Review of Annual Leave for school support staff
Devon County Council has been conducting a review of annual leave which included a survey of school leaders last year. We are now writing to inform you that it has been agreed that there will be an increase in leave entitlement for National Joint Council (NJC) school support staff and Chief Officers (Leadership Grades).
In recognition that school budgets are set for this year, it has been agreed that the implementation of the increase will be staggered over 2 years to minimise the impact on school budgets as the majority of support staff are term time only and therefore paid their leave. Staff on the same terms and conditions (NJC) should be treated the same so although the Local Authority did explore the possibility of differential arrangements for school support staff with the trade unions to minimise schools’ costs, it was not possible to reach agreement and legal advice supported this decision.
There was a ‘schools priority alert – mailbox email to all headteachers of maintained schools on Friday 21st May with full details of the annual leave increase and how it will be implemented.
The above changes are to be fully implemented by 1st April 2022 and do not apply to teachers who have a separate negotiating body.