The start of your teaching career is exciting (full of potential, possibility and a healthy dose of nerves) however, managing your workload can feel overwhelming. At Mulberry College of Teaching (MCoT), we believe it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right strategies and support, beginning teachers can build sustainable habits that protect their wellbeing while setting them up for long-term success.

We asked our  first cohort of Beginning Teachers (BTs) to share their top tips for managing workload and here is what they had to say:

Start organised. Stay organised

It might sound simple, but nearly every BT we spoke to agreed: getting organised early makes everything else easier. That means setting up clear digital folders with logical file names, saving lesson plans and observations regularly and staying on top of your admin from the start.

“Stay organised – keep up with your admin (little and often is best!)”

“Complete your reflective journals, upload your observation sheets as you go along.”

Building this habit doesn’t just reduce stress, it gives you more headspace to focus on your teaching.

Plan your planning time

Planning lessons is a big part of teaching, but it doesn’t need to eat up your evenings. Many BTs told us that booking in specific tasks for their allocated planning time helped them work more efficiently and avoid last-minute scrambles.

“Plan ahead what you will be doing during your timetabled planning time.”

This kind of forward-thinking helps you stay in control and make space for the unexpected (which is bound to happen in schools).

Don’t go it alone

You’re not expected to know everything. That’s why mentorship, collaboration, and community are at the heart of the MCoT programme. Knowing when (and how) to ask for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

“Delegate tasks; ask for help – it’s okay not to know everything!”

There’s no badge of honour in burnout. Sharing the load helps you learn faster and stay resilient.

Keep it simple. Build in rest.

Teaching is demanding (and rewarding) work. To look after your health and wellbeing, don’t try to do it all. Focus on what matters, take breaks, and give yourself permission to rest. Our BTs know the importance of this.

“Prioritise, keep it simple and build in rest.”

At MCoT, we remind all our BTs that pacing yourself is important, and it’s an important example to set for your students too. Workload will always be part of teaching but with the right habits, support and mindset, you can structure your time in a sustainable way.