We recognise the value of extracurricular activities and the key role of staff goodwill in volunteering their time for free to facilitate student enrichment. While no school can run every extracurricular activity within the available directed time, wherever possible we shall reflect this goodwill within a specific teacher’s DTB.
- TNC 2011/8 Appendix III Time Budgeting 3.2 / 3.3 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/de/tn2011-appendiiitime-budgeting.pdf – ‘A teacher’s directed time of 1,265 hours per year is the basic legal requirement for a teacher to satisfy his/her contractual obligations. A teacher cannot be directed to undertake duties beyond 1,265 hours on 195 days. However, schools have always been dependent on a commitment from teachers beyond the legal minimum requirement and this guidance does not change this. Schools would, for example, find it impossible to include within a teacher’s 1,265 hours all of the time currently given by teachers to such activities as games, drama, music and school trips. Nevertheless, the extent of this commitment is for each teacher to determine for himself or herself. Teachers should be given reasonable notice before being directed to undertake evening duties. Principals cannot direct teachers to take pupils on educational visits involving overnight stays. Where this takes place on a voluntary basis it is a matter of negotiation between the teacher and the Principal as to the amount of directed time which will be allocated to this activity out of the annual time budget. This should include an appropriate allocation of time for the organisation of such visits.
- Directed Time Budget Guidance for Principals FAQs Q11 https://ennilive-my.sharepoint.com/personal/bmckenna686_c2ken_net/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fbmckenna686%5Fc2ken%5Fnet%2FDocuments%2FDTB%2FDTB%20%2D%20FAQs%20%2D%20Sway%202022%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fbmckenna686%5Fc2ken%5Fnet%2FDocuments%2FDTB&ga=1 – ‘Principals can negotiate with individual staff in relation to additional duties beyond those identified in the Directed Time budget and agreement may be reached. However, a teacher cannot be directed to take on additional duties that will result in them exceeding the 23.5/25 hrs class contact time, 1,265 hours per year and 195 days. In relation to After School activities: If the Principal directs a teacher to offer an After School Activity this must be included in the teacher’s Directed Time budget. If a teacher offers to take an After School Activity, this is voluntary and does not have to be recorded in a teacher’s Directed Time budget. Where a teacher is involved in an extra-curricular activity that is paid as a separate contract, this is not recorded in the teacher’s Directed Time budget.’
- Advice on Developing Directed Time Budgets 4.2 https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/Advice%20on%20Developing%20%20Directed%20Time%20Budgets%20050620.pdf – ‘Voluntary after-school activities are not mandatory in the Directed Time budget but may be included, for instance residential school trips, sports groups, music classes, and clubs. If the Principal reasonably directs that a teacher should attend an after-school event it must be included. Normally, this should be in line with the school calendar.‘
- TNC 2011/8 Appendix III Time Budgeting Disputes 3.1 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/de/tnc2014-6-grievance-procedure.pdf – ‘Due attention must be paid to ensure that there is work/life balance, in line with the Strategy for Teacher Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland (TNC 2011/1), particularly where a teacher volunteers to take on additional duties on an unremunerated basis.’
- Agreement between Management and Trade Union Side of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee TNC 2020/1 Appendix 2 Other Professional Duties Q6 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202020-1%20Agreement%20Between%20Management%20and%20Trade%20Union%20Side%20of%20the%20Teachers%20%20Negotiating%20Committee.pdf – ‘There is a range of other professional activities that go on regularly within schools. If a teacher is expected to carry out any duty that is deemed reasonable and in balance with the duties allocated to colleagues, then it must also be accounted for in the time budget. Due attention must be paid to ensure that there is work/life balance, in line with the Strategy for Teacher Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland (TNC 2011/1), particularly where a teacher volunteers to take on additional duties on an unremunerated basis.‘
- TNC 2024/2 Workload Agreement 1.1d https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202024-2%20%20Workload%20Agreemeent.pdf – ‘to protect and enhance the professional relationships within a school;’
- TNC 2024/2 Workload Agreement 1.2.2.ii https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202024-2%20%20Workload%20Agreemeent.pdf -That workloads will be such that contractual duties will normally be completed within contractual hours. Actual work patterns may vary to meet the needs of the school, the department and, if appropriate, the individual but will not involve regular directed working during unsocial hours except with consultation and agreement and with a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.
- TNC 2024/2 Workload Agreement 3.1 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202024-2%20%20Workload%20Agreemeent.pdf – Directed Time means time spent on any activity which the Principal has determined that Teacher shall undertake. A Teacher shall be available to perform such duties at such times and such places as may reasonably be specified by the Principal. All the time that a Teacher has to be on school premises is included in Directed Time. Time spent off school premises in preparing and marking lessons is not included in a Teacher’s Directed Time
- TNC 2024/2 Workload Agreement 5.1e https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202024-2%20%20Workload%20Agreemeent.pdf – ‘There is a range of other professional activities that go on regularly within schools. If a Teacher is expected to carry out any duty that is deemed reasonable and in balance with the duties allocated to colleagues, then it must also be accounted for in the time budget. Due attention must be paid to ensure that there is work/life balance, in line with the Strategy for Teacher Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland (TNC 2011/1), particularly where a Teacher volunteers to take on additional duties on an unremunerated basis’
- TNC 2024/2 Workload Agreement 5.2 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202024-2%20%20Workload%20Agreemeent.pdf – ‘5.2 If a Teacher agrees to carry out these duties on a voluntary basis they will not count as directed time, however, if the duties are directed by the Principal then the hours fall under directed time. 5.3 Principals cannot direct Teachers to take pupils on educational visits involving overnight stays. Where this takes place on a voluntary basis it is a matter of negotiation between the Teacher and the Principal as to the amount of directed time which will be allocated to this activity out of the annual time budget. This should include an appropriate allocation of time for the organisation of such visits.’