Teacher workload is one of the most pressing issues in UK education today. With increasing responsibilities and limited time, many educators are struggling to balance lesson planning, marking, administrative duties, and the diverse learning needs of their pupils. Integrating online tutoring into a school’s strategy is an effective, scalable way to lighten the load—giving teachers more time to focus on what they do best: delivering high-quality teaching.
Are teachers struggling with workload?
The short answer is: yes. Research from the Department for Education (DfE) and teacher unions consistently highlights workload as a leading cause of stress, burnout, and attrition in the teaching profession.
Key challenges contributing to this issue include:
- Limited planning time: Many teachers work beyond school hours to plan differentiated lessons for mixed-ability classes.
- Marking and feedback: Providing meaningful, personalised feedback is time-consuming but essential for pupil progress.
- Pastoral and SEND support: Teachers are increasingly expected to support pupils’ social and emotional needs, adding to their responsibilities.
- Data and reporting: Administrative tasks, assessment tracking, and accountability paperwork take valuable time away from teaching.
Is there enough funding available?
While school budgets are tight, funding options like Pupil Premium, catch-up funding, and SEND resources can be strategically allocated to reduce teacher workload by outsourcing targeted academic interventions.
TLC LIVE offers cost-effective online tutoring that aligns with curriculum goals and funding requirements—making it an accessible option for schools looking to stretch their budgets without compromising on quality.
How online tutoring supports workload management
When used strategically, online tutoring can reduce pressure in several key areas:
1. Intervention support
Rather than pulling teachers away from lessons or relying on stretched Teaching Assistant (TA) teams, TLC LIVE can deliver tailored catch-up sessions for pupils falling behind—whether in maths, English, or science. This ensures no child is left behind, without adding more to the teacher’s workload.
2. SEND and Pupil Premium provision
Supporting learners with additional needs is essential but time-consuming. Our experienced tutors offer personalised, consistent support aligned with EHCPs and individual learning plans, reducing the need for 1:1 teacher time.
3. Marking and progress tracking
We take care of marking and reporting. Each session includes measurable outcomes, with progress reports that integrate directly into school tracking systems—saving hours of administrative work every term.
4. Timetabling flexibility
TLC LIVE lessons can be scheduled during school hours or after-school, fitting around existing timetables and helping staff optimise teaching slots for whole-class instruction.
Real-world impact: supporting schools and teachers
Our partner schools regularly report that online tutoring has a measurable impact on teacher wellbeing and classroom effectiveness. Here’s why:
- Reduced pressure on staff: Teachers can focus on class-wide progress while knowing individual pupils are receiving additional support.
- Improved learning outcomes: Pupils receiving extra tuition often re-engage with learning, fostering a more settled and productive classroom environment.
- More efficient use of support staff: TAs can focus on in-class needs rather than trying to fill gaps in core subjects.
Why choose TLC LIVE?
- Qualified UK teachers: All our tutors are fully qualified and DBS-checked, ensuring high-quality, safe tuition.
- Rapid setup: Sessions can start within 48 hours—perfect for urgent intervention needs or staffing gaps.
- No minimum commitment: Our flexible pricing model means schools can scale tutoring up or down as needed, depending on their requirements.
- Clear reporting: We provide robust data on pupil engagement and progress, ready to share with SLT, Ofsted, and governors.
Conclusion
Teacher workload is not just a staffing issue — it directly affects pupil outcomes, staff wellbeing, and school performance. By integrating online tutoring, schools can provide targeted academic support without overburdening their teaching teams.
TLC LIVE is proud to partner with schools across the UK, providing smart, flexible solutions that help manage workload, improve outcomes, and ensure every learner receives the support they deserve.
Support your staff. Support your pupils. Let’s make learning work for everyone.
Learn more about our tutoring for schools.
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