Good question about contracts - I wish it was clear. I did ask for clarification ( in writing) but none came. Instead no further comment was made about me going shopping/ home/out etc. in my trapped time.
I have not always had trapped time. Its got worse in the last four years,although last year, I didnt have very much trapped at all. The year before - a lot but the then Head Teacher found out and my trapped time was paid for. We now have a new Head ( and a barstewardfor a DH , who is responsible for timetables and he has twice tried to get me dicsiplined for not attending INSET/ Meetings etc. on my non contract days.
I pointed this out to the new Head who seemed lost. He said he had never heard of "trapped time" and could not understand why a part time teacher thought they should work less than a full time one ( seriously).I was gobsmacked but clearly that is the way things are going.
However, other part timers are not so treated and I pointed this out - and I was not bothered about it until this week. Someteachers work second jobs and cannot come in. Others have family committments and have agreements to finish early etc. However, I too have a family but Iaccepted the three days for this year and expected to come and go as I always had ( when not contracted time)
I seem to be seen as full time staff - most forget I am part time because I am there constantly because of the trapped time.
No union rep - both left earlier this year.
I have not seen next years timetable yet. It may well force me to leave if DH doesas he threatened - make my time run over five days ( although for 8 years I had an agreement to work three) or he will trap time me again.
I do not think this is malicious,I think he is uninformed and ????
The Head is little betterI fear. He is already beleagured. SMT doing all they can to cross him....... staff who would support him if he would just discuss with them instead of his SMT.
My contract is not fractional.
It is for teaching periods only. New Head has "converted" this into " fractional" but not officially, no change in contract, but his idea of fraction is not what a fractional contract usually looks like. In fact a fractional contract would be twofulldays ( or equivelent) . My working periods are less than too days but its done over three by agreement for " flexibility ( but that was not to include trapped time).
Then there is the problem that some staff have different contracts ( which are part time fractional with free periods etc.) Mine does not. It just
designates teaching periods ( 16x 35mins to be precise). It was not even updated when the school changed length of day and length of periods in a school day.
Head seems oblivious. Nothing has been said. I am afraid to see him again in case I blot my copy book and get put on his black list of teachers he wants to get rid of because they are " not keeping with the spirit" of the school and " doing extra". But he does not define precisely what this extra is. Some full time staff do nothing. Some part time arelike ( use your own adjective) and some , like me,just want to know where we stand.
I am ,as far as I know, the only one who has been told to do three full days ( or rather has been slotted into an activity for that).
Sorry about the whinge.
I like my job and the school but whilst it has a bit of reputation on MN, the reputation is not for poor staff relations...... and its improving in the eyes of parents. I am not trying to be difficult. I just want to know where I standif it comes to a show down.
All I really want is the conditions I have been employed under for the last eighjt years, some ofwhich was spoken not written but included not working when not contracted and going home when day was finished ( and in activities week I was always exmted and just had to be in school -I could attach to activities if a body was needed but I did not have to be there and go out all day , out of contract time)