Leadership

The Productive Leader: Optimising Time in School Leadership

Ever wondered how much more impact you could have if every hour of your working day was spent on what truly matters? 'The Productive Leader: Optimising Time in School Leadership' is a practical, research-informed course designed to help school leaders reclaim time, reduce low-value tasks and focus on high-impact activities that drive school improvement. Through structured time audits, proven prioritisation frameworks, effective delegation strategies and a balanced toolkit of digital and analogue productivity tools – including ethical AI use – leaders will learn to work smarter, protect their wellbeing and embed sustainable routines. The course also guides leaders in reflecting on progress, setting boundaries and reinvesting reclaimed time into coaching, staff development, curriculum enhancement and community engagement, ensuring that productivity gains translate directly into improved outcomes for learners and the wider school community.
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Yiotina Achilleos-Dania,
Hayley Wallace & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

understand how to conduct a structured time audit to map daily tasks, identify low-value activities and refocus on strategic priorities that drive impact;
apply proven prioritisation tools such as the Eisenhower Matrix, Pareto Principle, Pomodoro method, etc., to distinguish urgent from important work and maximise productivity;
develop effective delegation strategies that empower teams, clarify responsibilities and reduce bottlenecks, while maintaining oversight;
optimise your productivity by selecting tools and systems that suit your leadership style, while establishing healthy boundaries, managing interruptions and protecting headspace to sustain wellbeing;
implement regular reflective checkpoints to measure time-saving gains, refine your approach and reinvest reclaimed time into high-value leadership activities, such as coaching staff, engaging governors and families, and driving school improvement.

Course Lessons

Written by: Yiotina Achilleos-Dania

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Yiotina has spent over a decade immersed in the world of primary education. Most of her teaching career, she juggled the roles of Science and Maths subject leader, while working across key stage 1 and 2 (mainly based in years 2 and 6). Armed with degrees in Marketing Communications, Business Analysis and Primary Education (plus a National Qualification of Middle Leadership), she’s been at the forefront of introducing new initiatives, reshaping curricula and championing practical, hands-on learning to ensure every pupil thrives. From training staff to supporting long-term skill progression, Yiotina has always been passionate about helping both pupils and teachers grow. Now, as a Twinkl CPD Content Writer and Editor, she’s swapped the classroom for the creative space of professional development, using her expertise to craft engaging, impactful resources that continue to support educators and learners.

Presented by: Hayley Wallace

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Hayley is a Video Content Creator on the CPD team at Twinkl. She has over 15 years teaching experience as a primary classroom teacher and specialist science teacher in both primary and secondary. She has been a subject lead in science for over 12 years and successfully lead departments of experienced and trainee teachers. As well as completing a PGCE in Primary Education, she has achieved a BSc(Hons) in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a post graduate qualification in Forensic Science. Hayley has also held leadership roles in whole-school wellbeing and is passionate about school culture and making education a positive experience for both pupils and staff.

In collaboration with: Carly Watkins

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Carly Watkins has over 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher, including several years as an assistant headteacher, with responsibility for whole-school curriculum development and overseeing pupil progress and attainment. She also holds a master’s degree in Education Practice and a NPQ in Leading Teacher Development. Carly has been a mentor for both student and Early Career Teachers and currently facilitates the Early Career Framework for ECTs and their mentors, delivering training at conferences and via online seminars. At Twinkl PD, Carly heads up pedagogical professional development – a role which means she can support educators to develop their personal practice and pedagogy, something she is passionate about on a national scale.