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Conditions of Service in Maintained Schools in Wales

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Contents

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The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document

The statutory requirements for teachers’ pay and conditions for maintained schools in England and Wales, which schools and local authorities (LAs) must abide by, are set out in the annually updated School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (new window), commonly known as the ‘Blue Book’. 

In July 2011 the Department for Education (DfE) carried out a consultation exercise on Sections 2 and 3 of the 2011 School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). You can read the NASUWT response to the STPCD consultation 2011.

Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales

The statutory requirements for teachers’ conditions of service for maintained schools in England and Wales, which schools and local authorities (LAs) must abide by, are set out in the Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales, commonly known as the ‘Burgundy Book’.

The Burgundy Book contains the following sections:

  • Appointment: Resignation: Retirement;
  • Sick Pay Scheme;
  • Maternity Scheme;
  • Other Leave;
  • Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures;
  • Miscellaneous Conditions.

It also includes information concerning the following:

  • Premature retirement compensation;
  • Memorandum of agreement for the release of teachers;
  • Agreement on facilities for representatives of recognised teachers' organisations;
  • Relations between teachers' organisations and LEAs: Collective disputes procedures;
  • Insurance and travelling allowances;
  • Teachers and the school meals service.

Pay and Performance Management

Information on pay, threshold and performance management for teachers who work in maintained schools in Wales can be found on the Wales - Maintained Schools Pay Advice webpage.

The National Agreement

On 15 January 2003 the historic National Agreement ‘Raising Standards and Tackling Workload’ was signed. The national Agreement delivered many beneficial changes to the Teacher’s contract and general working conditions, including:

  • guaranteed planning and preparation time;
  • time for leadership and management responsibilities;
  • a limit on cover for absent colleagues;
  • the transfer of administrative and clerical tasks to appropriate support staff;
  • a commitment to reduce working hours;
  • a commitment to work/life balance; and
  • support staff reform.

The Rewards and Incentives Group have produced an overview of the National Agreement entitled Headteachers and the National Agreement - a summary.

The Workforce Agreement Monitoring Group (WAMG), of which NASUWT is a member, produced a series of resources packs on key elements of the National Agreement, namely the Time for Standards: Remodelling cover - Resource pack (new window), Planning, Preparation and Assessment – Resource Pack (new window) and Invigilation Resource Pack (new window). WAMG also produced a series of WAMG Notes, Guidance for schools on higher level teaching assistant roles for school support staff and Guidance for Schools on Cover Supervision, which are all available on the Raising Standards and Tackling Workload webpage.

Family Friendly Rights

The NASUWT produces guidance for members with children on the provisions for maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave. The guidance also contains information on rights to time off for family and domestic reasons.

Members have the right to apply to work flexibly where they have:

  • children aged under 17;
  • disabled children aged under 18; or
  • carer responsibilities. 

The NASUWT has produced guidance on requesting Flexible working, and generally on Part-time work and job-share arrangements. 

The NASUWT, through the Rewards and Incentives Group, successfully negotiated the opportunity for teachers to participate in salary sacrifice schemes for childcare vouchers/benefits, cycles for work and mobile phones. There is a standard Salary sacrifice form on which employees can apply or express an interest.

Temporary workers and supply teachers

The NASUWT provides advice on the rights of Teachers who work on a temporary basis or fixed-term contracts.

Further information or assistance

Members needing further information or assistance should contact the Wales National Centre.