Working Time Agreements and Managing Teacher Workload West Lothian Local Association Terry Gray, Area Officer April 2017

Objective for today Simple…. we want to support EIS reps & members in making the most of this tool and in negotiating effective Working Time Agreements

Content SNCT Statement on Teacher Professionalism 35 hour working week WTA process Ground rules Tips for better balance Negotiating…and what happens if no agreement is reached Planned Flexibility

Teacher Professionalism SNCT Statement on Teacher Professionalism Climate of collegiality must underpin enhanced professional role of teachers Due regard to workload and contractual obligations to allow time for core role as leaders of learning Anything that makes it impossible for teaching staff to complete their duties within the 35 hour working week = Excessive workload (SNCT App. 2.18)

35 hour working week 35 hour working week - 22.5 hours class contact maximum 7.5 hours (1/3 class contact time)for personal planning and preparation 5 hours for collegiate work 190 hours annually (38 teaching weeks x 5 hours) THIS IS CONTRACTUAL

WTA process WTA – agreed and negotiated annually between teacher reps and HT (or SMT rep) ..this is the School Negotiating Committee Must take account of LNCT advice which is updated and issued annually Greatest opportunity to collectively manage teacher workload Accounts for use of 190 hours over school year

WTA process contd. In place for August – negotiations should be complete before end of June Organise a school branch meeting in April/May to discuss and evaluate the current WTA SNC meets to negotiate changes and draft school calendar

WTA process contd. Further EIS meeting to discuss WTA negotiation and decide on position If agreed HT and staff reps sign-off, if not then further period of negotiation required LA Secretary can provide advice throughout the process

Ground rules WTA must have a calendar of events (dates and times must also be agreed) Take account of part-time staff Allow only 1 event in a week e.g. avoid having parent’s meetings and a staff meeting in the same week* Don’t feel pressured to just ‘agree’ to last year’s WTA! Ensure WTA is shared with all staff *N.B This is does not mean 1 meeting EVERY week!

Tips for better workload balance Keep brief notes of how long activities actually take throughout the year – this will help with the next negotiations Consider balance of hours allocated to activities such as planning, moderation, and curriculum development - does this work for your school? SIPs should be realistic and every activity costed in terms of time

Tips for better workload balance - cont CfE Working Group on tackling bureaucracy –ensure time for professional dialogue – look at balance of meetings and consider alternatives. Set aside realistic time for flexibility – we know that teachers will have extra preparation/correction to deal with as well as events such as school inspections etc,

Suggestion for balance of hours Activity Hours   Class Contact 855 (22.5 hours per week) Personal Allowance 285 (7.5 hours per week) In‐Service Days 35 (5 days per year) Planning, Assessment, Reporting and Recording To be negotiated and agreed at school level Curricular Development Collegiate Activity Performance Review Meetings with Parents Staff Meetings Personal Review and Development Balance of Time TOTAL 1365

What happens next… Once your school has agreed the WTA and school calendar for the following session it should be submitted to both Joint Secretaries of the LNCT If any agreement has been reached for flexibility then the detail of this (including all staff involved, and the specific model to be used) MUST be submitted to the LNCT alongside the WTA for scrutiny

What happens next if you don’t reach agreement…..… If you are unable to reach agreement then the LNCT should be notified of the failure to agree. School branches should contact their LA Secretary early in the negotiation process if this looks a likely outcome.