PPA time (Planning, Preparation and Assessment Time) is one of the few protected slots in a teacher’s busy week but let’s be honest, it often disappears faster than you can open your laptop. Whether it’s interruptions, poor planning or just sheer overwhelm, it’s easy to come out of PPA feeling like you’ve achieved very little. In this blog post, we’ll explore simple, effective strategies to help you make the most of your PPA time so you can plan smarter, stay focused and feel one step ahead instead of one step behind.
Prepare for a Smooth Handover
Ensure that whoever is covering your class during your PPA knows exactly what they’re doing, where things are and any other information they may need before you begin. This helps the classroom run smoothly in your absence and reduces the chances of being interrupted mid-session.
Also, make sure you’ve got everything you might need for your PPA ahead of time (laptop and charger, your planner, books for marking, water bottle etc). The moment you step back into your classroom, even for a minute, you’re almost guaranteed to get side-tracked which eats into your valuable planning time.
Find a Quiet Workspace
When I say “find a hiding space”, I don’t mean under the table or in a cupboard, unless that’s your thing! What I do mean is that, whether you're taking your PPA at school or at home, find a quiet room or space where you're unlikely to be interrupted or distracted by noise.
It’s all too easy for a quick “hi” from a colleague to turn into a 20-minute conversation - or worse, a new task being added to your list. Protect your PPA time like gold!
Establish a Routine That Works
Get into a PPA routine that suits you. Some teachers prefer to crack on without breaks, while others need short social breaks between tasks to stay focused.
Think ahead about the tasks you need to complete and estimate how long each one will take. Then make a plan. I personally find it helpful to split larger, more time-consuming tasks up with quicker, simpler ones. That way, when I hit a mental block, I can switch to a fast task, tick it off my list, and regain motivation.
Make a List and Prioritise
Start your PPA with a clear list of tasks. This prevents you from feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or getting completely side-tracked.
Use your planner or a dedicated to-do list pad. Write down everything you hope to get done and rank tasks by importance or urgency. Breaking tasks down into smaller steps can also be a huge help—especially if you’re someone who gets satisfaction from ticking things off!
Some teachers even find it useful to use a timer, working in focused sprints with short breaks in between.
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Save time by using existing resources where possible. There’s no need to recreate slides, worksheets or planning documents if they already exist. Ask colleagues who’ve taught the year group before if they’ve got resources to share. It could instantly tick a job off your list or at least give you a strong starting point.
If you’re lucky enough to work in a school that plans as a year group or key stage, coordinate with colleagues to share the workload fairly and plan more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Your PPA time is precious, treat it like it matters. With a little planning, collaboration and discipline, you can get the most out of it without feeling overwhelmed or behind. Protect your time and use it wisely!
