Recommendation 63

HM Government · verbatim extract Acknowledged

We have recently completed a user research project to update and improve the digital experience of users when engaging with the resources (previously accessed through the School Workload Reduction Toolkit). Based on feedback from users we have developed and launched a new service Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff with improved navigability, speed of access to resources and links to other helpful information. The service contains a range of supportive resources for schools to review and reduce workload, and improve staff wellbeing. Working closely with schools and trusts, we will continue to add new resources to the service and to promote it to ensure it remains a helpful, relevant and impactful resource to support schools and trusts with their workload reduction. The government recognises that workload is one of the biggest drivers for teachers and leaders leaving the profession and is driven by a range of complex and systemic drivers at national and local level with no single solution. The number of pupils experiencing complex barriers to learning has increased and this has workload implications, such as in adapting teaching, administrative tasks and wider social support to children and their families. We have made good progress in implementing the Workload Reduction Taskforce’s initial recommendations which were published in January 2024, including removing the requirement for schools to use Performance Related Pay. The government has also committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, increasing access to early support for pupils to address problems before they escalate. The Curriculum and Assessment Review launched in July, will among other things, seek to ensure that the curriculum and assessment system does not place undue burdens on education staff and, wherever possible, supports manageable and sustainable workloads for teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders. We are supporting schools to use technology effectively to help reduce workload including investment in reliable and safe technology infrastructure, harnessing the safe use of artificial intelligence and releasing a single sign-on standalone service (‘DfE Connect’) which aims to streamline the guidance and mandatory tasks school leaders and school business professionals can access on Gov.uk.