Managing Teacher Workload (WTA) – Don’t Say Yes, Say How
Working Time Agreements (WTAs) for the next school year are currently being negotiated in many schools. These agreements should determine how teachers’ 35-hour working week is organised and allocated.
Remember that the maximum class contact time is 22.5 hours per week, with 7.5 hours allocated for planning, preparation and correction, and 5 hours for collegiate activities. Teachers who undertake management responsibilities should also have appropriate time allocated within their class contact hours (See “PART 2: SECTION 2 – MAIN DUTIES” of the SNCT handbook)
The real challenge for many schools is ensuring that all expectations placed on teachers can be accommodated within the 5 hours allocated for collegiate activities. It is therefore essential that any WTA clearly identifies the activities to be undertaken and allocates realistic time for completing them. A well-constructed WTA should provide clear answers to that question and help ensure that workload remains manageable and sustainable.
Rather than simply agreeing to every new initiative, idea or proposal that appears beneficial, teachers should ask a crucial question: How will this be achieved within the agreed working time?
For more information on WTA and an explanatory video can be found on the SSTA website.
Part-time teachers: FAQs
Teachers who work part-time, or who are considering doing so, are invited to read the following advice: Working Year/Working Week for part-timers
A list of FAQs answering the following questions can also be found on the SSTA website.
- Why can working patterns affect the number of days I work?
- What happens if I work more or fewer days than my entitlement?
- Do part-time teachers have to attend collegiate activities on non-working days?
- How is collegiate time calculated for part-time teachers?
- Do part-time teachers attend all In-Service Days?
- What should I do before moving to part-time hours?
- Who should I speak to if I have concerns about my working time allocation?
SSTA Subscriptions – Tax Allowable Expense
We should like to remind you that your SSTA subscriptions are a tax allowable expense. Two-thirds of the annual subscription payable to the Association is allowable for income tax relief. Section 343, Part 5, Chapter 2 of the Income tax (Earning and Pensions) Act 2003.
Further information on how to make a claim can be found on the HMRC website
SSTA STANDING UP FOR ALL TEACHERS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION