Part-time teachers' working time

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.

Last reviewed on 12 December 2023
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 1981
Contents
  1. How to calculate pro-rata working hours 
  2. Rules on working hours 
  3. Give part-time staff a statement of expectations
  4. You must consider requests to work part-time
  5. Changing a teacher’s working days: use our template

How to calculate pro-rata working hours 

For teachers employed under the STPCD 

The pro-rata percentage of the school’s timetabled teaching week for which a part-time teacher is employed at your school is calculated using the timetabled teaching week of a full-time classroom teacher. 

This percentage is then used to determine the pro-rata proportion of a full-time teacher’s pay to which a part-time teacher is entitled.

"Timetabled teaching week” means school session hours timetabled for teaching. 

It includes:

  • PPA time
  • Other non-contact time

It doesn't include:

  • Break times
  • Registration
  • Assemblies

This is set out on pages 72 and 73, paragraph 42 of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). There’s an example of how to calculate these figures in paragraph 43. 

Academies not following the STPCD 

As you may define the week differently, you should seek advice from your HR provider.

This section sets out guidance for teachers employed under the