Both new and experienced teachers recognise that having time away from students during the school day is crucial for thriving in their profession and enjoying their classroom experience.
Every teacher is entitled to PPA time—dedicated periods for planning, preparation, and assessment. This guide explains the details of PPA time and how you can make the most of it as a teacher.
What is PPA time?
In education, PPA stands for planning, preparation, and assessment time. Teachers are allocated this time to organise and complete tasks essential for supporting their students' learning.
PPA time isn't exclusive to classroom teachers; it's also a right for members of the senior leadership team and others with student-related responsibilities.
How much time is available for PPA time?
According to The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Order published by the UK Government, teachers are entitled to 'reasonable periods' of PPA time to 'enable the discharge of the professional responsibilities' of teaching and assessment.
This document stipulates that PPA time must comprise 10% of a teacher's timetabled teaching time. Importantly, teachers shouldn't be asked to perform any other duties during their PPA time.
Are part-time teachers entitled to PPA time?
Yes, part-time teachers are entitled to PPA time. Their allocation is calculated as 10% of their timetabled work hours, to be scheduled during their teaching time.
What about teachers with leadership responsibilities?
Teachers with leadership responsibilities are also entitled to PPA time, amounting to 10% of their timetabled teaching hours.
Additionally, teachers with leadership roles, such as assistant or deputy heads and headteachers, should be given time during the school day to complete tasks related to their level of responsibility.
These time periods should be clearly defined in their timetable to ensure they have dedicated time for their duties.
How to make effective use of your PPA time
As a professional teacher, you're the best judge of how to spend your PPA time. However, understanding how other teachers use this time can help you manage your workload and reduce stress.
PPA time is provided for planning, preparation, and assessment tasks. Many teachers use it to plan for the upcoming week or fortnight, helping them allocate their time efficiently.
For instance, you might use your PPA time to create worksheets, photocopy resources for the next day, or mark books and assessments for the following week. You can also plan out your lessons and organise the required resources for upcoming periods.
Ultimately, it's wise to use your PPA time to complete planning and preparation tasks that will enable you to deliver effective lessons and interact productively with your students.
