How are modern schools enhancing classroom efficiency?

Teachers are time poor and pulled in lots of different directions – a government report found that teachers and leaders in UK schools were most likely to report working between 50 and 59 hours per week, which is around 36-60% higher than the national average for full-time workers. And according to a report on the working lives of teachers, classroom teachers and middle leaders spend too much time on tasks other than teaching. 75% reported they spend too much time on “general administrative work”, which includes communication tasks, paperwork and sending emails. 56% also stated they spend too much time recording, monitoring and analysing pupil data.

In many schools, legacy systems and processes can mean innovation gets left behind in favour of “getting the job done”. Even in technology focused, forward-thinking schools, there are always improvements that can be made. However, time and resources are needed to drive change and schools often have a limited amount of both.

Yet the benefits of improved efficiency can’t be ignored. Efficient processes can contribute towards better lesson planning, which can enhance delivery and improve educational outcomes. Moving away from unrealistic schedules can also help teachers prioritise mental health and prevent burnout – a culture of improvement is better for everyone. Explore these five strategies to begin proactively addressing classroom efficiency.

In this section, we’ll cover five top strategies to enhance classroom efficiency, from centralising data to improving parent-teacher communication. Let’s take a closer look. 

Centralising data and offering self-service options

The less teachers have to worry about the basics, the more energy they can bring to their roles. Centralising staff data is the first step, helping schools to:

• Ensure teachers’ details are kept accurately on file and are up to date
• Pensions are properly managed
• Payroll is efficient and teachers are paid correctly every time
• Communications reach the right people

Teachers can update their own personal details using employee self-service platforms, which can also automate payslip access, document distribution and more. Accurate, centralised data is the cornerstone of school efficiency.

You may be interested in:

Access Education People – Empowering your teachers to self-serve using their mobile devices.

Access Education Payroll – Our managed payroll service does all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.

Streamlining parent-teacher communication

Parent/guardian engagement is so important for learning outcomes but can be a major source of admin for teachers. Streamlining parent-teacher communication can give teachers back hours of their time, while ensuring parents and guardians receive the essential information and updates they need in a helpful format. Parent communication software allows teachers to communicate quickly and succinctly with parents and guardians, with features including:

• Automated parents’ evening bookings
• Portals to send information and updates
• Online booking and payments platforms
• School meal payment and management systems
• Day planners for each student – an automated way for parents to see exactly what their children are doing, and when
• Customisable forms to collect data from parents
• Notifications for parents when communications are received

Delivering curriculum content using digital tools

Digital learning solutions can be used alongside other classroom resources to deliver useful, engaging content for students, improving classroom efficiency. Learning software can cover a number of different subjects, and students can make use of the content in the classroom or at home.

For teachers, digital solutions can reduce planning by providing ready-made lessons and homework assignments. It’s also possible to assess students in platform, with no marking required by teachers – detailed reports can then be generated on student results and progress. Finding the right digital tools and incorporating them into everyday teaching can take some time, but the efficiencies are worthwhile pursuing.

Related read: Comparing 6 e-learning platforms for secondary schools: A comprehensive guide

Providing teachers with career development opportunities

Operating in such a busy environment, teachers can lack the time and support needed to develop in their roles once they qualify. Actively building career development into teachers’ working lives will help them develop new skills, gain knowledge and become more efficient.

Create a culture where learning is an ongoing process, continuing professional development (CPD) is offered as standard and appraisals are carried out regularly. During these sessions, teachers have a unique opportunity to reflect on what they do well and where they would like to improve so they can set actionable goals that support their development and classroom practice.

Schools can also consider what learning and career development opportunities they can provide in addition to the basic training that’s required for compliance purposes. One option is for management to send out surveys to understand what teachers want and need, gathering honest opinions that can shape learning and training strategies.

Many HR software platforms feature learning modules to help with CPD, and appraisal software to record the process and set goals.

Better budgeting

This strategy might not be directly linked to the classroom, but it can certainly support what happens in it. School budgets are undeniably tight and difficult to balance, especially when managed manually.

Budgeting software reduces the administrative burden and improves accuracy, as well as providing forecasts and modelling the impact of future changes, which means it has the potential to save schools money.

Robust financial insights and possible cost savings can help schools allocate funds where they are needed the most, opening the door for investment in technology to drive future efficiencies.

Technology and digital solutions are at the heart of improving classroom efficiency, allowing teachers to automate processes, streamline communication, deliver better lessons and much more.

But implementing new solutions in siloes can cause inefficiencies to worsen, requiring teachers to juggle multiple systems and learn new processes that don’t end up saving them time.

Here are five tips to help enhance classroom efficiency using technology:

1. Use one software suite to centralise operations. Working with systems from multiple suppliers creates a disparate user experience and siloes data, so there could be gaps and it will be more difficult to process. A leading software suite from a specialist provider in the education sector can offer:

• Centralised, useable data that can be turned into actionable insights
• Intuitive and personalised reporting options with different views and dashboards
• Efficient and reliable data storage
• Excellent data security, with all data stored in one place
• Options to streamline and automate communications between staff as well as with pupils and parents

These are just the basics – an education-focused software suite can do so much more in addition and can be customised to meet the school’s needs.

2. Choose cloud-based software for flexible, secure access. Cloud software is implemented and updated by the provider so schools will be set free from limiting, expensive hardware. This means software can be utilised throughout the school, on any device, in any classroom, as well as remotely if required. This is especially important when software is used for digital learning.

3. Manage access carefully. Ensure that the correct people have access to the systems they need – equally, not every member of staff will need access to everything, which can push costs up and compromise security. Managing access carefully is essential to protect sensitive data, but will also ensure the correct people have access to what they need, when they need it.

4. Prioritise system and data security. A data breach or cybersecurity incident can affect the whole school, impacting administration, teaching, parent-teacher communication and more. Schools house so much important data and a lack of vigilance is a major flaw. Ask the important questions about data protection and security when initially engaging with a supplier – while a data breach could be the supplier’s fault, it becomes the school’s problem.

5. Document responsibilities and delegate tasks. Technology can offer busy education professionals a helping hand, but only when it’s used correctly. Work to understand who will take care of which processes – including implementation as well as ongoing maintenance – and ensure roles and responsibilities are clear. Also clarify support options and make sure all relevant staff know the avenues open to them should they need it. 

Related content: Curriculum-based financial planning: How schools and academies can improve efficiencies and maximise resources.

Download the guide here

Access Education offers a suite of tools to support school staff and teachers, helping to cut administration and boost efficiency.

With one centralised software system, you can stop relying on legacy technology, helping you complete tasks faster and more accurately.

Tools to support teachers with communication, curriculum content, everyday admin and more can cut workloads and improve teaching quality. Learn more about Access Education or contact us to find out how we can support your school.