Techitude
COMMITTEE
Wait, what?! We dont have to attend teacher training days if we're term time only? Or are inset days different, I'm confused?!
Inset days
- Thread starter STEMTech
- Start date
Our teacher INSET days are often a Saturday or Sunday so we are not expected to attend.
September usually includes at least one weekday, though.
Usually spend the time prepping, mopping the floor, sorting textbooks / stationery issue or similar, but we do get invited to faculty and department meetings.
September usually includes at least one weekday, though.
Usually spend the time prepping, mopping the floor, sorting textbooks / stationery issue or similar, but we do get invited to faculty and department meetings.
Inset is just teacher training rebranded as it doesn't just involve teachers anymore
If you're pure TTO with no extras at all then no, skip them unless they wanna pay you the overtime as you'd be working/training for free
I think it depends what's in your contract and may need to be clarified with HR as to exactly what is expected.
Techitude
COMMITTEE
I've emailed HR and it turns out they have no idea what the definition of a 'term day' actually is and were struggling to comprehend that I wasnt asking 'what does TTO mean?' and was seeking a clarification definition of a term day.
They suggested, based on an NEU point, that it was when schools are open, but I pointed out they are open during the holidays too (for full time staff) but these arent considered term days.
All in all it seems they couldn't answer my question.
HOWEVER....
this appears on our city council website on their term dates page:-
"The school year starts in September. There are 195 school days in each year (39 weeks). Pupils spend 190 days (38 weeks) in school each year; 5 of the 195 days are reserved for training teachers and support staff."
Which suggests that the inset/teacher training days are already built in to 'term time' and thus must be attended as per our contracts if TTO.
So it would seem that there isn't actually a definition of what a term day actually is (that HR are aware of anyway), which seems a bit odd in a legal sense but hey, it's not my problem!
Techitude
COMMITTEE
I'd double check that if I were you, as above our council actually state the term is 195 days, and whilst it may differ between regions I would suspect it best to check.
I already checked with our HR. It's me who sorts out what hours and days the techs work and I like to be clear I'm doing it right. It's 190 days contact time with pupils and 5 days allocated as inset, taken at this school as 3 whole days and 4 twilight sessions. Term time for non teaching staff is definitely the 190 days. As you say, different schools will allocate these differently. I actually have the Cornwall Council academic calendar pinned up in front of me now that says exactly this.
it would depend if they pay your TTO for 39 weeks or 38 weeks.
Techitude
COMMITTEE
I'm paid for 39 weeks, but yes I guess this could be different for others.
I think one of our receptionists is paid 38 weeks. (We are FT)
To confuse things even further - because why not?- there was some discrepancy over the christmas holidays for Full Time workers.
As the school is actually closed at Christmas the school eventually said that Christmas does not come out of their allocated leave.
So, in effect, they get quite a bit more holiday than TTO workers, even if you did it pro rata.
As the school is actually closed at Christmas the school eventually said that Christmas does not come out of their allocated leave.
So, in effect, they get quite a bit more holiday than TTO workers, even if you did it pro rata.
Nick Mitchener
COMMITTEE
That's very odd. I was signed off for Christmas and the half term in Feb so I'm trying to get that holiday back to contribute to when they put me on half pay. I'll be off again most likely before the end of summer term and not back till sometime in October, but I'm only going to get a sicknote for working days.
Depends on your school I guess, especially as Academies seem to make it up as they go along.
Like the pay scales, even on NJC pay scales it says it's only a guide & individual schools may adjust to suit them.
But try getting pay policy from HR! Even one of our governors couldn't get it.
Peter Dale
Dammit man! I'm a technician, not a magician!
See this is where my confusion came from. My letter of acceptance (which is the only thing I have as reference, since they can't find my contract) clearly states TTO, with no pluses or anything, so since my payslip has always stated 39 weeks, I always thought it was 39 teaching weeks, and just never counted it all out, since I assumed that HR knew what they were doing.
At least I now know.
At least I now know.
Mine is quite clear, copy/paste from contract
Your working year is 42 weeks per year. This consists of 38 weeks during school term time, 5 in service days and 3 weeks during the school holiday period.
Thankfully I can use in service days for whatever aside for when they insist I attend random meetings
Your working year is 42 weeks per year. This consists of 38 weeks during school term time, 5 in service days and 3 weeks during the school holiday period.
Thankfully I can use in service days for whatever aside for when they insist I attend random meetings
I'm TTO +5, which are our inset days