Starting Out Guide For Newly Qualified and Trainee Teachers

Looking after yourself

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Find your pressure points

Schools can be pressurised places at the best of times. But you may find some times in the school year are particularly hectic, when you may have to contend with report writing or marking coursework in addition to your usual workload. And if you’re involved in running extra-curricular activities, such as drama or sport, you may find yourself rushed off your feet in the run up to the end of term production or school sports day.

Being aware of potential ‘pressure points’ can help you plan ahead, so you don’t become overloaded. At the beginning of the school year, spend a couple of hours filling in your diary.

Make a note of any important deadlines, such as reports and coursework marking and aim to start at least three to four weeks before each deadline.

Setting yourself manageable daily or weekly targets is an effective way to ensure big projects, such as writing reports or coursework marking get completed on time. It will also help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

Wherever your pressure point lies, make sure you plan well ahead to avoid feeling overloaded later.

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6 teachers have added to this guide



  1. Jan 6th, 2009

    clare said:

    I talk things through with a trusted colleague. As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. My head feels much lighter afterwards.



  2. Jan 6th, 2009

    daffyd said:

    My pressure point is always report writing. As a PE teacher I see more children than many of my colleagues and often have to write hundreds of reports. I left it so late to start one year, that I nearly went mad trying to finish them all. Now I set myself 10 per day in the weeks leading up to the deadline, which doesn’t feel so arduous.



  3. Jan 6th, 2009

    dalveer said:

    During my interview, the head kept making a fuss about the fact I played the trumpet, which I mentioned on my application form.

    He asked me if I’d be interested in running the school orchestra, as the head of music was very busy. I said I might be. But when I was offered the job, I decided I’d needed to concentrate on my teaching for the first year.

    The head kept trying to persuade me, but I stood my ground, saying I’d be happy to do it the following year – which I did. I really enjoy running the orchestra, but it’s quite a big commitment and I still think it would have been too much in my first year.



  4. Jan 6th, 2009

    ewan said:

    In busy times, like report writing or during the SATS preparation, I try to think of ways to ease my marking load. I build some opportunities into my lessons for students to mark their own work, peer mark or set tasks that can be assessed with verbal feedback. The children benefit too, as they love getting instant feedback!



  5. Jan 6th, 2009

    james said:

    Invest in a paper shredder, then write it all down. Get everything that’s bothering you about colleagues, senior staff or even pupils down on paper, then shred it. This has the effect of shredding the bad day – very cathartic.



  6. Jan 6th, 2009

    keira said:

    I order a grande latte at my favourite café! At least twice a week, a group of us go out for coffee together after school. It’s a great opportunity to get things off your chest. It’s reassuring to know other people are having problems and we usually end up laughing about them, which helps get things into perspective.

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