genuinely protected, exploring flexible working options, or carving out meeting-free zones, small structural shifts can have a big impact. These structures may need to flex and move with the life of the school and it is clear that school budget has an impact here but these areas should be considered as fundamental to support leaders and staff to have sufficient time to plan, to think and to breathe.     

PPA time should be protected under teacher’s terms and conditions – teachers should not be expected to cover for others during their PPA time and should not be interrupted. The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document was amended a few years ago to indicate to school leaders that it is ok for it to also be undertaken away from the school site. For leaders, the equivalent here is ensuring that you have sufficient time and space to think and work strategically, away from operational interruptions. 

Flexible working arrangements can make a big difference, supporting staff through different life stages and challenges. Flexible working may be for longer term changes such as alternative hours or work patterns; or can be more ad hoc, needing to start later or working from home on the odd occasion. Even small and ad hoc adjustments can make a big difference. All requests for flexible working need to be appropriately considered with genuine open thinking and dialogue about the art of the possible.  

Meeting schedules in schools can take up a lot of the time available outside of the classroom. Taking time to really thoughtfully consider the school calendar, thinking about what you actually need to meet about, considering other ways of dealing with tasks, creating meeting-free spaces, and/or enable realistic deadlines for new and emerging work can reduce unnecessary pressure. 

These aren’t about lowering standards or reducing ambition. They’re about creating the conditions in which people can do their best work and sustain it - thriving over time. They are practical ways to reduce the likelihood of burnout.