1. It should be noted that the interpretation of main contractual duties (including most obviously maximum class contact time) is a matter for the SNCT. It has not been devolved to local arrangement. There can be no local or school based variations to the relevant national agreement.
2. The correct method of handling the maximum teaching commitment of full time teachers in any week where the teacher does not work for the full week (illness, leave of absence, holiday or other) is simple. The teacher is regarded as having attended work for the relevant day(s) and as having been employed normally. The teacher is therefore deemed to have taught his/her normal classes for that day. All questions relating to availability for cover duties etc would be answered on this basis.
3. There are no exceptional circumstances which would counter the above.
4. It must be noted that teachers no longer have an entitlement to a fixed amount of non-class contact time. It is the converse of this: they have a maximum contractual class contact time. The concept of non-class contact time no longer exists. It is class contact time which is relevant.
5. Shortened weeks always cause difficulties for staff who have large amounts of class contact time during the working days of shortened weeks and for part-time and job share teachers. However, there will always be winners and losers depending on which days of the week are not worked.
