Powell considers four-day schedules and higher pay for teachers
Government plans could let full-time teachers in council-run schools complete their contracted hours over four days, while schools remain open for five. Education Secretary Lucy Powell has proposed clarifying the rules to give school leaders more flexibility, amid concerns that rigid working patterns are driving experienced teachers out of the profession.
The proposal would allow teachers to work their 1,265 directed hours across fewer days, within the existing limit of 195 working days a year, including five training days. Schools could arrange for some staff to work on the fifth day so pupils continue to receive a full education; teachers would not be required to work more days or hours. Ministers are also considering lifting the salary ceiling, while wider changes to working hours have been ruled out of the review.
In short
- Teachers in council-run schools could complete contracted hours over four days.
- Schools would still open five days a week.
- A possible salary ceiling increase is also under consideration.
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The case for
Allowing teachers to complete their contracted hours over four days could give schools a practical way to retain experienced staff who might otherwise leave, without reducing pupils’ scheduled time in school. Greater flexibility over how staff cover the fifth day, alongside higher pay, could make teaching more attractive while leaving local leaders to organise provision around their pupils’ needs.
The case against
A four-day pattern could make it harder for schools to maintain consistent staffing and cover across the week, particularly where budgets or recruitment make it difficult to arrange fifth-day cover. Critics could also argue that raising pay or changing schedules may not address deeper workload pressures, and that flexibility for some teachers could create uneven arrangements for colleagues or disrupt continuity for pupils.
Explained simply
Council-run schools in England set teachers’ work under national rules, including a limit of 1,265 hours a year when they can be directed to teach, plan or attend meetings. Teachers also work up to 195 days each year, including five training days.
The Department for Education, led by Education Secretary Lucy Powell, is considering how schools could arrange those hours. The proposal would allow some full-time teachers to work them across four days while schools stay open five days, with staff cover arranged for the remaining day.
Ministers are also considering removing the upper limit on teacher salaries. The questions matter to schools trying to retain experienced staff and to pupils who need lessons throughout the school week.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Teachers may get a four-day week… and a pay rise too”.