Supporting early career teachers to reduce workload through whole-class marking and feedback strategies
Luke Brewer
Luke provided training to trainee and newly qualified teachers about effective marking and feedback strategies, with a specific focus on reducing workload as well as maximising the impact on pupils’ learning. In a series of action research cycles, Luke adapted each subsequent training session on the basis of feedback from the different groups of beginning and early career teachers. Luke also invited the participants to complete a logbook that would allow him to track the implementation of ideas from the training and to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies.
Findings were positive, with 95% of the participants in the training viewing the strategies as relevant; and 92% reporting that their use had a notable impact on their workload. They found ‘whole-class marking and feedback’ the most useful strategy. On average the participants saved 2-3 hours per week. The participants recommended that the training be provided as early as possible within their respective programmes.