Teacher workload is undeniably nuts, and I'm not promising miracles here. But, knowing that our workload isn't going to change anytime soon, what changes can we make to work smarter, not harder? One simple way to get out of work on time and make sure you're not taking work home is to use your free lessons at school strategically.
In our latest Teacher Talk survey on Instagram, 88% of you said you’d rather work more at school if it means you take no work home at the end of each day. But, only 6% of you are consistently planning your free lessons.
Side note: 55% of you are spending this time either chatting to colleagues or sitting alone and disassociating - as a known procrastinator, there's absolutely no judgement here!
Check out these 5 productivity strategies to optimise your free lessons and let us know how you go!
1. Prioritise must-dos
Write out only 3 ‘must-do’ priorities into the free lesson space of your planner. Everything else goes into your weekly to-do list.
Sweller's (1988) Cognitive Load Theory explains that our working memory has a limited capacity, and trying to tackle too many tasks at once can overwhelm it, reducing productivity.
By focusing on a small number of high-priority tasks, you conserve mental energy, stay focused, and accomplish more effectively.
2. Time-block tasks
If you struggle to prioritise or focus in your frees, time-blocking can help. This is a productivity method where you assign specific blocks of time to specific tasks.
This can help you manage workload more effectively by minimising task-switching, a phenomenon shown to decrease productivity by up to 40% (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Setting dedicated times for tasks also reduces procrastination and enhances goal attainment by creating clear boundaries for work (Britton & Tesser, 1991).
I like to use colours to highlight my tasks according to the time they’ll take (green = ~5 mins, blue = 15-30 mins, yellow = >30 mins)
3. Chunk large/complex tasks
Struggling to get all of your marking/report-writing done in one go? Try chunking—breaking your to-do list into smaller, manageable groups.
Research shows this helps reduce cognitive load and boosts productivity by making things easier to remember and tackle (Miller, 1956).
For example, I like to chunk my SAC and exam marking by using bulldog or paper clips to bundle them into groups of 5. I then mark one bundle at a time.
4. Use a Pomodoro
Anyone who’s shared an office with me knows how much I LOVE using a Pomodoro. It’s a timer that breaks your work into 25-minute intervals, followed by a 5-minute break.
The name Pomodoro comes from the Italian word for "tomato" and is inspired by the kitchen timer used by Francesco Cirillo during uni.
Studies show it can reduce procrastination and improve productivity by keeping you in the zone and allowing your brain to recharge (Cirillo, 2006; Bailey & Kurland, 2002).
There are boat-load of great Pomodoro timers on YouTube, including Harry Potter-themed ones (you’re welcome!).
5. Body-double with a friend/colleague
Body-doubling is when you work alongside someone else—either in person or virtually—to boost focus and accountability.
Having someone else present can help reduce distractions and keep you motivated, making it easier to get things done.
This technique taps into social facilitation, where tasks are often completed more efficiently in the presence of others (Harkins & Petty, 1982; Zentall, 2005). It’s especially helpful for those who struggle with motivation, task initiation, or attention difficulties, like ADHD.