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PPA Question...

1 reply

Teddy275 · 24/11/2019 08:28

Hi all, just hoping for some speedy knowledgeable advice as the official guidance is a bit murky and I need to write a response email by tomorrow...

My job share teacher and I have ppa at the same time as the other year 2 teacher. It's the only official time we all have to 'touch base' with each other and, as we all know, ppa time is precious as it is.

My job share is also inclusion leader, so is often called away for issues linked to this, despite having separate dedicated time- such is the nature of the job, completely understandable.

We have a new headteacher who has (thankfully) stamped down on management carrying out any kind of monitoring outside their directed time (it was getting ridiculous with people booking whole half days out the classroom to monitor three classes etc)

I completely understand the need for monitoring but we are now getting lots of requests from various leaders to 'meet' with us during our own ppa time to catch up on various things linked to their leadership. It's obviously easier for them to nip out of the classroom and leave a TA covering for 20-30mins than use their own sessions but I get the impression that the headteacher is not actually aware this is happening. I think we probably get it asked more as they can talk to all three of us together whereas other teachers can probably meet after school on more occasions (although they have still had a few requests for meetings in their ppa time, it's not exclusive to us)

The last thing I want to do is cause trouble for anybody, we are all overloaded as it is but I don't see why our time should be compromised over theirs? So I guess my question is.. is this allowed? I don't want to rock the boat unless I know that I am backed by the guidance on the do's and don'ts of ppa time. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
thebookeatinggirl · 24/11/2019 10:10

That's really tough. But PPA should not be directed in any way - no meetings, no monitoring. You should be allowed to use the time under your own compete discretion ( presumably as long as you are at an LEA school working under STPCD).

I do understand the pressures of Leadership needing to monitor and discuss curriculum and learning, but it definitely shouldn't be in your PPA time. Lots of schools timetable staff meetings every now and then for this, or have KS meetings that include monitoring and moderation. In the bigger scheme of things it's always going to be time you need to find/give, but PPA, especially when it's specifically ring-fenced for you, your job share and your partner teacher to plan and prepare, should not be used.

Can you email Head and/or the SLT members requesting meetings, and ask if there could be a staff meeting set aside for this, as people do need to do it but you are not able to meet during PPA as that time is for you and your year group team?

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