The 2009 teachers’ workload survey provides data on the hours and working patterns of teachers in maintained primary, secondary and special schools.

Most categories of teacher continue to report working over 50 hours per week. Working hours reported by primary heads in 2009 are still lower than in 2000 but have been increasing since 2005. The working hours reported by primary deputy heads have decreased since 2000. The number of hours worked by primary classroom teachers were lower than in 2000, but they have not decreased significantly since 2003.

The number of hours reported by secondary classroom teachers has remained fairly steady, and although there has been an increase since 2007, the number of hours worked in 2009 is not significantly different from the number of hours worked in 2000.

In contrast, the number of hours reported by secondary heads and deputies has been volatile; both have decreased significantly since 2006.

The total hours worked by special school classroom teachers have decreased significantly since 2000 from 48.3 hours in 2008 to 42.8 hours in 2009.

Head teachers in primary schools are more likely to think they are expected to do things that are not part of their job most or all of the time compared to other types of teachers. In particular administration and clerical work are mentioned as something which teachers do not think should be part of their job, and they would like to spend less time doing it.

The survey is available from the DCFS. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR159.pdf