Sick pay entitlements: teachers

Learn about sick pay terms for teachers, including who the Burgundy Book terms apply to and what they cover.

Last reviewed on 8 February 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 11146
Contents
  1. Who's covered under the Burgundy Book rules
  2. The Burgundy Book: key points
  3. What happens when a teacher …

Who's covered under the Burgundy Book rules

The Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales (the ‘Burgundy Book’) is a national agreement between teacher associations and local authorities (LAs) and so covers teachers in maintained schools. You can download a copy here.

Academy staff employed at the time of conversion from a maintained school keep their existing Burgundy Book terms on sick pay, under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations.

Academies and free schools may choose to set your own terms and conditions for new staff in your contract of employment, or renegotiate terms and conditions for existing staff. You’ll also need to clarify whether teaching service accrued in the maintained sector counts towards sick pay entitlements.

Read more about TUPE and schools in this guidance published by Acas.

  Does the Burgundy Book apply? Community Yes Foundation No* Voluntary aided No* Voluntary controlled Yes Academy (staff