Weekly directed time which is not used will not be “accumulated” for use later in the year. “Front-loading” and “Back-loading” of time is bad practice, and should be avoided. Where periodic intense workload is required (for example moderation or controlled assessments, report writing etc) cover should be provided instead.
- Directed Time Budget Guidance for Principals FAQs Q14 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 – ‘Time spent preparing written reports to parents on the progress of their children should be accounted for in a teacher’s Directed Time budget. It is up to the leadership of a school to determine how much Directed Time is allocated to the writing of annual reports.’
- Advice on Developing Directed Time Budgets 7.1 https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/Advice%20on%20Developing%20%20Directed%20Time%20Budgets%20050620.pdf – ‘There are times, usually predictable well in advance, when the pattern of the school day/operation of the set timetable is disrupted e.g. start of school year, end of term, GCSE/GCE examinations in May/June. Not every week in the school year is the same, for example the beginning of the school year, end of term, exam and report writing periods. Likewise, teaching time does not have to be the same in each week but cannot exceed the 23.5 / 25 hour limit in a single week.’
- EA Health & Safety Statement & Policy 2023 https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-10/EA%20Health%20and%20Safety%20Statement%20and%20Policy%20Nov%202023.pdf – ‘actively identifying health and safety hazards and unsafe processes/systems of work with a view to eliminating, controlling or minimising risk where practicable through a recognised assessment process; engaging and consulting with all employees and their representatives on health, safety and wellbeing by establishing and maintaining consultative committees.’
- 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.‘
- Agreement between Management and Trade Union Side of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee TNC 2020/1 FAQ Q2 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 – ‘Principals will need to plan the use of the 1265 hours carefully. If they do not, there could be a danger that staff will exhaust their obligatory hours before the end of the school year.’
- TNC 2024/2 Workload Agreement 1.1 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/TNC%202024-2%20%20Workload%20Agreemeent.pdf – ‘c. to ensure that members of staff are able to observe their contractual requirements, pursue their careers and undertake their day to day duties without unfair and unreasonable requirements being placed on them in relation to those duties and with sufficient time to enjoy a reasonable work/life balance; d. to protect and enhance the professional relationships within a school; e. to ensure that Boards of Governors as employers are aware of and in a position to meet their legal obligations with respect to employment matters and to operate within the spirit of the legislation governing Working Time and Health and Safety.
- 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’