Organising working time and breaks

Understand the rules around directed time and download our directed time calculator to help you organise and allocate the 1,265 hours for your staff during the 2024/25 academic year. Also see examples of directed time budgets from schools.

Be clear on when you can introduce extra INSET days for teachers, and what you should consider before doing so.

Understand guidance around a part-time staff member attending meetings, including parents' evening and training events such as INSET days. See the rules for teachers and support staff, and read union advice.

Get to grips with the rules on working time for part-time teachers and be clear on their employment conditions under the STPCD. Use our template to make a case to change a part-time teacher’s working hours or days.

Understand your requirements around allowing support staff rest breaks. Find out what to do about pay if support staff members work through their break.

Find out what breaks your teachers are entitled to, and read guidance from the DfE, ASCL and expert HR providers.

Find out about staffing ratios required for break and lunchtimes, including which staff members you can ask to supervise pupils, and what you'll need to think about to help keep pupils safe.

Make the most of meetings with your whole-staff workforce by carefully considering their purpose. Find out how you can reduce the impact on their workload and understand the rules on the frequency of meetings.