No national guidance
There is no legislation from the DfE on probationary periods for teachers.
A DfE representative told The Key that it provides no specific guidance on whether schools can place teachers on probationary periods. You can contact the DfE here.
There's also no mention of probationary periods in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) or the Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales (the Burgundy Book).
Seek legal advice
Our associate expert, Lucinda Bell, advised that schools can likely employ teachers on probationary periods, due to the lack of guidance that says they can't. This includes both schools who follow the STPCD and the Burgundy Book, and schools who do not.
However, you should seek HR and legal advice when seeking to change teachers' contracts to include probationary periods, and always follow employment law.
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