As the summer term reaches its busiest point, teachers across the country are immersed in one of the most time-intensive tasks of the academic year: writing end of year reports for families.
Traditionally, this process demands significant time – around 30 hours per class, one hour per child to write bespoke comments across core subjects including maths, reading, writing and science.
Recognising the impact this places on staff, Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust has taken proactive steps to reduce workload while maintaining the high standards families expect. The introduction of adaptable feedback comments has transformed how reports have been written across its primary academies this year.
This new approach offers a strong foundation that teachers then use to personalise, significantly cutting down on writing time while preserving the individualised nature and quality of each report.
Across the Trust’s primary academies, the impact has been significant.
According to internal analysis, teachers across the Trust would spend an average of 30 hours each writing reports, equating to 60 hours per year group. In a typical two-form entry school, this totals 420 hours of teacher time, or 52.5 full working days. Scaled across all primary academies in the Trust, this amounts to 2,940 hours, the equivalent of 367.5 full working days – a whole year!
Following the introduction of the report comment banks, this time has been reduced to 10 hours per teacher a time saving of 66%, which can now be redirected to where it matters most: teaching, pupil support and staff wellbeing.
Lady Kirsty Grundy, Director of Primary Education at Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust and Executive Principal at Shireland Technology Primary, said: “Time is one of the most valuable resources we can give our staff and it’s central to their wellbeing.”
“The reports produced are still personalised and purposeful, but by continuing to introduce small but purposeful changes like this, we’re strengthening a culture that values teachers, reduces pressure and gives our staff the space to do what they do best. When workload is more manageable, wellbeing improves, and we see that reflected in staff morale, energy and focus. The positive impact is already clear in the feedback we’ve received and ultimately, it’s our children who benefit most.”
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy across the Trust to reduce unnecessary workload while maintaining staff wellbeing as a central focus. It demonstrates the Trust’s ongoing commitment to supporting its workforce and ensuring each school is a place where staff can work, grow and thrive in their careers.
At a time when workload is one of the most pressing challenges in teacher recruitment and retention, Shrieland Collegiate Academy Trust is proud to lead with practical, meaningful change.
For those seeking to join a forward-thinking Trust that values staff time and prioritises wellbeing, teaching opportunities are available via the Trust’s website.
