Just wondered, as I’ve been treated to some comments about being “allowed” out of school without HT “permission” and making use of non-contact time to do trivial things such as shopping. Anyone still need to ask permission or not allowed out of school for “McCrone” time?

Posted by zytec

Yes seren, last school I was in had some quaint system whereby you had to “sign out” with the office staff. Oh, and you had to inform your PT and Fac Head. Some mumblings were made about fire rosters and general health and safety, very unconvincing.

Posted by carol75

It was a hassle doing it at my previous school. I had to ask permission from DHT in advance (to go to education centre to pick up resources) and the HT still tried to pull me up, because she was looking for me.

Posted by Lord 3

Work that does not require a teacher to be in school can be done at a time and place of the teacher’s choosing. All that is needed is a polite mention to SMT that you will be off site - for obvious health and safety reasons.

Posted by ScotSEN

Sometimes it’s easier to work in school - saves on carting all the stuff home with me. I also got fed up printing out stuff at home.

Posted by grunwald

My HT’s on record at a staff meeting as saying he doesn’t like McCrone time. To be fair, if you go through the rigmarole of checking the day before that you won’t be needed to cover planned absences - phone in on the day in question if you’re planning an a.m. absence - then you’ll probably get it.

Another barrier he tried to put up to keep PTs in school was that they were responsible for departmental discipline and had to find a fellow PT willing to take on referrals in their absence. (There could be no question of referring problems to SMT!! - who are already far too busy with countless strategic tasks, apart from corridor patrols and canteen supervision, that is).

Posted by jonowen

That’s what they invented facheads for - the penny has dropped at last!

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