School Reps' Handbook > Your questions answered
Directed Time
Once again the The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document and the Leicestershire Amplification are the important documents in relation to the allocation of directed time.
What can my head direct me do do?
The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document uses the phrase "directions which may be reasonably be given" and disputes usually centre on what is reasonable. Obviously something which falls outside the professional scope of the teacher would not be reasonable. Nor would something for which insufficient notice was given (except in emergency situations).
If the direction significantly affects the working conditions of the teacher(s) concerned there must be a meaningful consultation for it to be reasonable.
What about the 1265 hours?
The Leicestershire Amplification sets out how a time budget allocating directed time should be drawn up and agreed through consultation in each school. It divides directed time into three elements:
- Core Time comprising the pupils' school day plus 10 minutes before the start and after the end of that day and 5 minutes at the start and end of the mid-day break. These extra elements cannot be changed without consultation.
- Extended Time meaning the time agreed for other activities - meetings, parents' evenings etc.
- The "other" 5 days - some of which may now be disaggregated.
In the Summer Term the school should consult with you to draw up the time budget which leaves a reasonable balance for unexpected contingencies. In primary schools this should include a notional 50 hours for "non-contact" time.
If you have any concerns about directed time in your school contact a local Officer.