Frequently Asked Questions #
Part-Time Teachers: FAQs #
Why can working patterns affect the number of days I work?
The pattern of days you work can affect whether you work more or fewer days than your contractual entitlement.
For example:
Staff who work Mondays may work additional days because some public holidays fall on Mondays.
Staff who do not work Mondays may sometimes work fewer days overall.
It is important to compare:
The number of days you are expected to attend basedon your timetable, and
The number of days covered by your salary allocation.
What happens if I work more or fewer days than my entitlement?
If your working pattern means:
You are working more days than your contractual allocation, you may be due time back.
You are working fewer days than your contractual allocation, you may owe time to the school.
This should be discussed with your line manager to agree a fair and practical solution.
Do part-time teachers have to attend collegiate activities on non-working days?
Usually, no.
Part-time teachers are only required to complete their pro-rata share of collegiate time.
The only collegiate activity that may require attendance on a non-working day is a parents’ evening.
However, you are only required to complete your proportional share of the hours allocated for parents’ evenings.
Arrangements should be agreed in advance with your line manager.
How is collegiate time calculated for part-time teachers?
Collegiate time is calculated on a pro-rata basis according to your contract percentage.
For example:
A teacher working 0.6 FTE would complete up to 3 hours collegiate time per week on average.
Do part-time teachers attend all In-Service Days?
Not necessarily.
Part-time teachers should attend their proportional allocation of In-Service Days.
It is recommended that this is discussed and agreed with your line manager before the start of the school year, ideally by the end of the previous session.
This allows agreement on which days would be most beneficial or relevant to attend.
What should I do before moving to part-time hours?
Before changing to part-time working, you should:
Review the school calendar carefully
- Calculate how many days you are likely to work
- Compare this with your contractual entitlement
- Discuss collegiate time and In-Service Day attendance with your line manager
- Agree arrangements in advance wherever possible
This helps avoid misunderstandings later in the school year.
Who should I speak to if I have concerns about my working time allocation?
You should raise any concerns initially with your line manager.
If necessary, you may also wish to seek advice from info@ssta.org.uk or HR department.
