The workload group
was established in March 2018 as a result of the commitment of HEARTS Academy Trust to reduce workload pressures for all staff. The group was amalgamated with the well-being group in September 2019.
Culture -
Our values of happiness, self-esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, truth and service are fundamental to our workload and well-being charter. If we follow and live these, our working environment and workload will be a priority for all staff.
HEARTS Academy Trust expectations are for:
- Staff to be Honest with line managers when they are struggling;
- Leaders to be Responsible, act and speak out when they feel staff workload is unreasonable;
- All staff to look out for their colleagues and Support each other when times are busy, and
- Leaders to listen to staff’s workload concerns.
The HEARTS four-day face-to-face teaching week - previously known as the 80:20 Model
HEARTS Academy trust is unique in its commitment to offering a "bespoke" approach to a typical teaching week and developed the "four-day face-to-face model whereby all teachers in the trust receive 20% non-contact time. This goes above and beyond the national entitlement of 10% PPA.
In 2021/2022 the trust rolled out a unique and bespoke offering by allocating a further 10% dedicated leadership time, which focuses on reducing workload in a model that is pupil/standards focused.
During 2022/2023, HEARTS Academy Trust surveyed teaching staff to better understand the value of the four-day face-to-face teaching week, and the impact this has on our pupil outcomes and staff wellbeing
What our colleagues said:
“80:20 has allowed me to have time to focus on my subject-led role”
“As MHFAC for children, it also gives me time to see children who need extra support”
“I have been able to give one-to-one interventions to children in my class as well as small group activities for example maths games"
The well-being Group was formed to develop, deliver, evaluate and sustain a well-being programme dedicated to our employee’s overall health and well-being. The group strives to coordinate well-being events every term. To promote a work-life balance both in and outside of work. The group works diligently to promote the well-being of all staff, in every role, valuing all members of the HEARTS team. Whilst recognising that staff have pressures at work and home, the group aims to introduce measures that will reduce work stressors and make work a more satisfying experience.
Members of the well-being groups include our CEO, Debbie Rogan (chair) and one representative from each school and the central team who are responsible for disseminating information and collaborating with school staff.
Members meet termly (in school meeting feedback and discussions – half termly).
In our 2023 staff survey results, 90% of teachers said:
"The model has helped me to be a better teacher/leader, therefore benefitting
the children and the school”
“The model has had a positive effect on my well-being and prevented
me from becoming overwhelmed”
HEARTS Academy Trust utilises information and assistance provided by external sources to ensure that workload and well-being are at the forefront of our minds, including the DfE School workload reduction toolkit
Our commitment is further enhanced via the HEARTS Academy Trust workload and well-being charter