Sir You Look Tired - The Unofficial CPD for Exhausted Teachers

• ECT Nightmares, Boundaries & Staff Room Realities | Sir, You Look Tired

  Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan get real about the wild world of teaching, sharing honest stories from the trenches - especially those early years as ECTs. From toxic school cultures and impossible workloads to the importance of setting boundaries, this episode is packed with practical advice, hard-won lessons, and plenty of laughs for teachers everywhere.Whether you’re a new teacher navigating your first leadership role, or a seasoned pro with your own staff room horror stories, this one’s for you. We cover everything from glue stick shortages and folder drama to the power of saying no, the value of unions, and why every teacher needs to protect their wellbeing. Don’t forget to leave a comment, rate us five stars, and share your own tales from the classroom!Timestamps & chapters below 👇00:00 - Welcome Back & New School Year Vibes00:27 - ECTs, Assistant Heads & Toxic School Cultures02:41 - Early Career Struggles: Saying Yes & Being Overworked06:29 - Leadership Roles, Delegation & Staff Room Stories09:52 - Folder Drama, Mentors & Surviving Inspections23:49 - Power Trips, Staff Turnover & School Politics27:09 - Boundaries, Burnout & Learning to Say No32:57 - Advice for New Teachers: Red Flags & Self-Protection35:46 - Final Thoughts: Unions, Support & Listener Shoutouts36:59 - Outro & How to Reach Us

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• Surviving the Second Week: Glue Sticks, Meal Prep & Teacher Burnout | Sir, You Look Tired

  Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan dive into the chaos of the new school year, sharing real talk about teacher stress, workload management, and the art of setting boundaries. From the great glue stick debate to meal prep hacks, delegation tips, and the infamous "do, delegate, delete, delay" mantra, this episode is packed with practical advice and plenty of laughs for teachers everywhere.Whether you’re feeling the burnout already or just need a reminder to put yourself first, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to drop us a comment, rate us five stars, and share your own staff room stories!Timestamps & chapters below 👇00:00 - Welcome Back & New School Year Vibes00:27 - Teacher Stress: Stats & Real Talk01:41 - Workload Management: Boundaries & Burnout06:29 - Meal Prep, Food Hacks & Surviving the Staff Room09:52 - Shrinkflation, Snacks & The Great Glue Stick Debate23:49 - Delegation, Teamwork & Teacher Training Gaps27:09 - Classroom Chaos: Cupboards, Shared Drives & Offsted Myths32:57 - Planning, Prioritizing & Saying No35:46 - Final Thoughts: Do, Delegate, Delete, Delay36:59 - Outro & Listener Shoutouts

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• Wellbeing Isn’t Badminton at Half Four on a Friday

  The first week back should feel like a fresh start - but for most teachers, it’s where the burnout begins. Research shows 67% of teachers say their mental health declines significantly within the first seven days of term.In this episode, Martin and Dan break down why the first week hits so hard: the new class that feels like 30 strangers, the pointless environment walks, the obsession with curly borders, the clipboard-brigade of observations, and the dreaded “wellbeing” badminton tournament at half four on a Friday.It’s honest, raw, and a little bit ridiculous - but it’s also full of the real talk teachers need to hear. Because if you don’t put systems in place early, you risk being completely drained before October half-term even arrives.

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• It’s Like Sunday Night Fear… But Worse

  Every teacher knows the Sunday night fear. But that first week back after summer? It’s like Sunday night fear… but worse.In this episode, Martin and Dan unpack why back-to-school anxiety hits so hard - from worrying you’ve forgotten how to teach, to the chaos of brand-new classes, to the pressure of “being ready” when you’re anything but.They share honest stories from the classroom, practical tips to ease the nerves, and why preparation doesn’t mean overworking yourself. If you’re dreading September, this one’s for you.

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• Teachers Don’t Do New Year’s Resolutions… We Do September Ones

  September is the real New Year for teachers. The fresh stationery, the big plans, the “this term I’ll finally…” promises.But here’s the problem: 83% of teachers drop their health goals by week three.In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, Martin and Dan dive into why habits collapse so quickly, the chaotic reality of teacher life (hello messy desktops and copy-of-copy Canva files 😂), and the simple systems that actually stick.From meal prep hacks to the infamous “balloon” stress analogy, we’ll show you how to make September resolutions last longer than the first staff meeting biscuits.

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