Your career and pay questions answered by John Howson
Q
I work in an independent school and teach all day. I don’t get a mid-morning break and am expected to supervise students eating lunch. Can I refuse to do such a duty and am I entitled to a meal break?
A
Teachers in maintained schools are not required to undertake midday supervision and must be allowed a break of “reasonable length” between school sessions or between noon and 2pm. Unless your contract of employment states the contrary, this is a good starting point. As you work in the independent sector, you will need to see what was said about lunchtime supervision duties when you were first employed. It would be unreasonable not to allow you a lunchbreak, but what is “reasonable” is always open to discussion.
Who to contact about health and safety issues at school? Your first point of contact should be your professional association. It will have representatives who have been trained in health and safety matters. If you need more advice, contact the Health and Safety Commission at www.hse.gov.uk.
Q
I recently moved to a new part of the country. I resigned as head of department but have had little success in obtaining a main scale post. All the permanent posts seem to go to NQTs or staff with only a couple of years’ experience. I don’t want to apply for another management post but feel that nobody will employ me as a classroom teacher. What can I do?
A
As schools must pay for their own staffing, it is logical that they will try to make their cash go as far as possible. A less expensive teacher means the school has more money for other things. Even if you don’t want another management post, it may be that you have other skills to offer a school in addition to classroom teaching that will persuade them to consider offering you a permanent post. Otherwise you are likely to face a future of temporary and supply work until you can find a school that is prepared to offer you a permanent contract.
John Howson is visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University and managing director of Education Data Surveys. Do you have a career question for him? Email: susan.young@newsint.co.uk
