Scottish Borders Local Association

The following are guidelines only and should be read in conjunction with the EIS document sent to all members: 'Initial Guidance for Local Associations on Working Time'.

It will be up to each school to establish a committee to oversee proposals for implementing McCrone. The emphasis here is on reaching agreement with the staff of the school - this is quite distinct from a consultation process. If agreement cannot be reached, or if other problems arise, then the Local Secretary should be contacted in the first instance.

The yearly totals are as follows:

working year = 39 weeks @ 35 hours = 1365 hours

hours per week = 22.5 class contact + 7.5 preparation/correction = 30
and 39 weeks @ 30 hours = 1170 hours

the balance (1365 - 1170 = 195 hours) is available for other activities and this is the amount that needs to be agreed at school level for the coming session. Where appropriate, some of this time may be used for collegiate activities/meetings and scheduled to take place outwith the normal school day. In the example below, departmental, heads of department and whole school staff meetings would fall into that category. This equates to 5 hours per week.

As of August 2006, the Teachers Agreement specifies 5 hours per week collegiate time. Over the school year this amounts to 195 hours whose use should be agreed collectively. Previously the LNCT issued advice and suggestions for the use of this time. We now propose to set guidelines which in most categories will give an upper and lower limit, to help schools by providing a framework within which to agree an annual plan.

The balance of the time available can be allocated by staff in a flexible way to suit their own circumstances and subject to the conditions contained within McCrone.

notes:

• clearly, circumstances will vary from school to school and teacher to teacher. The important thing is that the figures should be realistic and be a genuine attempt to limit the working week to a maximum of 35 hours for all teachers

• this assumes that guidance teachers are given sufficient non-teaching time to allow them to carry out guidance work and also to make time available for guidance department meetings

• reports includes time for interim reports, guidance reports, settling-in reports...

• flexible time/additional prep & correction time allows for unforeseen activities such as external meetings, HMI, emergency meetings, meetings with parents, preparation for such meetings....

• curriculum development is a crucial area of activity, given initiatives such as 5-14, consolidation of Higher Still, introducing Advanced Higher etc and we would suggest that one hour per week is not unreasonable

• we are aware that this leaves many questions unanswered, but it is at least a starting point. We hope to issue more detailed advice as the situation becomes clearer.

 
updated 25 May 2008
 

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