Can I get tax relief on my subscriptions?
Yes. It is possible to get tax relief on your subscriptions for the current and past six years. To claim your tax relief contact your local tax office.
Should I have to cover for absences known in advance?
You are not required to provide cover for absences known in advance for two working days before the absence commenced and that the absence will be for longer than three working days. There is now a national agreement on cover.
What are the resignation dates?
If you are a teacher then you should give two months notice in the Autumn and Spring terms and three months for the Summer term.
- October 31st
- February 28th/29th
- May 31st
If you are a headteacher then you should give three months notice in the Autumn and Spring Terms and four months notice in the Summer term.
If you are a Newly Qualified Teacher then your notice period is one month.
There are occasions when the Governors can use their discretion and they can release a teacher from their contract, within the notice period.
What is my sick leave entitlement?
In your first year of teaching you are entitled to full pay for 25 working days and after 4 calendar months you are entitled to 50 working days on half pay.
In the second year of teaching you are entitled to full pay for 50 working days and half pay for 50 working days.
In the third year of teaching you are entitled to full pay for 75 working days and half pay for 75 working days.
In the fourth year of teaching you are entitled to full pay for 100 working days and half pay for 100 working days.
The sick leave entitlement runs from April 1st until March 31st. An absence due to illness which runs across these dates is counted against the year ending March 31st.
Governors can use their discretion and they can extend sick leave on full pay or on half pay if they wish to. Normally Governors have to be persuaded that this would be beneficial for the teacher concerned
Should I set work if I am sick?
No. If you are off work because of illness then your Headteacher cannot make you set work for your class. If you decide to set work then this would be at your discretion.
Can I be directed to take part in extra curricula activities?
No. Teachers are required to work “such additional hours as may be necessary to discharge effectively their professional duties”, such as planning, preparation and assessment. Extra curricular activities are voluntary.
Should I receive a directed time breakdown?
Yes. It is good practice to publish a breakdown of the directed time for teachers. Headteachers do not have to use all of the 1265 hours available for the teacher to carry out their teaching and professional duties.
What is the maximum number of pupils I can have in my class?
The only statutory maximum is at Key Stage 1, which is for 30 pupils per class. Teachers should report to their Headteacher concerns relating to large classes where this has an impact on learning, workload and Health & Safety.
